Much of the discussion at the Practice Enhancement Program May 20 - 21 in Spokane, Wash., centered on teamwork.
"The team approach is the best way to make changes in the office -- better than the command-and-control approach," said Bruce Bagley, M.D., a member of the PEP faculty. "Otherwise, the physician may become an authorization bottleneck."
Nurture the Team for Best Results
By Sheri Porter • Spokane, Wash.
Working as a team, FP Lucien Megna, M.D., center; nurse Vicki Howard, R.N., left; and office manager Patti Swartz discuss their practice goal of improved care for hypertensive patients.
That said, consider these teamwork tips offered by PEP faculty member Cindy Manning, M.A., the training coordinator for Cascade Health Solutions in Eugene, Ore.:
- Keep the team small.
- Get the right people on the team.
- Connect each member's passion to the team mission.
- Understand that conflict is part of (and good for) a healthy team.
- Relabel mistakes as "learning opportunities."
- Realize that people bring past baggage from changes that didn't work.
- Find a time and place to meet (not e-mail or a pizza parlor).
- Utilize the consensus rule; it's a way of building relationships.
- Recognize that teamwork is an ongoing maintenance chore.
In addition, said Manning, watch for these red flags as signs that your team is spinning its wheels: lack of accountability, low commitment and enthusiasm, conflict avoidance, and low trust.
Every team needs a sponsor, a leader who has resources, authority and desire. Think of Mother Teresa as a good team sponsor, said Manning, referring to the missionary who worked with the poor in India. "She aligned her work to her vision."
Every team needs a sponsor, a leader who has resources, authority and desire. Think of Mother Teresa as a good team sponsor, said Manning, referring to the missionary who worked with the poor in India. "She aligned her work to her vision."
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