Beth and I met with an office from BC last Friday to speak with them about implementing lasers into their practice.
They had already gone through the laser training with us to ensure that they meet the BC regulatory requirements and to have the confidence to treat their clients with lasers.
Implementation is a tough thing to do in every aspect of life.
We can learn something new and get excited about it but then life gets in the way. Navigating change can be challenging and fraught with obstacles. We can find ourselves going back to doing what we previously did and not implementing our new knowledge and skill.
I was so proud of this team to recognize that they needed assistance with implementation rather than just letting it ride and let lasers disappear in their practice like so many practices do.
What can we do to ensure implementation happens?! Change is the only constant in life, and in the dynamic landscape of our profession, implementing new programs is a crucial part of staying relevant and current, while standing out from the practice across the street!
Understanding the Why
Before diving into the implementation process, it's essential to understand the why behind the new program. What problem is it solving? What opportunities does it present? For example, create a list of potential clients/patients who can benefit from lasers. Knowing that you are providing best practice in your clinic will help ensure that everyone involved understands the purpose and benefits of the program. It creates buy-in and motivation, which are two crucial factors for successful implementation.
Clear Communication
Communication is the cornerstone of any successful change initiative. From the front administrative team to the clinical team, it's vital to keep everyone informed and engaged throughout the implementation process. Hold a team meeting and make sure everyone knows the importance of this implementation and that everyone knows their role.
Strong Leadership
Effective leadership is essential for guiding the implementation process and inspiring confidence in the team. Each practice should have one person who will lead the program. Leaders must set clear goals, allocate resources effectively, and provide support and guidance to overcome obstacles.
Tracking
It is important to monitor progress! We sent this office the 30-Day Tracker to help them track their progress. Implementing a new program is not a one-time event but an ongoing process. Monitoring progress is critical for identifying any issues early on and making necessary adjustments. Establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) and regularly tracking them allows you to measure the program's impact and make data-driven decisions to optimize its effectiveness. We have added this tracker for you below as a download.
Make changes where necessary and celebrate success! Keep an eye on the program and make changes where you need to. Perhaps you will need some additional mentoring for a team member, or a new patient communication strategy.
Implementing a new program is a complex and challenging process, but with careful planning, clear communication, strong leadership, and ongoing engagement, it is entirely achievable and very much worth doing!
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Have a great week!
Kathleen
Kathleen Bokrossy, RDH ~ President
