|
“Nurses as Innovators – Where We’re Going and How We Get There”
When Dean Grey asked me to speak with you today, I felt both honored and humbled. And now, as I stand here with you having participated thus far in the events of this very special day – in addition to being honored and humbled, I must admit I’m feeling a bit envious – envious of your place in history and all the adventures that are ahead of you. This is an extraordinary time both in and for health care – and the opportunities that will come your way could very well be world changing.
So how do we as nurses leverage what’s happening – if change is in the wind – how do we make sense of it all? How do we anticipate and embrace what’s happening to best take advantage of opportunities for the benefit of those we serve – our patients? In other words, how can nursing and nurses leverage what’s happening to make a lasting impact? You, as Yale nurses, can be innovation leaders in the health care transformation that’s already underway. There are 5 key elements of that change – all in play simultaneously – and on all of which nurses have impact. These are:
− Pressure from the ever increasing cost of care – making care affordable;
− The changing demographics and its implications;
− The shift in the disease burden from acute to chronic;
− Technology – advances in, and the “so-whatness” of, it;
− The role and increasing impact of the emerging health care consumer.
Your identity as that of a learner is marked today by this event – but your journey as a life long learner, as well as healer, teacher, a scientist and advisor is only beginning. Innovation requires that quality of us – being not only open to doing the same things differently – but also being open to doing different things.
Let’s take the 5 elements of change I just mentioned – and look at them as “levers” – levers for change.
The cost of care/affordability problem is not only multi dimensional as a stand alone – it also touches all the other levers. And it will always be a challenge. Much of the talk about health reform is being driven by cost. But financing and high costs are symptoms of the real root cause underlying the under performance of our current system. The way health care is currently organized, staffed and delivered needs to change. During your practice lifetime “care” will not look the same. New care models like retail clinics, with advanced practice nurses at the helm, are challenging the orthodoxies and the status quo. Identifying these new models where nurses lead the way will be critical to making high quality care both accessible and affordable to all.
And this “change” thing is not just about health care. The world as we know it is changing – and not just because we are living longer and there’s more of us. Yes – we know there’s increasing diversity – for the first time in the U.S. married couples no longer make up the majority of U.S. households – and by 2042 whites will be a minority group. But as faces change, the face of health care needs to change in order to stay relevant and effectively identify and address unmet needs and reduce suffering. We’re living longer and chronic disease that accompanies that longevity is responsible for about 70% of health care spending. Nurses play the key role in getting people actively engaged in prevention, treatment and making the real difference of staying healthy. The relationship with the patient – with the consumer, has always been the heart of our work. Actually – it’s the heart of our profession. And designing around the patient – the consumer, opens our eyes to seeing all kinds of new possibilities (that’s another place where the doing things differently and doing different things can happen). There’s increasing emphasis on quality, price and convenient access as consumers judge them: Transparency efforts, new care models, on-line communities, “baskets of care” – that kind of new jargon is popping up all the time. Don’t be bystanders while these things happen – invent some! Pay attention, deep attention, to what patients/consumers need – and find ways to provide what’s needed. There will be lots of sacred cow tipping going on these next few years – take advantage of it. Maybe even tip a few of your own!
And use all the change levers –
− Support the emerging health care consumer – and both invite and help your patients be activated and engaged;
− Embrace the new e-Technologies – Web 2.0 helps drive Health 2.0;
− Help ensure affordable care – be open when you see new, efficient consumer valued care options that are or could be nursing led. Better still – invent some! And/or research what works; tell others so they may follow.
Pay attention to the opportunity in the demographics – it’s not a one-size fits all.
What appeals to younger consumers will change things – (e.g. online care). With the shift from acute to chronic – consumers of all ages will connect with one another (e.g.”people like me”) around feedback and questions related to provider experiences, treatment options and more – Embrace it! Be part of it! Opportunities come in strange packages!
And along the way – remember to congratulate yourself and value the magic of your unique gifts. Dr. Maya Angelou’s words have served as my mission statement – “live your life with passion, compassion, humor and style” – maybe, on your journey, her words will inspire you as well.
Today – I am so proud both of you and for you…
Heartfelt congratulations on your achievements today and yet to come and thank you for giving me this chance to share in your moment. |
