Cultivate communication with the medical staff

Dear Medical Staff Leader:

Sometimes raising communication levels between the medical staff office and the medical staff needs a little push. Today, many physicians do not come to the hospital on a regular basis and are unfamiliar with the MSO staff members. Consider sponsoring social events and creating a medical staff idea board to improve communication among the medical staff.

In addition, in many hospitals, chasms exist between the medical staff, administration, and the board and hinder communication and operations. You might recommend that the chief of staff and the chief executive officer (CEO) sponsor quarterly social events that bring medical staff, administration, and board members together to foster cooperation and camaraderie.

These social events shouldn't mimic traditional general staff meetings. Instead, they should be informal gatherings, such as cocktail hours or pizza lunches, that encourage physicians to mingle with administrators and board members. When successful, these social events augment traditional staff meetings. There is no agenda but open discussion and communication is informal.

Remember when planning events to invite medical staff members, administration, and board members well in advance of the event so they may plan their schedules accordingly. Also remind them by posting notices in appropriate places, such as the physician lounge or medical staff bulletin board, or by e-mailing their office managers.

Consider asking the CEO to briefly address attendees at each social event to thank them for participating. If social events are particularly well attended by physicians, consider including important announcements concerning medical staff and hospital activities.

That's all for this week!

All the best,

Beverly Pybus, CPMSM
The Greeley Company
http://www.greeley.com/seminars