EP. 154: How to Build Stronger Perioperative Teams: Break Down Silos and Improve Workplace Culture

In short

In this episode of Coffee Break, host Dr. Renee Thompson speaks with Molly Kuchera, Associate Director at the University of Iowa Healthcare, about tackling bullying and incivility in healthcare settings. Kuchera shares her personal experiences with toxic work environments and the strategies she implemented, including empathetic communication, regular interdisciplinary meetings, and the introduction of an on-site therapist, to foster a healthier and more respectful workplace culture. The discussion emphasizes the importance of systemic change, consistency, and continuous leadership development in creating sustainable positive work environments.

Key takeaways

• Strained relationships and incivility are significant issues in healthcare that negatively impact patient care and staff well-being.
• Proactive and empathetic communication, such as the 'Are you okay?' approach, can be effective in addressing negative behaviors.
• Systemic changes, like regular interdisciplinary meetings and dedicated support resources (e.g., on-site therapists), are crucial for fostering a healthy work culture.
• Consistency in addressing cultural issues and prioritizing relationships is vital for long-term success.
• Continuous leadership development, networking, and learning are essential for creating and maintaining positive work environments.

Chapters

1. 00:00

   Introduction: Cultivating Healthy Work Environments

   The podcast begins by drawing a parallel between plants thriving in nurturing environments and humans needing the same to flourish. It introduces the concept of toxic work environments and the podcast's mission to address bullying and incivility in healthcare.

2. 00:45

   Host Introduction and Guest Welcome

   Host Dr. Renee Thompson welcomes listeners to Coffee Break and introduces her guest, Molly Kuchera, Associate Director of the Ambulatory Care Surgery Center at the University of Iowa Healthcare. Thompson expresses her admiration for Kuchera's work.

3. 01:30

   Molly Kuchera's Background and Mission

   Molly Kuchera shares her extensive experience in perioperative nursing and her commitment to strengthening team performance and creating systems that support both exceptional patient care and the well-being of nurses.

4. 02:15

   Origin of the Collaboration

   Thompson explains how she met Kuchera through the AONL Education Committee and was impressed by the improvements Kuchera's team made in relationships and team performance, finding it inspiring.

5. 03:00

   The Problem: Strained Relationships in Healthcare

   The discussion highlights the common issue of strained relationships, particularly between physicians and nurses, in healthcare settings. This often manifests as bullying and incivility, negatively impacting patient outcomes.

6. 04:30

   Molly's Experience with Incivility

   Kuchera recounts her early career experiences as a new nurse, transitioning from an emergency room environment to the OR, where she encountered a noticeable division and felt subjected to bullying behavior.

7. 06:00

   Addressing Incivility: The 'Are You Okay?' Approach

   Kuchera describes her strategy of approaching individuals exhibiting concerning behavior with empathy, asking 'Are you okay?' to open a dialogue and understand their perspective, often leading to self-awareness and apologies.

8. 08:00

   The Importance of Sincerity and Context

   Thompson emphasizes that the 'Are you okay?' approach must be sincere and context-dependent to avoid sounding sarcastic, especially when addressing repeated negative behaviors.

9. 10:00

   Implementing Systemic Change: Regular Meetings

   Kuchera details how they established regular meetings between nurse managers and head physicians for each division to discuss culture, issues, and team dynamics, fostering better communication and problem-solving.

10. 12:00

    Introducing a Therapist for Support

    The podcast reveals the unique initiative of bringing in a therapist who meets with staff on Tuesdays, providing accessible support for team dynamics, stress, and other work-related issues.

11. 15:00

    The 'Identify, Discuss, Solve' Framework

    Thompson introduces a framework for addressing issues: Identify, Discuss, and Solve. This structured approach helps teams tackle problems systematically, fostering a healthier work environment.

12. 18:00

    Sustaining Momentum: Consistency is Key

    The conversation stresses the importance of consistency in addressing culture and relationships. Once these initiatives are started, they must remain on the agenda to be effective and prevent backsliding.

13. 20:00

    Leadership Development and Continuous Learning

    Both hosts discuss the necessity for leaders to continuously engage in their own development, read, network, and seek new ideas to effectively lead and foster positive work cultures.

14. 22:00

    Conclusion and Call to Action

    The podcast concludes by reiterating the importance of creating healthy work cultures and encourages listeners to visit the Healthy Workforce Institute website. They sign off with a reminder to be kind and stay connected.

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