04 Jun Getting to know you with Cat Barnett and Sean Deans
As recent additions to the OVID Health team, Cat, Executive Director and Sean, Account Director did their own take on The Guardian’s ‘Blind Date’ feature, grabbed a coffee and got to know each other better. Here’s what they had to say…
Cat on Sean
As you’re on the cusp of the Millennials and Gen Z, how do you think younger colleagues can work better together and with Gen X?
I think we need to take the time to better understand each other. That might sound over-simplistic, but I believe direct and deeper conversations across the generations to discuss intergenerational challenges and differences are key.
Within a working context, the message is to champion humility for all concerned. There needs to be an acknowledgement by Millennials and Gen X that their Gen Z colleagues’ views, perspectives and experiences are valuable, and to embrace this as a learning opportunity. Every generation has a lot to offer, but just because something worked in the past doesn’t mean it works now. Maybe we need more ‘reverse mentoring’?
Does antimicrobial resistance (AMR) – as one of the leading causes of death around the world – keep you up at night and what do you think can be done to raise awareness of the issues?
The short answer is ‘no’, but there’s no doubt it’s become more front of mind than ever before; informing how I behave and the conversations I have.
The fewer effective antibiotics we have (and there are very few in the pipeline currently!), the riskier routine surgeries and medical procedures that we take for granted, become. Until you or loved ones are facing this issue in an emergency situation, it might not hit home.
In terms of raising awareness of the issues, we can learn a lot from the COVID pandemic and leapfrog with communications and policy initiatives that have been proven to be effective. It’s critical that we increase public education and action on AMR, from youngsters to the elderly. We need to focus on where positive efforts are working and recreate them. Policies should be framed to reinvigorate and incentivise pharma and biotech to create new antibiotics.
The WHO and the UN Global leaders Group on AMR are doing great work in this space, but we need to work more closely with governments to do more at a national level. It’s such a big topic, and it’s hard to capture the message within short soundbites.
What’s your recommendation for the best travel destination?
The food, history, culture and geography – it has to be Italy. I’ve been several times and never had a bad experience. Having visited Sienna, Florence, Lucca and Pisa, I’d say Tuscany is probably top of the list, though Amalfi and Sicily are also highlights.
I am heavily biased though. I studied ancient and medieval history at university, which naturally drew me to Italy – so much so that I ended up doing an archaeological dig near Salerno based around the discovery of an 8th century Byzantine fresco, which only cemented my enjoyment of the country.
Sean on Cat
Given your experience in healthcare communications, what’s one “do” and one “don’t” you would share with anyone working, or thinking about working, in the sector?
DO: Ask lots of questions and network. Everyone in the healthcare sector has something of value to share. The more input you have, the more understanding you have about the complexities of our industry, and the more ideas and solutions you can work up. We need more reformers and different thinkers in our industry.
DON’T: Take the path of least resistance. Instead experiment, take calculated risks and learn fast. Yes, you will make mistakes, but you will learn a lot more. Obviously, we work in healthcare, and I am not suggesting we flout compliance codes. But don’t stay in line – look for opportunities to be unconventional and have some fun with it. It will make what you do far more interesting and competent at your job.
Mental health issues are more prevalent and present in the public conversation than ever – given the many conditions under this banner, should we be striving for a more specific conversation, or is a holistic approach the best way to continue progress?
Watching ‘Beckham’ on Netflix recently, the abuse he experienced after his red card at the Argentina match in the World Cup in 1998 and for many years after, reminded me just how far we’ve come in making mental health part of public discourse today. It’s undeniable progress.
My view is that one is not exclusive to the other. We need a dual strategy: continue a unified, broad strategy to reduce stigma, build acceptance, advocacy and momentum. And simultaneously foster a deeper understanding of specific mental health conditions. We need a more informed and engaged general public, capable of grasping the intricacies of different mental health conditions.
Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia are vastly different conditions with unique challenges and needs, requiring tailored interventions. Each has nuances that can be critical for research, treatment, policy-making. Specificity in mental health will lead to more targeted funding and resource allocation, better training for professionals, more effective advocacy and more precise public awareness campaigns. We’re making progress on a more personalised approach to healthcare generally, so why should mental health be different?
What one book would you recommend and why?
Difficult question – as there’s so much choice. But okay, I have always loved books by disrupters with ideas, who want to make the world better. So, I recommend anything by Rutger Bregman, the Dutch historian, author and journalist. His most recent book, Humankind: A Hopeful History, is a reason to be positive about humanity, challenge ourselves to think differently about a problem and let in new ideas – especially in these very challenging times.