You know, there are quite of few of them: Analyses. Reports. Workgroups. Conferences. Consensus findings. All about the future of medical research and innovation, most backed by expertise.

This is a good thing. We always want to meet, work together and grow the platform!

With the risk of sounding harsh, it’s also a hindrance at times.

For instance, I know when I’m involved in familiar work, and especially if I’m under pressure, decisions come naturally. With bigger, intricate, often confusing machine-like issues, however, I’ve had to learn to limit my own analyses. It’s not because I want to shortchange myself on information gathering and data. It’s because we know that all too often, it is easier to remain indecisive while “analyzing”. Data can have limits to what it provides. Plus, data is often presented in various media with the same conclusions, and while it may be a badge for the media publisher, these duplications can be inefficient in information gathering.

So when I review analytical papers and summaries of conferences, I’d like to see more action and evaluation in periodic follow ups. We can’t get there without good decision making.

I think it’s time for us, collectively, to take a hard look at our collective decision making, especially when it comes to broad policies. When reports are submitted year after year by various expert groups, and some general similarities are obvious, why aren’t we just making policy decisions?

If we continue to look for the absolute perfect approach to intellectual property or open access for medical journals? We’re not going to find it.

Nothing is perfect in these fields, and everything has advantages and disadvantages.

So it’s time to start making decisions in the manner that we find in our other professions. Do we need to make split-second, police or military decisions? No. But do we need to analyze these policy proposals over and over again, as if we are a personal think tank? No. That’s insulting to the think tanks we’ve already employed to solve the issues at the best of their abilities.

We have answers and strategies.

We even have them globally.

Nothing is perfect. It’s time to make decisions like a pro, knowing that we are going to make the best decision we could at the time.

When we continue to be afraid to deal with disadvantages or unpopular career politics that result, we send the message that our fear is more important than progress. We also send the message that we’re willing to please no one instead of displeasing some at various times, and displeasing some is inevitable.

Make the decisions, deal with the unpopular shortcomings of the resulting policies, and continue to move forward. The best way to do this is together, just like when we pull our data from collective sources. Refrain from pointing fingers at post-decision criticism, and most importantly: stick together.

Remember that the name of the game is stronger and better medical research and innovation.

Honestly, I believe this is one of the best ways forward for medical research. I know we can do it, as long as we remain determined.