Newsletter
Simplicity2023-04-15
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”
—Leonardo Da Vinci
Life is a series of choices. In the modern world, we are faced with an increasing number of choices, which can lead to uncertainty, paralysis, and fragmentation of attention. Those that are successful in life learn to say no, automate, and simplify their life, so they can spend their time on the 20% that is truly important, and not get side-tracked by the 80% that is not.
In medicine, expert clinicians learn to say no to different diagnostic possibilities, automate how they do routine tasks, and simplify the treatment, so that the patients can comply, benefit, and not be confused. This successful approach is made easier by quantitative measures, objective laboratory tests, and personalized treatment plans.
We have worked hard to bring similar tools to mental health, which has been an area of many different diagnostic possibilities, ad hoc approaches to routine tasks, and complex treatments. Measuring how people feel and think with an app, having a liquid biopsy for the mind laboratory test, and using that to guide personalized treatment choices. Making things simple is not easy. It took us two decades of academic research, and the work is ongoing. We are encouraged that precision medicine is being promoted in psychiatry, finally. It will transform the field, as it has done for oncology.
Live. Happier. Longer.