Finding Meaning in My Own Work: Attending My First ACGME Conference Part 2

Douglas Cassidy, MD

Resident in General Surgery at MGH

PGY4

March 9, 2019 3:00 PM
The second day of the conference featured 2 sessions on interprofessional collaboration, including an interactive session featured below. The principles discussed can apply beyond just institutional change, including but not limited to carry over into interprofessional team training and simulation as well.

The session focused on Kotter’s 8 step change model in order to make changes to an organization. There is an interprofessional dimension to every facet of patient care, and it is important to have representatives and leadership from all professions and a designated champion to help empower change and encourage buy-in. The 8 steps are featured below, but the most meaningful to me were forming a powerful coalition to generate a climate for change as well as empowering others and implementing and sustaining change.

First, with regards to forming a coalition, it is critical for leadership to remain in charge. Leaders can designate a representative from their profession; however, if leadership doesn’t maintain a direct line of communication and commitment then attempting change is futile. I have found this true in developing my own research and projects in an interprofessional setting, particularly with team training. All professionals must feel as though their opinions and thoughts are validated as they play an integral role in the team. Without the input and a champion or representative from each professional that is aligned with their respective leadership, the project will suffer, and change will not be achieved.

Second, those on the front lines of change must feel empowered with their work in order to create a sustainable environment. This reflects back on the theme of the conference and an often-forgotten component of well-being: “finding meaning in your work.” Many conversations around wellness focus on outside services such as fitness, transportation, and childcare and family assistance.  However, it is critical that our trainees find happiness and meaning at work, especially during the stressors of residency. By finding meaning, we can tackle both institutional change and wellness simultaneously.

Kotter's 8 Step Change Model adapted for Institutional change

March 10, 2019 9:00 PM

Just some final thoughts after returning from Orlando. The conference was a great experience, stress-free, and highly educational. Being able to attend sessions both specific to general surgery and related to my research was highly informative and has helped me translate what it takes to implement interprofessional change into developing an interprofessional team training simulation. For each phase of the design process, I need to make sure that all parties have input, and we can work to build a sustainable simulation for the future. This conference is large and diverse enough to offer sessions for educators across specialties and with varying interests. I’m thrilled that I had this opportunity to meet other health professionals with my interests and learn from their experiences as I advance my career toward a role in medical education.