CARF Preparation

CARF Preparation, Physician Education, Rehab Physical Medicine

Well here we go into a new year! It seems as though I just got used to writing 2013! Now I have to work on 2014! Cheers to cognitive flexibility and learning!

The last discussion of 2013 was about vision statements that answer the question of “Why we are here?” As your organization embraces CARF preparation it is important to understand where the mission statement and core values fit in. So, let’s explore the mission statement and core values.

The mission statement talks about the present and defines how you will get to where you want to be. What you do may change as time goes by but will always tie back to the vision for the organization/program. Doctors may not know it, but they do care about the mission statement because it answers the question, “What do we do?” Many of us are most comfortable with the here and now and have a large investment in what we do as it impacts our day-to-day lives. Put in this context, doctors are usually quick to get involved in a discussion about the organization’s/program’s mission!

With vision and mission statements covered, what are core values and where do they fit in? Core values are several statements that describe the principles that drive the organization’s/program’s internal conduct as well as its relationship to the world. The core values encompass the ethics, principals, and beliefs of the organization/program.

Hmmmm…….adding core values to the mix always confuses me. However, I have found that if I pay attention in the world, many of the companies that we regularly deal with put these principles out to the world. For example, I found myself ordering boots for me during the holidays (when I was supposed to be shopping for my family, what is that about?). The boots arrived from Zappos.com and as I excitedly, albeit somewhat embarrassed, tore open the box, I noticed on the side of the mailing box, “Zappos Family Core Value #8: Do More With Less.”

Core values are probably absolute and unalterable principles such as honesty, respect, and continual self-improvement. I think when we stop to think about what principles drive our organization’s/program’s internal conduct as well as its relationship to the world, they are pretty easy to identify.

Clearly vision, mission, and core values work in harmony. The vision statement describes what the organization/program wants to be in the future, the mission statement describes what the organization/program wants now, and the core values guide an organization’s/program’s internal conduct as well as its relationship with the external world.

If you need help in engaging your doctors with creating the vision, mission, and core values, contact Donna Jo Blake, MD, BRB Consulting, Inc. for physician-to-physician guidance and training. As your doctors take ownership of the vision, mission, and core values of the organization/program, they will become more effective program advocates and leaders.

CARF Preparation, Physician Education, Rehab Physical Medicine, Vision Statement

Vision Statement-CARF Preparation for Physicians

We have a “vision statement”, so what?

I thought I’d write about “vision statements” today because this comes up so often in discussions with leadership, especially when discussing where to place resources. It’s an important concept but how many of us have been taught to write a vision statement or to even think in these terms? I know most doctors I’ve talked to about a “vision statement” for their organization or program are bored as soon as the words leave my lips!

But doctors do care about the vision of their organization/program, because they care about the future of that organization/program!

The vision statement answers the question of “Why are we here?” It paints a vivid and clear picture of the future of the organization and/or program. As described by Simon Sinek in his Framework of the Golden Circle, the clarity of WHY provides purpose, cause or belief and serves as the single driving motivation for action. (http://www.startwithwhy.com/portals/0/why_u_course/pdfs/c1_framework.pdf)

The vision statement communicates to the world the reasons for what we do and does not change when the market changes. The vision statement talks about the organization/program’s future. As you and your doctors communicate with leadership, stakeholders, persons served or one another you must know why you exist!

If you need help in engaging your doctors with creating the vision statement, contact Donna Jo Blake, MD, BRB Consulting, Inc. for physician-to-physician guidance and training. As your doctors take ownership of the vision of the organization/program, they will become more effective program advocates and leaders.

CARF Preparation, Physician Education, Processes for Provision of Services, Rehab Physical Medicine

Processes for Provision of Services

Happy autumn! This is my favorite time of year with crisp temperatures and beautiful colors! I’ve gotten to travel some this autumn and see how autumn dresses in different parts of the country. This is the Animas River near the San Juan Mountains.

In my travels, a couple of weeks ago, I was discussing the future processes for provision of rehabilitation services with a group developing a new rehabilitation facility. Someone in the group asked what “processes for provision of services” meant. The question made me hesitate because I thought it was obvious. (I thought I knew what I was talking about…..but….) .

Yikes! After I did a little research about processes for provision of services I realize that this is not an obvious concept. Each of us doctors has our own experiences with processes for provision of services that began when we were medical students. These experiences were primarily within the curative model of care. As we are now providing physical medicine & rehabilitation care, we work in a model of care that may include some curative aspects of care but definitely includes restorative care. So…….what processes for provision of services are used?

I think for the doctors in your program/organization, what is important is that CARF expects that an interdisciplinary, patient-centered approach be used.

If you need help in assisting your doctors understanding of interdisciplinary, patient-centered services contact Donna Jo Blake, MD, BRB Consulting, Inc. for physician-to-physician guidance and training.

CARF Preparation, Physician Education, Rehab Physical Medicine, Scope of Services

By the way, what are our “scope of services”?

I picked the “scope of services” as my discussion topic today because I am frequently surprised that the really smart doctors who I interview during CARF surveys are perplexed by questions regarding their scope of services. I have found that with simple conversation about what these doctors do and…..maybe….a few leading questions, the doctors usually discover that in fact they do know their scope of services.

Why is scope of services such an alien concept to doctors? I don’t know for sure but I think it is most often that the doctors are not familiar with the concept of “scope of services” rather than they do NOT KNOW what services are provided and not provided by their program/organization.

Below I have provided a basic description of scope of services. Share this with your doctors and then get your doctors involved in defining the “scope of services” for their programs/organization.

The scope provides information that helps describe what services the program/organization has to offer. The scope distinguishes the program/organization so that persons served, families, or referral sources can determine whether the services offered would meet their needs, in what setting the services are offered, the hours and days the services are provided, and fees involved.

Why should the doctors be involved in defining the scope of services?

Doctors provide the medical care for the scope of services offered by your program/organization. Their knowledge and skills play an important role in defining the scope of services.
Doctors working in physical medicine and rehabilitation depend on a team to provide comprehensive services. They must know what is and is not available for their patients.

Once you and your doctors have defined the scope of services offered, then it is important that you share this information with interested parties. Interested parties include persons served, families/support systems, referral sources, payers and funding sources, and the general public.

Now that the doctors are clear about the scope of services, get them involved in sharing this information with those folks critical to your program’s well-being and growth. Doctors can be a powerful force in getting the word out!

If you need help in engaging your doctors with defining the scope of services, contact Donna Jo Blake, MD, BRB Consulting, Inc. for physician-to-physician guidance and training.

CARF Preparation, Physician Education, Rehab Physical Medicine, Stakeholders, Uncategorized

Who are stakeholders and why do they matter?

Stakeholders – Do your doctors know them?

Stakeholders are the individuals or groups who have an interest in the activities and outcomes of your organization and its programs and services.

Why are stakeholders important?

Stakeholders are critical to the health of organizations and programs.
Without stakeholders’ interest, satisfaction, and support of services, there would be no demand for your services and your programs would not survive!
High stakeholder interest, satisfaction, and support of programs reinforce your services and the programs as essential.

Why should your doctors get to know your stakeholders?

Doctors are in natural leadership roles as the medical directors of your programs
A strong relationship between your doctors and stakeholders arms the doctors with information to support your services and implement change

Get your doctors involved with your stakeholders!

If you need help in engaging your doctors with stakeholders, contact Donna Jo Blake, MD for physician-to-physician guidance and training. As your doctors become better acquainted with stakeholders and the role stakeholders play in the health of the organization, your doctors will become more effective program advocates and leaders.

CARF Preparation, Performance Improvement

Can you believe it- the New Year is around the corner?

Where does time go? It’s hard to believe that 2012 will be here in just two weeks. The year has held numerous challenges for rehabilitation providers. These may have been in the form of funding issues, staffing issues or even in a clinical nature.

For some of us, there were challenges of a personal nature. Yet, part of the beauty of rehabilitation is the hope that it inspires. As you look to begin the next year, consider the projects that need to be done, the opportunities for improvement that need to be addressed, and take a deep breath.

Taking first things first, start thinking about the plan. Then consider activities that need to occur to achieve the goals. Maybe it’s time to start thinking about CARF, or quality improvement plans or alternative staffing patterns. Over the last couple of months, we have offered several ideas for planning in previous blogs. We’ll be happy to talk with you to develop a specialized approach for your organization-feel free to contact us anytime for a free consultation.

BRB Consulting thanks our clients, our associates and our friends for a great 2011.

We wish you and yours a happy and healthy new year!