How Then Shall We Connect?
“Nothing new that is really interesting comes without collaboration.” James D. Watson (discoverer of the double-helix structure of DNA with Francis Crick)
In the February 27th blog, "How Do We Gather Together When We No Longer Do?", I expressed concern regarding the worsening impersonal nature of healthcare delivery and the disconnection between both intraspecialty and interspecialty colleagues, all with negative consequences for patient care. As this dynamic has been exacerbated by both the advent of the electronic health record and the COVID pandemic, I raised this question to tap into the collective wisdom of our PeerRxMed community: “At a time when regular physical (or virtual) gathering may not be practical or even desired, how might we gain more familiarity and connection with those whom we regularly share in patient care?” and promised to follow-up with some highlights from those responses in a future blog.
The responses from colleagues in our PeerRxMed collective were heartening and revealed a common theme: More meaningful professional connection will not happen without both explicit intention and initiative taking. Here are a few examples (which I have edited):
“I especially feel this disconnection being a PCP affiliated with a large health system. I don't actually know to whom I am referring my patients most of the time! What I have done to better connect is to briefly respond to the notes that consultants send in the EHR, often with a simple, ‘Thank you, this was very helpful.’ To my surprise, I often get a response back with more detail or nuance. The direct notes help us remember one another as well.”
“As a subspecialist, referrals are my lifeblood and communication with my referring colleagues essential. One thing I have done for many years is to reach out (preferably via video or phone) and personally welcome each new primary care clinician who comes into the community. I also give them my personal cell number so they can call or text with questions. The care is better, and, not surprisingly, business is booming.”
“I work as part of a larger health system which has experienced much turnover. I “started small” by getting to know one or two colleagues in each department where I regularly refer and would send them questions preferentially. During COVID we would meet for 5-10 minutes via video just as an introduction. Over time I have expanded that network as needed. It helps to not even try to remember all the colleagues in any department or section and the connections I do have help me navigate in their department when they feel a colleague would be better suited for a particular question.”
“The hospital system where I was employed set up an event where the PCP’s could meet many of the specialists in a sort of “speed dating” set up. PCPs sat on one side of the table across from a specialist on the other side, moving down every few minutes to meet or re-acquaint themselves with another specialist. This was received very well and was actually a lot of fun.”
As you can see, it would seem that connection only happens through … connecting! Which led to an insightful question from one of our colleagues: “How do you get introverts or those who are less comfortable socially to connect?” His suggestions included carved out time on committees, community service activities, and empowering “super connectors” to bring a couple of providers together for lunch or coffee around a particular topic.
What becomes obvious in all the responses is that, despite a narrative promoted by some administrative leaders that clinicians are “interchangeable parts,” those who do this work recognize the essential nature of personal relationships to promote optimal patient care. And doing so makes our work much more enjoyable and meaningful. I’m in ….