The term culture is thrown around a lot in healthcare, largely discussed in the setting of an overall organization. However, culture change begins at the individual level, Mr. Collard suggested.
One step further, Mr. Collard asked why such culture change is necessary. Why are organizations looking toward cultures of high performance?
To answer that question, Mr. Collard turned to a quote from President John F. Kennedy: May you live in interesting times. “At the time we thought it was an ancient Chinese proverb. It turns out it was an ancient Chinese curse,” Mr. Collard said. “We’re probably living in the most interesting times we are seeing in these times of healthcare.”
And these changes are requiring such a cultural shift, both by products of the external environment and by leaders’ internal values. “Our external environment is demanding it, but our values won’t let us do anything else,” he said.
More articles on healthcare culture:
A communications culture can prevent Ebola-like confusion
Healthcare change management is necessary today to align with tomorrow’s realities: Q&A with NAPA’s Peter Doerner
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