Shereese Maynard, MS, MBA She/Her

I've done the legwork, so you don't have to. Expanding your network with physicians can be less daunting with the right approach. Romance them, not in the love sense, but in the authentic, intelligence sense. Here's how you romance a physician: 1. Engage meaningfully on social media like LinkedIn and TikTok (Yes, TikTok)—comment, share, & send traffic to their channels. Attend medicine-based conferences. I highly recommend the Digital Medicine Conference, for example. Adopt them as a mentor. My physician mentors didn't choose me; I chose them, They didn't say no. Educate them w/o judgment; they want to learn, but they don't want to admit they don't know what you know; get it? Build genuine, valuable relationships with these strategies.

The root of communication breakdowns in healthcare lies beyond just language barriers or tech issues; it’s in our fundamental struggle to connect effectively. While factors like information overload and inter-professional conflicts play roles, the core issue is the human and systemic barriers that hinder genuine connection. Technology, though vital, can feel impersonal, and regulations, while necessary, may stifle open communication. The key is not just addressing these individual elements but fostering an environment where every interaction is an opportunity for meaningful connection, enhancing trust and understanding in patient care. In my opinion 😉.

Patients with high EI levels tend to communicate more effectively with their doctors. This open line of communication fosters an understanding of medication regimens, leading to adherence. By contrast, when patients don't understand Rx instructions, they're not likely to speak up for fear of being judged. According to ClevelandClinic.org, 4/10 patients don't understand Rx instructions, highlighting a significant barrier to healthcare. This is where EI becomes a game-changer. Patients with high EI possess the self-awareness to recognize when they don't understand and the confidence to ask for clarification. They're also better at managing their emotions, reducing the fear of judgment that can prevent crucial conversations about care.

Staff training yields the greatest reward in the long term, and yet, it's often undervalued by practices. Here's the thing: staff are the most patient-facing resource, and they are often managing your workflows, from RevCy to documentation management. Investing in staff development builds scaffolding around operations. From building trust with patients to ensuring regulatory requirements are achieved, staff needs to be continuously supported and developed. When a staff lacks competency due to an underinvestment in training and development, cracks will develop in the foundation of the practice. This, too, will impact the practice, but negatively and forever.

First, know thyself! The life of a consultant is challenging yet very rewarding. You have to decide if you are suitable for the role. Next, ensure expert-level competency in your subject matter; you benefit no one by posturing. You'll also need to commit to continued learning; out of practice is out of business. Last, you must master the "why." For healthcare clients, the "why" informs the buy. What are you even doing if you can't explain the theory behind your advice? To that end, you must be a very attentive listener. The above is the consultants' playbook; read it.

Evaluating gamification apps in training programs is a self-reflective practice portion of the design process. Through evaluation, we can determine whether our results are based on efficacy and whether they align with our predefined objectives. This evaluation assesses the effectiveness of the game elements in achieving the desired outcomes and provides insights into engagement and motivation. We can understand how well the gamification elements foster a conducive learning environment by analyzing completion rates and user feedback metrics. This feedback loop is crucial for refining and optimizing the gamification strategy to better suit the learners' needs and the program's goals.