It's true, and, those of you who have heard me speak have probably heard me use that line. As my Lean mentors, @drexdeford and @pathagan have told me, and I've come to observe as true, "Words have power."
So, I've been on a persistent, and to my co-workers, past and present, I'm sure exasperating, journey to change the words we use to describe the folks we support. Once you draw that analogy in your head, it starts to get creepy to continue to use the words, "end user," at least to me. My choice, seeing as I'm in Healthcare IT, has always been to refer to them as our "Clinical and Business Partners." Which seems like a mouthful, but after you say it enough it rolls off the tongue just as easy as "end user."
And, back to the power of words, when your IT staff start saying the word "partner," even when they're replacing "end user" with it, they start thinking of themselves as partners, not subordinates--Partners in the delivery of care to our customers, the Patient and their Family.
The difference the power of the words make in moving people from the negative land of "Drug dealers and end users," into the positive (not necessarily puppy-dog and unicorn, mind you) world of Partners, all of whom are serving a greater good, is astounding. Choose your words wisely, my friends.
The passage you shared delves into the significance of language and its impact on perception and relationships, particularly within the context of Healthcare IT. It emphasizes the transformative power of words and the shift from using terms like "end user" to "Clinical and Business Partners." Let's break down the concepts mentioned:
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Lean Methodology: The mention of Lean mentors, @drexdeford and @pathagan, indicates an association with Lean principles. Lean is a systematic method for the elimination of waste within a process. It's widely adopted in various industries, including healthcare, to optimize operations and enhance efficiency.
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Power of Words: The central theme revolves around the belief that words have immense influence. The choice of language shapes perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors. Reframing the terminology used in describing individuals (from "end users" to "Clinical and Business Partners") aims to foster a more collaborative and respectful environment.
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Healthcare IT and Patient Care: The context here specifically revolves around Healthcare IT, where the terminology shift is not just semantic but has a profound effect on the mindset of the IT staff. By using language that emphasizes partnership and collaboration, there's a direct impact on how these professionals perceive their role in patient care.
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Positive Perception and Greater Good: The narrative underscores the shift from a potentially dehumanizing term ("end user") to one that fosters a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose ("partners"). This change in language is presented as a means to elevate the perception of all involved parties, ultimately serving a higher purpose—the delivery of quality care to patients and their families.
In summary, the passage highlights the transformative impact of language within the framework of Healthcare IT, illustrating how a simple change in terminology can influence perspectives, attitudes, and relationships among stakeholders involved in patient care.
