What are effective ways to recognize and celebrate the contributions of teams in patient advocacy?

One thing I found is when you celebrate and acknowledge the team's contributions, they do feel acknowledged and appreciated. It is a nice feeling when your hardwork is noticed. In our organization, we have a weekly team huddle. We always start with celebrations where we announce, recognize and praise our team's hardwork, performance, and team achievements. I agree, thanking the team personally via email, or a card is a nice gesture. It can help build and strengthen rapport with your team.

If you listen to your patients when they give you feedback, you will start to enhance your ability to communicate and perform better. With each patient experience, we naturally get better; if we don’t get better we won’t be at our optimal level. Listen to your patients and your coworkers and you will naturally get better and be a better clinician. GIVE appreciation and RECEIVE appreciation. It also helps burnout too!

One of the primary ways to celebrate the team's contribution to patient advocacy is by showcasing real-life examples of how their efforts have made a tangible difference in patients' lives. This approach not only empowers them as advocates for themselves but also for others.

I think sometimes giving thanks is something that isn’t processed completely. Getting to know a persons “why” that brought them to the table to begin with helps to shape the meaningful words. Paying them when you can, also good!

In my experience, this is the best way to have a symbiotic relationship with your team. Asking for their input on how to handle certain things, or how they would prefer things to be handled, keeping them up-to-date if there are any kind of issues that rise, and thank them for the help that they provide to you that allows you to get your job done! I have a wonderful relationship with a specific office that I work closely with and it’s the best thing for everyone involved, including the patient!

Patient advocacy is extremely rewarding work, however, depending on your community, can sometimes be exhausting and sad. Patient loss is disheartening for a team, and it is important to acknowledge and celebrate the relationships with those patients and families, while also allowing the team time to grieve. Conversely, continuously sharing uplifting stories that the team has worked on is a good way to boost morale and reward the team for their work. Starting each meeting with the mission, and a "feel good" moment/story that was made possible by their efforts is a great way to continue to recognize them.

This would be an excellent thing to add to our monthly provider meetings. Success stories abound in healthcare, and sometimes, they can lead to providers learning to look at things a new way. The stories can help lead to educational opportunities as well.

Sharing stories and successes offers a vibrant approach to acknowledging team efforts. By featuring narratives like case studies or testimonials from patients, these stories not only convey the impact of the team's work but also humanize their achievements, connecting on a personal level. Showcasing projects or initiatives via diverse platforms such as newsletters and social media further highlights their successes. This storytelling approach serves dual purposes: celebrating the team's accomplishments and offering valuable lessons and best practices, thereby inspiring and educating both the team and the wider community about the profound impact of patient advocacy.

Além disso, ao compartilhar histórias e sucessos, promove-se o reconhecimento público das equipes, inspirando outros profissionais de saúde e fortalecendo a imagem positiva da instituição. Essas narrativas também servem como fonte de aprendizado e troca de experiências entre as equipes, estimulando a inovação e a melhoria contínua na defesa do paciente.

In my experience acknowledging the team's collective effort is imperative. Recognizing the significance of patient advocacy is crucial for us, as healthcare providers, who consistently strive to prioritize our patients' well-being and safety. When a team or team member engages in advocacy this should be celebrated.

Ok, I'll confess. I am a bonified nerd. My life is all about growing and learning on a daily basis. I greatly advocate continuation of education that goes beyond 'the box' of the classroom. I appreciate my mentors (they know who they are) in business, in religion, and in personal development. Moving beyond your comfort zone is encouraged, and this includes gaining knowledge in areas that don't necessarily fall directly into your field of study. Developing your skill set could include things such as public speaking, negotiating skills or mastering Excel spreadsheets. Think outside of the box. You may be surprised at what you find interesting. Take a chance on yourself because you never know where it may take you.

A culture of learning is only sustained when curiosity is rewarded consistently. As clinicians the care we deliver is only as strong as the education and learning opportunities that lay its foundation. The culture of learning thrives when those who are naturally curious are allowed to be creative with their team members. Creating newsletters, simulations, committees to create content from QA/QI, identifying conferences to send team members to, and daily education topics are all strategies that we employ in my work place with great success. These opportunities allow people multifaceted learning options while also creating independence amongst team members, as each team member plays to their strength to create said opportunity.

Learning and growth widens the knowledge of the team members to a variety of ideas, that builds them to be more innovative, confident and competent in advocating for their patients .

Ao criar uma cultura de aprendizado e crescimento, as equipes se tornam mais resilientes e adaptáveis diante dos desafios do ambiente de saúde em constante evolução. Essa busca constante por conhecimento e aprimoramento também fortalece o senso de comprometimento e engajamento das equipes na defesa do paciente, resultando em melhores resultados e cuidados de qualidade.

I’m fortunate to work with a company that promotes and offers frequent educational opportunities. Specialists that I’ve referred to offer constructive feedback. We have monthly “walk with a doc” to take a walk and discuss that month’s topic. To grow in the healthcare field requires continuous learning and adapting.

Empirical evidence underscores the importance of autonomy and flexibility in patient advocacy teams. For example, a study from Harvard Business School Online reveals that autonomy significantly boosts productivity and engagement, countering the detrimental effects of micromanagement on employee morale and turnover. This approach not only enhances individual well-being and job satisfaction but also contributes to the overall resilience and effectiveness of the team. In essence, granting autonomy in patient advocacy teams is a data-backed strategy that leads to a more motivated, efficient, and committed workforce.

Encouraging autonomy and flexibility within healthcare teams is pivotal for recognizing and celebrating their contribution to patient advocacy. Autonomy allows each team member to leverage unique skills, enriching the collective effort. Flexibility enables adaptability to diverse patient needs and evolving healthcare landscapes. Celebrating these qualities communicates trust in the team's abilities and reinforces their integral role in achieving positive patient outcomes. Autonomy and flexibility, more than management principles, embody a culture of continuous improvement, showcasing the team's commitment to patient-focused care.

Além disso, ao incentivar a autonomia e a flexibilidade, as equipes se sentem valorizadas e empoderadas, o que resulta em maior criatividade e inovação nas abordagens de cuidado ao paciente. Essa liberdade de escolha e adaptação também contribui para um ambiente de trabalho mais saudável e equilibrado, promovendo o bem-estar e a qualidade de vida dos membros da equipe.

In the field of healthcare, teamwork is crucial for providing quality patient care and advocating for patients. Encouraging autonomy and flexibility within healthcare teams is an effective way to recognize and celebrate their contributions in patient advocacy. Autonomy empowers individuals to make independent decisions while flexibility allows teams to adapt to changing circumstances. By recognizing and celebrating team contributions, healthcare organizations create a positive work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in advocating for patients.

Insufficient autonomy for caregivers not only jeopardizes patient outcomes but also erodes the essence of compassionate care. The shackles of rigid regulations hinder tailored support, compromising the very quality that defines exceptional caregiving. This constraint extends beyond patient well-being, affecting caregivers who grapple with stress and burnout due to limited control. Bridging this gap in healthcare communication is not just a necessity; it's a moral imperative. Recognizing and addressing these challenges will not only elevate the standard of care but also honor the tireless dedication of those at the heart of caregiving.

Celebrating employment milestones such as highlighting seniority is underestimated. I recently had a conversation with healthcare leaders to address the value of seniority for promotion and leadership opportunities. It was a mixed opinion, in fact some remarked that “success with challenging projects” should be rewarded more . As we enter an era where physicians are expected to be in deficit by 2030, in healthcare, celebrate seniority! It brings to the table(for the most part): passionate, stable and knowledgeable talent to mentor others, supporting retention. So yes, give them that pin, it goes far… #21Yseniority #proudMD

In my experience, I found it beneficial to do a yearly review with my team to look back on our milestones and achievements. The numerous patients supported through our advocacy services is empowering and encouraging. It is incredible to see our impact on the healthcare landscape.

Além disso, celebrar marcos e conquistas fortalece o senso de orgulho e pertencimento das equipes, incentivando a motivação e o empenho contínuo na defesa do paciente. Essa valorização pública também inspira outros profissionais de saúde e promove uma cultura de excelência e superação dentro da instituição.

Goal setting is imperative to better advocate for patients, particularly goals related to areas of performance improvement. For teams deal with critical patients we are often able to look at our QA/QI processes to create goals, but, other opportunities for improvement exist in communication, logistic preparedness, and education content. This often encourages stronger team building as well. Anecdotally, small monthly goals tend to have more impact on morale than lofty yearly goals.

Building milestones and achievements especially when things go bad is a great way to measure performance of a team. Not just the team members themselves but the team as in different departments or work areas. Setting good patient care experiences will build on the reputation of those specific people, departments, and then organizations. Customer service is one of those factors that keep people coming in!

Trust and rapport is crucial for excellent team management. It gives one room to communicate their opinions knowing they will be listened to and not just following orders. It makes the team feel they are worth it and they bring something to the table

This is the crux of interpersonal relationships in general, in my opinion. Open, honest and direct communication, feedback and constructive criticism are essential to growing as individuals and as team members. Security in the knowledge that my colleagues and staff will be working with me to provide the highest quality care that we’re capable starts with trust in each other.

Sin confianza entre el profesional y el paciente no habrá resultado, ya que sin una información veraz el diagnóstico no podrá ser adecuado

The best way to recognize and celebrate the work of patient advocacy teams is to have the patients themselves talk about how the work made a difference in their lives. It is very rewarding to hear directly from the people you advocate on behalf of to keep your motivation up and focus on the long-term big-picture view.

Frequently we forget that we are only as strong as our “weakest” team members. Too often in the pursuit of excellence do we leave our colleagues behind for the sake of grand improvement or cutting-edge status; this is counter-productive and eventually leads to burnout and turnover. A culture of collaboration is the truest way to consistently advocate for our patients and deliver the best possible care. It is only when we train everybody equitably that we can succeed in meeting the team’s primary mission. When we do not equitably invest in our team members, we inevitably create more challenges for both the patient and ourselves. It is never about being the most excellent, rather only delivering excellence to patients consistently.

I think all of these points are relevant for any team, and not specific to patient advocacy teams. Nothing more to add :) Just in reality, especially in current times of constant reorgs and restructuring, this is a dream scenario for many teams. I hope we can see more of such positive appreciation in future.

In oncology, we often deal with dire outcomes, so it is easy to lose the hope and light we bring to our patients. It is up to leaders to bring perspective of what everyone's small action does for the patient and caregivers. While we may not cure cancer, we can make the journey easier. Sharing the impact of small actions into the big picture of patient advocacy empowers teams to strive to constantly improve services and benefits the patient and the entire care team.

One of the ways to recognize and celebrate advocacy teams is to promote a culture that values patient advocacy. Encourage open communication, listen to their feedback, and provide resources to address challenges they may face while advocating for patients. Creating a supportive environment can reinforce their commitment to patients advocacy and to continue to make meaningful difference.