Tuesday Tidbits (A Chaplain Brooks Perspctive)

Photo Courtesy of http://www.lostlettermen.com/article/top-100-college-fball-traditions-97-baylors-real-life-bears-judge-joy-and-j

 

Bears,

Chaplain Brooks has been kind enough to grace us with this week's tidbits.  Enjoy!

 



* Every single MHA/MBA student this year experienced an oral examination in Organizational Ethics. Pick their brains. It’s perfectly fine to ask them which questions they were asked and about the details of their experience. In fact, I highly encourage it. Additionally, it would prove valuable for MHA-only students to borrow a copy of Weber’s Business Ethics in Healthcare from your classmates. Read chapters 1-13 and think about what you would say about the ethical issues presented. The Baylor-approved scope of my bioethics class was limited (biomedical ethics). However, over the course of this year all students should have gained perspective and knowledge adequate to address ethical issues in the context business, particularly in business of healthcare.

* Over-prepare. Prepare, prepare, prepare. Do not seek a minimalistic approach. Beyond the fact that your orals is at stake you need to fully use this opportunity to connect the dots with all of the knowledge you have been exposed to during this year. This will help you with your residency projects. More importantly, it will help you in the future to more successfully impact patients and their family members.

* During the evening before and morning of orals, keep your habits the same. In other words, don’t consume six cups of coffee to boost your performance – you may have unintended side effects that will interfere with your performance! "I’ll take a Venti Shock Triple Latte, a Biggby Red Eye, and a pot of ‘Death Wish Coffee’" (yes, such a coffee exists and you may purchase a bag on Amazon for 19.99 – fortunately it’s both organic and fair trade). As Han Solo would say, "I’ll see you in…the latrine."

* Answer what you know and acknowledge what you do not know. Avoid using terms that you cannot explain when questioned.

* Give the BLUF and THEN expand upon your answer. In other words, don’t walk us around the barn four times and then eventually get to your answer. Be clear and organized in your thinking process and in your presentation.

* INTEGRATE KNOWLEDGE. If appropriate, roll in some economics, law, and ethics (of course!).

* The board will have access to the particular projects you have worked on over the year. If questioned about a project, it’s helpful to be able to remember it (repressed memories? : ).
* Remember that some of the board members may not have been exposed to some of the terminology and concepts you have learned this year. Be aware of this and seek to translate this info for them. One person’s view on board prep 

* Do not attempt to guess what board members might like to hear. Use the knowledge and convictions you have gained to formulate a reasonable and intelligent answer and defend your answer (without being defensive or obnoxious – not that I’d expect that from anyone in our group this year).

* Don’t use your library voice; don’t shout either. Sit up (slouching screams that you don’t care). Look sharp. Make eye contact with board members. Avoid "you know" and "that’s a great question."

* Know the fundamentals (at minimum). They may not carry the day, but they may sink you if you do not know them.

* Practice with mock boards. Do not be complacent.

* Your goal: a superior performance. This type of performance is a great indicator of your future as a healthcare administrator.

SIC ‘EM BEARS!