Post on 05-Oct-2020
Good Communication, Understanding Differences & Building Successful Relationships
Parent and professional communication and
Relationship building in the context of the
Medical Home…photographs of Mars and Venusas seen through the filtered lenses of aparent/professional State ImplementationDirector
Co-Presenter:
Jennifer Bolden Pitre, M.A. J.D.
Director of Integrated Systems for CYSHCN and CYASD/DD
Family Resource Specialist
Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN)
856.522.9391
jbpitre.span.nj@gmail.com
Almost 20 years ago, John Gray, Ph.D. published a book
entitled Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus that because a
phenomenal bestseller. In the book, he explained how to improve
communication by working towards understanding the differences
between men and women, and how to use the information to change
relationships permanently.
John Gray said: Men and Women have intrinsically
different communication styles....because they are from
different planets!
As Parent Leaders, we know that we have an intrinsically
different communication styles and we have argued for
years that the Medical professionals don’t communicate to
us or with us...it is like apples and oranges.
Apples are fixed, stable, hard fruits
Oranges are soft, pliable, flexible fruits
with a rubber like exterior which houses
many layers ultimately enclosing a soft
fruity interior.
Good Communication starts with appreciating &
understanding differences. Enjoy and
Appreciate the view and Embrace Difference.
Starting Points:
Start on the same page
Start with same terms
Start with same definitions
Start with same objectives
Start with same measures
Start with same outcomes
Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs:
(CYSHCN) Definition:
The Federal Maternal and Child Health Bureau defines
Children with special health care needs (CSHCN) as:
“those [children] who have or are at increased risk for a chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional condition and who also require health and related services of a type or amount beyond that required by children generally
Example: Universal CYSHCN State
Implementation Grant
Terminology
1. Families of children and youth with special health care
needs partner in decision making at all levels and are
satisfied with the services they receive;
2. Children and youth with special health care needs receive
coordinated ongoing comprehensive care within a
medical home;
2. Families of CSHCN have adequate private and/or public
insurance to pay for the services they need;
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The 6 Core Outcomes for CYSHCN
The 6 Core Outcomes for CYSHCN
4. CYSHCN Children are screened early and
continuously for special healthcare needs;
5. Community-based services for children and youth
with special health care needs are organized so
families can use them easily;
6. Youth with special health care needs receive the
services necessary to make transitions to all
aspects of adult life, including adult health care, work,
and independence.
Universal language continued:
Medical Home
• A Medical Home is an approach to providing comprehensive primary care that facilitates partnership between patients, physicians, and families. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) believes that every child deserves a medical home, where care is accessible, continuous, comprehensive, patient- and family-centered, coordinated, compassionate, and culturally effective. From: http://www.medicalhomeinfo.org/about/medical_home/index.aspx
What could possibly be misunderstood?
We had the same terms, definitions, goals,
outcomes and measures...
Intrinsically different Communication styles:
Medical Doctors:
• Logical
• Analytic
• Problem Solvers
• Orientated around efficiency
• Quick fixers…short on time
• Linear thinkers
• Empirical thinkers (data driven & evidence based)
Intrinsically different Communication styles:
Parents:
• Parents tend to multi-task
• Global thinkers vs. single/analytical step
• Value thinkers
• Problem solvers, but physical processors
• Emotion based thinkers
• Experience based as opposed to fact based analysis
• Life experiences are more persuasive than studies
• Connectors/bonding agents
• Value stability vs. change/flux
We had the same terms, definitions, goals,
outcomes and measures...and want to help
the children...improve outcomes...
The view from the other side...may be obstructed by
communication DIFFERENCES here are some stories from
the field...
How to work WITH communication differences and
have a “win-win” result for the CORE TEAM:
• Know your staff
• Be prepared to take yourself out of the equation.
• Embrace Strength based leadership principles
• Use Cultural Brokers
• Use Educational Brokers
• Use/develop “bridges” to the community.
• Listen first. Speak second.
• Repeat what you hear/heard at meetings
• Pick a role model and “borrow” a skill you admire
Somethings in life will never change.
But our response CAN change.
Mars will always be Mars and Venus will always be Venus.
Once a Parent, always a parent....but oh my! How our roles are
evolving!
Good Communication, Understanding Differences &
Building Successful Relationships
The start of something new bringsthe hope of something great.Anything is possible. There is onlyone you. And you will pass this wayonly once.
Do it right.
Dream big.