Hi Laurel; I would hold out for a whole day and ensure that follow up is also built in. I personally would not open space for less than 31/2-4 hours in any situation.... particularly where there is such deep rooted conflict that has evolved over years of history. A one day open space event will allow great discussion of the issues and some strategies to be developed (to say nothing of the team building desirable side effect). They are still likely to need the follow up sessions built in to develop the action strategies and solution plans for the issues that are identified as most important.
The issue of physicians as fee for service guests versus paid employees raises its head in every hospital organization that I work with. So, how can you level the playing field? In one hospital that I am working with now, they are paying the physicians a fee for participating in the team work. While it is not the same fee that they would be getting by performing surgery, they are acknowledging the importance of their participation financially. Another option is to offer the session outside of regular work hours and have everyone volunteer to participate. One might then argue that if it is important, they will come. I don't know the climate in your organization. I guess it still really comes down to how committed they are to identifying root causes to their issues and coming up with sustainable solutions vs paying lip service. That does require a time investment, but is still a more cost-effective solution than investing many hours and going nowhere. That is where most of the people, physicians and other staff, that I have worked with get frustrated....spinning wheels. Do they want to solve it now and forever and also build relationships that will help them resolve future problems or do it again and again. In the end, not dealing with the issue well costs far more in money, opportunity costs, fractured relationships etc., etc. I explained taking the appropriate time to deal with issues to a group of physicians and nurses using a heart analogy before. Not taking time is like having a patient come into emergency complaining of chest pain and booking bypass surgery without doing a history, physical and other diagnostic tests. There may indeed by a blockage in a coronary artery, but that may not be what is causing the pain. Treating the patient properly depends on accurate diagnosis and investigation....which is a time investment. The same applies to systems issues. (I wrote this before I read Michael's response....I love it!!! Looks like we are on the same wavelength. I guess what we are both saying how can this be framed to have meaning to the sponsors?) Hope this helps Michelle Michelle Cooper, RN, MScN The Cooper Group Consultants 200 Crestview Avenue Ancaster, Ontario Canada L9G1E2 Telephone - (905) 648- 4633 Fax - (905) 648-1763 E-mail [email protected] The paradox of control is simple. The more we try to control life, the less control we have. Joan Borysenko, Ph.D., Minding The Body, Mending The Mind
