Our health care system is engaged in a process of reinvention that requires current interest groups to find common ground and build upon it. This month, Ed O’Neil discusses the skills leaders need to guide these groups in finding common ground and working together for a better system of care. To read this essay, visit: http://www.futurehealth.ucsf.edu/from_the_director.html.

How can you use quality improvement tools to eliminate language or cultural barriers to care? Check out materials from the LEAD program that helped safety net hospitals improve the delivery of culturally competent care. The first session emphasizes how to improve teamwork and use rapid cycle improvement.  Visit:  http://futurehealth.ucsf.edu/TheNetwork/Default.aspx?tabid=110 

The Center is now accepting nominations for the inaugural class of the Institute for Physician Leadership, a nine-month program designed to improve the ability of physicians in junior positions to bring about change within their organizations and improve job satisfaction. For more information, go to: http://futurehealth.ucsf.edu/Leadership/Default.aspx?tabid=1262

Beth Mertz presented findings and recommendations from her recent study on alternative practice dental hygiene [http://futurehealth.ucsf.edu/cchws/rdhap.html] at a Sacramento policy briefing entitled “Responding to California’s Dental Health Care Crisis,” sponsored by The California Program on Access to Care (CPAC) and the Dental Health Foundation. See a copy of the brief: http://www.ucop.edu/cpac/publications.html.

The Center for the Health Professions worked with a national stakeholder group on a national assessment of the EMS workforce. The report details critical policy issues and makes recommendations regarding the EMS workforce. To access the report at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website www.ems.gov, go to: http://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/DOT/NHTSA/Traffic%20Injury%20Control/Articles/
Associated%20Files/EMSWorkforceReport_June2008.pdf

The RWJF Executive Nurse Fellows Program has selected its new cohort.  Twenty nurses in senior executive roles nationwide have been selected for the 2008 cohort of this advanced leadership program sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. To view a roster of the new cohort of fellows, click here: http://futurehealth.ucsf.edu/Program/rwj/Default.aspx?tabid=341

In response to California’s increasingly diverse population, there is increased attention to the need for a culturally competent physician workforce. The Health Workforce Tracking Collaborative’s newest issue brief, “Diversity in California’s Health Professions: Physicians,” highlights the racial/ethnic composition of California’s physician workforce and medical students. Read the brief here: http://futurehealth.ucsf.edu/pdf_files/Physician%20diversity%20brief_FINAL.pdf

Jason Glick, Pharm. D., participated in the CHW Pharmacy Leadership Institute Class of 2006-2007 and is applying his enhanced leadership skills to meet the ever growing needs of his hospital’s population. To read more, including the two questions that Dr. Glick believes need to be asked in health care, visit: http://futurehealth.ucsf.edu/leadership/

Are there conversations you avoid because you feel anxious or frustrated? Or, you engage in them, but to no avail? On August 12, 2008, the Center is offering a workshop entitled "Skillfully Engaging in Difficult Conversations," which will focus on learning and practicing skills. For more information and to register, go to: http://futurehealth.ucsf.edu/Leadership/Default.aspx?tabid=1107

On September 3, 2008, the Center is offering a three-hour workshop entitled “Managing Conflict Effectively.” Using the Thomas-Kilmann Inventory, participants will learn about different approaches to dealing with conflict in order to manage conflicts more effectively. For more information and to register, go to http://futurehealth.ucsf.edu/Leadership/Default.aspx?tabid=1116

Our system of health care needs fundamental reform. How can hospitals meet this challenge without destructively impacting the ongoing delivery of health care services? This month, Ed O’Neil identifies the critical characteristics of successful innovations that can improve hospitals incrementally, without harming patient care in the interim. To read this essay, visit: http://www.futurehealth.ucsf.edu/from_the_director.html.

The California Board of Registered Nursing Survey of 2008 has been mailed! This survey is managed by staff at the Center for the Health Professions. If you receive the survey, we hope you will complete it and return it soon.

As participants in the 2006-2008 Integrated Nurse Leadership Program, Kim Costello, RN, Virginia Okayayshi, RPh, and their multidisciplinary team reduced medication errors while simultaneously increasing nursing professionalism. Read more about their work, including their team quote, at: http://futurehealth.ucsf.edu/leadership/

A comprehensive report on the labor market for licensed nurses in California has been published. This report was written as part of our evaluation of the California Nurse Workforce Initiative. Detailed tables describing the RN and LVN workforces in regions of California are also available. Find the report here: http://futurehealth.ucsf.edu/publications/index.html and the regional appendix here: http://futurehealth.ucsf.edu/pdf_files/NWILaborMarketReport_FINAL.pdf

The Center for the Health Professions Seminar Series, held the third Wednesday of every month, features presentations and discussions led by CHP staff and colleagues. June’s seminar, The Effects of Health IT on Patient Safety in the Veterans Health Administration, will be led by Joanne Spetz, PhD. Read more at: http://futurehealth.ucsf.edu/Leadership/

On June 11, 2008, the Center is offering a three-hour workshop on Change Management that will help participants facilitate change in their organizations by clarifying and using core values, developing creative responses and strategies, building alignment, and effectively communicating their vision. For more information and to register, go to: http://futurehealth.ucsf.edu/Leadership/Default.aspx?tabid=1086

Baby Boomers, Gen X'ers, and Millenials, oh my! On June 26, 2008, the Center offers "Managing a Multi-Generational Workforce," a three-hour workshop focusing on developing awareness and building skills in managing employees from different generations. For more information and to register, go to: http://futurehealth.ucsf.edu/Leadership/Default.aspx?tabid=1222

Feeling pressured to come up with innovative solutions on the job? On July 9, 2008, the Center is offering "Creativity & Problem Solving," a three-hour workshop where you can learn to generate more creative ideas. For more information and to register, go to: http://futurehealth.ucsf.edu/Leadership/Default.aspx?tabid=1223

Workshop Registration is Open! The Network for Multicultural Health invites you to attend "Addressing Health Care Disparities: Cultural Competence Faculty Development Program" on August 8 and 9, 2008, at the University of California, San Francisco. For more information and to register for the meeting, go to: http://futurehealth.ucsf.edu/TheNetwork/Default.aspx?tabid=110

Are there conversations you avoid because you feel anxious or frustrated? Or, you engage in them, but to no avail? On August 12, 2008, the Center is offering a workshop entitled, "Skillfully Engaging in Difficult Conversations," which will focus on learning and practicing skills. For more information and to register, go to: http://futurehealth.ucsf.edu/Leadership/Default.aspx?tabid=1107

Hospitals play such a crucial role in the US health care system that changing them is often seen as a complex and daunting undertaking. This month Ed O'Neil identifies the three most fundamental challenges hospitals face today to respond to the changing health care environment.

To read this essay, click here.

Joanne Spetz analyzed commuting patterns of registered nurses in California, based on the 2006 Survey of RNs. Many counties are predominantly "senders" while others are "receivers", which can affect county-level estimates of RN shortages. Read the report at: http://futurehealth.ucsf.edu/cchws/RNCommutingBrief.pdf

Deadline Approaching! Apply now for the 2008-2010 CHCF Health Care Leadership Program, a two-year fellowship for clinically trained health care leaders in California.  Join a network to shape a more responsive and effective health care system.  Applications are due May 15, 2008.  To complete an RFA, visit: http://futurehealth.ucsf.edu/program/chcf

Jean Ann Seago and Joanne Spetz published “Minority Nurses’ Experiences on the Job” in the Journal of Cultural Diversity’s Spring 2008 issue.  The paper reports on the satisfaction and experiences of nurses in California, with a focus on differences across racial and ethnic groups.

Gary Dougan, DDS, MPH, works to improve the oral health of Californians through direct patient care, consumer-oriented regulatory activities, quality assurance and community service.  To read more, including how Dr. Dougan’s participation in the CHCF Health Care Leadership Program and its alumni network contribute to his leadership development, visit: http://futurehealth.ucsf.edu/leadership/

The Center is a partner in the "First Annual Meskin Symposium" hosted by the Santa Fe Group. The conference "Expanding access to Primary Care: New Oral Health Workforce Models" will be held in New York City June 4-5, 2008. For more information visit: http://futurehealth.ucsf.edu/pdf_files/SantaFe_Invite2008.pdf

Policy, Politics, and Nursing Practice has published Joanne Spetz’s paper, “Nurse Satisfaction and the Implementation of Minimum Nurse Staffing Regulations,” online. Nurse satisfaction in California improved between 2004 and 2006, particularly with factors that would have been affected by the ratios.  Read the abstract (subscribers can download the paper) at: http://ppn.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/1527154408316950v1

A new report is available on Registered Dental Hygienists in Alternative Practice (RDHAP) that details the process of development and profile of the current RDHAP workforce, explores this new model of care delivery, and assesses its contribution to improving access to dental care. Read the report at: http://futurehealth.ucsf.edu/publications/index.html

There has been a push in recent years for allied health schools to incorporate cultural competency content into their programs. “Teaching Cultural Competence in Allied Health Professions in California” assesses the availability of cultural competency curricula in allied health professions schools in California. Read the issue brief at: http://futurehealth.ucsf.edu/pdf_files/Teaching%20Cultural%20Competence%20Issue%20Brief_final.pdf

New book! Edited by Linda Thompson Adams and Ed O’Neil, “Nurse Executive: The Four Principles of Management” is based on the Center’s Robert Wood Johnson (RWJ) Executive Nurse Fellows Program. The contributors, all RWJ graduates, discuss how to build the leadership competencies necessary to provide a new vision of the expanding leadership role for nurses.

Save the date!  The Network will be sponsoring a two-day cultural competence workshop, Addressing Health Disparities, in San Francisco August 8 and 9, 2008.  For more information, please see: http://futurehealth.ucsf.edu/TheNetwork/Default.aspx?tabid=110

The Center for the Health Professions Seminar Series, held the third Wednesday of every month, features presentations and discussions led by CHP staff and colleagues. May’s seminar, Using the American Community Survey in Health Professions Workforce Research, will be led by Tim Bates, MPP. Read more at: http://futurehealth.ucsf.edu/Leadership/Default.aspx?tabid=68

Do you want to improve your team-building, communication or other people skills? Emotional Intelligence (EI) is the foundation for these skills. On May 20th, the Center is offering a workshop entitled "Introduction to Emotional Intelligence at Work," which focuses on understanding EI and practicing skills. For more information and to register, go to: http://futurehealth.ucsf.edu/Leadership/Default.aspx?tabid=1221 

On June 11, 2008, the Center is offering a three-hour workshop on Change Management that will help participants facilitate change in their organizations by clarifying and using core values, developing creative responses and strategies, building alignment and effectively communicating their vision. For more information and to register, go to: http://futurehealth.ucsf.edu/Leadership/Default.aspx?tabid=1086

“Ending Nurse to Nurse Hostility; Creating a Healthy Supportive Culture” a workshop from the Regional Nurse Network presented by Kathleen Bartholomew, RN, RC, MN will be offered on two different dates, June 18th or 19th.  To learn more and register online, go to: http://futurehealth.ucsf.edu/Program/Inlp/Default.aspx