Takeaway
Canadian Prime Minister Carney delivered a speech for the ages in Davos. Though focused on world order, his forward-thinking call to action also applies to health systems seeking to better serve patients.
Lifelong Learning in Clinical Excellence | February 6, 2026 | 2 min read
By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine
Mark Carney’s recent speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos was praised all over the world. (Click here to watch it.) His key points about economics and making the world better can be applied to the challenges facing medicine. Here are five broad lessons that can be extracted from Carney’s message that are relevant for high-quality patient care in medicine:
1. Integration of sustainability principles
Just as Carney emphasizes the need for sustainability in the economy, high-quality patient care should also focus on sustainable practices. This includes not only environmentally sustainable practices in healthcare settings, but also sustainable care models that promote long-term health outcomes for patients, and sustainable approaches that aren’t overly taxing or stressful on the healthcare workforce.
2. Collaboration across disciplines
Carney emphasizes the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders to address global challenges. In medicine, interdisciplinary collaboration among nurses, doctors, therapists, pharmacists, case managers, and all other team members can lead to improved clinical outcomes. Such approaches increase the likelihood that patients receive care that’s holistic and comprehensive.
3. Upholding individual significance
Carney regularly stresses the importance of prioritizing the needs of individuals. This of course can be applied to patient care. High-quality healthcare should be tailored to the individual needs of patients, emphasizing shared decision-making, and personalized treatment plans that respect patient preferences and values. These ideas are fundamental to patient-centered care and humanizing medicine.
4. Risk management and proactive strategies
Carney discussed the need to thoughtfully manage financial risks and to strategically adapt to change. Applying this to the individuals under our care, healthcare professionals should try to identify potential health risks in patients, leading to earlier interventions that can prevent the progression of diseases and improve outcomes. At the health system level, implementing more robust risk management practices can enhance patient safety, earn greater community trust, and ensure that we are poised to respond effectively to public health challenges.
5. Leveraging technology for better outcomes
Carney is bullish about embracing technological innovation to overcome challenges. In healthcare, leveraging technology—such as telemedicine, electronic health records, and AI-driven diagnostic tools—can enhance care delivery, improve patient monitoring, and facilitate better management of chronic conditions.
While Carney will be busy for a while dealing with the “rupture” in the international order, his economic and political plans offer guidance on how to improve healthcare delivery and promote better health outcomes for patients.
This piece expresses the views solely of the author. It does not necessarily represent the views of any organization, including Johns Hopkins Medicine.