Collaborative DNA

July 4th, 2011 by Kenneth Cohn

“I suggest that we fire the Medical Executive Committee President to send a strong message after their vote of ‘no confidence’ in our CEO,” said one of the Board members.

“You have to cut off the head of the snake,” said another Board member

“What if the snake turns out to be a salamander or a tadpole,” I asked

An uncomfortable silence ensued.   I continued ”Amphibians, unlike reptiles, are capable of regeneration.  Firing the Medical Staff President risks alienating the rest of the medical staff further and could make the situation worse rather than better.”

“What do you recommend?” asked another Board member

“Give them collaborative options,” I said, remembering what one of my surgical mentors had told me, that all gladiators had choices.

Together, we brainstormed ways that we might meet together with a facilitator to discuss whether we could collaborate by building on past successes or finding quick wins that might bring hospital leaders and physicians closer together for the benefit of their community.  As I mentioned in a previous post, it is too early to predict the outcome.  These processes often play out over years.

For those who wonder where my analogy came from, I quip that I have amphibian DNA because, having worked in 41 states, I have encountered hidden mines and have no alternative other than to regenerate after being surprised that something that was relatively easy in one hospital presents a huge barrier to overcome in another.  It is the price we pay to have the privilege to serve healthcare professionals facing hospital-physician and/or physician-physician collaborative challenges.

  • What hidden minefields have you encountered?
  • How have you dealt with surprise?
  • Do you agree with what my grandmother told me, that “the Lord never gives us more than we can handle, in retrospect?”
    In return, I asked her, “How will I know when I’m in retrospect?”

As always, I welcome your input to improve healthcare collaboration where you work.

Kenneth H. Cohn

© 2011, all rights reserved

Disclosure:

I have not received any compensation for writing this content. I have no material connection to the brands, topics and/or products that are mentioned herein.

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