Introduction

HortySpringer Pathways Webinar Session 2: Informal Measures & Collegial Conversations

The vast majority of modern peer review concerns are addressed through progressive, collegial efforts that promote retention and performance enhancement, rather than judgment, punishment, and exclusion from the medical staff. But, even when leaders are focused on informal, collegial efforts, planning a collegial conversation can bring up anxiety about the potential for confrontation. And, if implemented without careful planning, a collegial conversation can quickly devolve into a finger-pointing, stressful experience.

During this session, we will discuss the range of informal measures and collegial interventions available to Hospital and Medical Staff leaders, spending the majority of time emphasizing planning and the importance of maintaining a collegial tone throughout the process. It’s easier said than done.

Topics to be Covered:

Deciding which, of many, progressive, collegial efforts (if any) is an appropriate response to a situation

When should a practitioner be informed and asked for input?

Inviting the practitioner to meet (what are the elements of good “notice”?)

Deciding who will be present (who should you bring – and who can the practitioner bring?)

Preventing retaliation and information leakage upfront

Preparing your talking points

Managing unexpected bumps in the road (e.g., what if the practitioner does not show?)

Documenting a successful collegial intervention: Tone matters!

When it’s okay to skip documentation of a meeting

Documenting an unpleasant collegial intervention

Is follow-up required? Do leaders have to report the results of the intervention meeting up the chain?

Supplemental Materials:

Checklist for collegial intervention preparation

Sample invitation to attend a collegial conversation

Sample follow up letter (for collegial conversation)

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this audio conference, participants should be able to:

Implement informal and collegial measures progressively, in furtherance of patient safety and practitioner support/enhancement;

Prepare invitations, letters of guidance, education, and follow-up, and other documentation of collegial efforts in a manner that provides a necessary and helpful record of events, but also maintains a collegial and helpful tone;

Appropriately plan and implement collegial meetings with colleagues; and

Document collegial meetings, in a way that provides clarification and transparency to the subject of the review and also creates a legal record.

About HortySpringer Pathways

Introducing HortySpringer Pathways – a new training program for hospital and physician leaders who are looking to develop and enhance the skills they need to manage and oversee the hospital’s Medical Staff.

FOCUSED

Each Pathways Series is focused on a topic – or “theme” – that health system, hospital, and physician leaders have told us is essential and timely. Avoiding the sound bites and consultant-talk that permeate so many leadership training courses that are on the market, Pathways favors a deeper discussion of the topics at hand and take-home tips that can be implemented right away.

INCLUSIVE

Medical Staff leadership does not occur in a vacuum. While the “self-governance” of the Medical Staff is largely the purview of the organization’s practicing physicians, a multitude of individuals and bodies support and oversee Medical Staff activities: Board members, advanced practice clinicians, health system and hospital administrators, quality professionals, medical staff services professionals, HR professionals, executive recruiters, and more! Pathways’ web-based format allows organizations to finally make Medical Staff leadership training available to all of these individuals, fostering shared understanding and the implementation of aligned and unified policies, procedures, and leadership strategies across the organization.

ACCESSIBLE

Each Pathways webinar has been designed to require a minimal-to-moderate time commitment and to allow training to be completed from the comfort of your own home or workplace. With four 2-hour web-based training sessions spread throughout the year, participation in the Pathways leadership program means not having to forego leadership development when time for training is limited or travel is difficult or impossible.

Who Should Attend?

The 2024 Pathways program can benefit all the following:

Medical Staff members identified for leadership potential, but not yet placed in a leadership role
Medical Staff officers
Chief Medical Officers
Peer review/PPE committee members
Members of a Medical Staff Leadership Council (or similar officers council/committee)
Members of a Medical Staff professionalism committee
Other physician leaders involved in professional practice evaluation
Hospital personnel who support the peer review/PPE processes (for example, Medical Staff Services directors, quality department directors)
In-house counsel who advise the Medical Staff or Board
Governing Board members (particularly, members of a Board subcommittee on quality)

HortySpringer Webinar Disclaimer

The information presented during a webinar and any supplementary materials provided to registrants are intended for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing contained therein is to be considered as the rendering of legal advice for specific cases or circumstances.

No one should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information presented during a webinar without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer practicing as permitted by applicable laws, regulations or rules of professional conduct. No attorney-client relationship is formed by registration for a webinar or the use of the supplementary materials.