Both in and outside of health care certain buzz words and phrases become so ubiquitously used that a shared understanding is assumed despite conflicting perceptions of what these sentiments actually mean. Examples in health care include: shared decision making, quality of life, professionalism, patient-centered care, and evidence-based. Each sounds positive and intuitive — what health care provider perceives her/himself as not professional and patient-centered or not providing shared, evidence-based, quality care that helps people? These traits and activities seem inherent to why one becomes a health care provider in the first place, and therein lies the issue. We say the same thing and assume no further definition is required when, in reality, we mean very different things.
I call this social phenomenon the “hazard of the common” and have been surprised how often it undermines professionals’ sincere efforts to communicate and collaborate. It can even generate considerable tension. If we assume a shared understanding and someone else acts contrary to that understanding, we often suspect a lack of professionalism, patient-centeredness or evidence rather than differing perceptions of common values. Below are a couple of examples from my work with a company that characterizes the unique ways different professional groups think to help those groups work together more effectively.
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