Gary Oftedahl:Thriving, not just surviving, a time for sharing and learning

Slightly over a year ago, I referenced the sense of “drinking from the fire hydrant” in discussing the challenge of incorporating all the information flooding our senses as we work on transforming health care. (http://bit.ly/9ZwdJQ). At the heart of this was an invitation to attend the annual ICSI/IHI Colloquium, as an opportunity to hear from many of those involved in the ongoing efforts. Over 500 of our friends and colleagues–an attendance record–took advantage of that event, which was a great success.

Gary Oftedahl: The Challenge of Being a Catalyst

Admit it, we all like to be recognized for a job well done. Whether being sited at a local meeting, seeing our name linked to a successful outcome, or being published in a peer-reviewed journal, those of us in health care have many of the same human needs as demonstrated by any others in our society. We all like to be associated with a “winner” and, when possible, have others thank us personally for our hard work and creativity. That’s why it’s often times really, really hard to be a catalyst, but also sometimes really, really important.

Jim Trevis: Are You Still Following Your Medical Dreams?

I’ve been feeling exceptionally good recently. Part is due to my son being selected as one of 50 college students to get a scholarship to the Telluride Film Festival. My daughter Laura, the world changer, spent four months in her beloved Guatemala. My wife, who thinks our yard is a northern Tara, will soon have pictures of her perennial gardens in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. And at an advanced age (call me Grandpa Moses of the literary field), I’m self-publishing my first novel and so far four people want to buy a copy.

Gary Oftedahl: Who is that person?

Have you ever looked in the mirror, and been forced to do a harsh reality check? Who is that person, what happened to the young vibrant person who I know resides in my memory? Is that really the way others see me? It’s a humbling experience, which is why I’ve migrated away from spending too much time in front of such an apparatus.

Gary Oftedahl: Getting our ACT Together

“It’s all about the culture.” How many times have we heard that statement when trying to address the changes necessary in health care? In fact, isn’t it likely that irrespective of the arena, a disconnect between strategy and culture is a recipe for failure, and often disaster. To paraphrase many who work in this area, “culture eats strategy for lunch everyday.” Yet over my career in health care, and more specifically in the area of quality improvement, we have continued to attempt to implement new programs, new strategies, new approaches, only to see them disappear into the abyss of “failed opportunities” and lamented the lack of a culture that supports the activities.

Gary Oftedahl: Wish you were (had been) here…

My esteemed colleague and leader of ICSI, Kent Bottles (@KentBottles), has highlighted the keynotes from the recent ICSI Colloquium. (http://bit.ly/bwi4N1)

It was my ninth Colloquium as an ICSI staff member, and in my mind the most memorable—for many reasons. The only missing element was…..you….or at least some of you. The energy, the passion, the excitement, the conversations reverberated through the halls, going on long after the sessions ended.

Kent Bottles: We Need Both Evidence-based Medicine and Patient-based Medicine

Sometimes I feel as though I am trapped between two worlds that should know each other better and that definitely need each other. And yet, these two worlds seem to be made up of good people who mean well, but who also talk past each other. They really do not understand each other at all.

Gary Oftedahl: Drinking from the fire hydrant: Learning together

In the past year, I’ve gone from being a novice with little or no knowledge of social media, to having an active presence (albeit a small one compared to many) on Twitter, a weekly blog post (if only read by me, still of value) and a Facebook account (still trying to see the value of that one).

Kent Bottles: ICSI Conference in May Just Might Help Fix Health Care Mess

“I just had a minor surgery last fall and was once again reminded about how stunningly dysfunctional the system is – especially for people like me with high deductibles who basically pay for their own health care. For a $4,000 procedure, I got 14 invoices from four different providers spread over a four-month time frame. And no one in the system could give me any idea what the (very standard) procedure might cost – even though they offered a 20% discount if I paid within 48 hours. Paid how much? To whom? I think Franz Kafka is still behind the curtain…”

Gary Oftedahl: Beyond convening–role of the catalyst

My life, both personally and professionally, has taken many turns, to my present position as chief knowledge officer of the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI). During that time there has been a major transition in the roles of ICSI and my personal role in our ongoing activities. This has led to an increased understanding of what is needed to support truly innovative, potential disruptive interventions among our member organizations.