Cause knowledge is power!

So as I have mentioned in previous entries my client is very old school in their way of thinking and doing things. So how does this relate to this weeks issues of knowledge and effectiveness? It speaks volumes about their failures in the world we live in today.
Let's start with knowledge. Currently they are very organizational which keeps knowledge of our problems and efforts constrained, we are having trouble getting the word out about the needs and shortages in our profession. Laboratory medicine is like this as a whole really... most are introverts that like to keep to themselves. This doesn't help our cause, we need to step out of the box, open the door to the world and welcome new ideas and new ways of thinking. The group has tossed around many ideas but there is only so much a group of about 15 people can come up with. We need to welcome the ideas and expertise of others and join forces with the world beyond the realm of the lab. Think about it... whenever nurses have a shortage the public knows about it. Why is this? Because they take their plight to the people and make the public aware of how this dilemma will affect them personally. We need to do the same thing! Without qualified lab personnel diabetics can't be monitored correctly, cancer patients won't get blood products as needed to get through chemo treatments, heart attacks will be undiagnosed and infections will be mistreated. I know this but does the average Joe? Do any of you know that 70% of all medical decisions made by a Doctor are based on results they get from the lab? Well you should and it is our job to make sure that you do!
This lack of knowledge also greatly inhibits our effectiveness. The great thing about a more network centric group is that people can come and go as needed.... some might think this is a bad idea but it is actually a strength! You see as we need specific tasks or ideas people can come in and help make it happen then leave, this keeps them from getting burned out with being part of the cause. Not everyone can commit themselves to a cause 365 days a year, myself included. This way people can serve a purpose and get back to their lives and come back when needed again. Plus with people coming and going new ideas will always be present, new ways of doing things and new viewpoints to tackle our problems.
Like wikipedia, we are stronger in numbers! While only a few will do a majority of the work, the other 20% is highly important and allows us to reach a greater audience including local government and the general public. We need both to make a difference.
The success of my client is only as great as their biggest failure. They are currently in a holding pattern and frustrated by the failure of their past efforts... it is time to take what we have learned and move forward! It is all about opening the door!