MUSC CARES ClinicKelsey Davis, Tim Brown, Ragan LeBlanc, Kevin Schassler & Alex Stone

Today’s Agenda

Provide a brief background about the CARES Clinic

Introduce the problem of communicationProvide an analysis and evaluation of the

problemPresent several recommendations to improve

communicationSummarize our findings

About CARES

Physical/Occupational/Speech Therapy Clinic

NFP student-run organization founded in 2005

Provides free services to members of the community

Aid and relief to community and educational for students

Over 200 students/faculty/volunteers involved

9 different subcommittees

Analysis and Evaluation of Issues1.Large organization which hinders everyone

from being on the same page“Too many cooks in the kitchen”Different perspectives, different problems, different needsOnly manage office twice a semester

2.Job/committee descriptions not clearly defined Barriers between different professions involved

Difficult to interact in a constructive manner, mostly point fingers

Analysis and Evaluation of Issues (cont.)3. Mode of communicating is substandard

People don’t always read emailsi. Too long then information is overlookedii. Too short people don’t understand

Information is selective to specific subcommitteeMoodle page/Google docs has helped

4. Inconsistent relaying of informationChanges to scheduling, processes, policies and

procedures occurs frequentlyiii.Staff members not aware of changes

Timing of communication

Recommendations1.Restructure subcommittees

2.Develop an orientation and workshop

3.Create a podcast

#1: Restructure Subcommittee

Barriers to Communication

“Too many cooks in the kitchen”

No clear leader

Overcoming Barriers to Communication

Reduce the number of hierarchy levels

Promote organizational communication through

leadership

Our Recommendation

Have one member serve as liaison

Appoint MHA as liaison

Have one person serve as liaison

• Instill accountability and leadership

• Create consistency

Appoint MHA as liaison

• Capable due to leadership experience

• Use learned skills• Assist with efficiency

Restructure Subcommittee Cont.

#2: Orientation and WorkshopJanuary: New MHA members

August: New PT and OT members

Both orientations will become standard each year

Immediate workshop to be developed

Orientation and Workshop Cont. Short information sessionChance to recognize leaders within the organization

Create a level of comfortabilityPresentation for those unable to attend

Borkowski (2016) recommendations to reduce miscommunication

Understand the audienceLimit jargon useDecode acronyms

Signed Contract

#3: PodcastAccording to Lake Superior State University (2016)65% of the population are visual learners 30% are audio learners

Currently providing important information via email Not reading emails Glancing over quickly and not absorbing information

Solution is to include weekly podcast with the emails Able to listen anywhere Easy to create with little resources

Podcast Cont. Process Model of Communication

Receiver of a message may not interpret the intended meaning the sender originally wanted to relay because of “noise”

Noise is anything that interferes with or misstates the message that was being transferred

If information is being relayed through a podcast, the sender may better be able to explain the information they want the receiver to understand

ConclusionCommunication is a crucial part of any

organization

Problems arise when there is no formalized way of communication and a lot of busy students and faculty

MHA student liaison would benefit committees and flow of communication

Orientations provide quick information and allow people to meet face to face

Podcast allow busy students to listen to information at their convenience and stay up to date with announcements and changes

ReferencesBorkowski, N. (2016). Organizational behavior in health care. Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett.

DelliFraine, Jami. (2016). Communication [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from Lecture Notes Communication.pptx

Lake Superior State University. (2016). What learning style does your student use? Retrieved November 28, 2016, from https://www.lssu.edu/parents/articles/may2006/learningstyle.php

Longest, B., Rakich, J., and Darr, K. (2002). Managing Health Services Organizations and Systems. Baltimore, MD: Health Professions Press.