Start with the “W’s” before “How”

The CaReMe transformation journey begins with an initial “homework” at your desk (Step 0) and working with you Core Team later, (Step 1) defining:

• WHY: The Vision that drives this transformation
• WHAT: The main Goals you aim to achieve, typically starting from the needs or “pain points” identified during clinical practice (i.e. in general, referring to improving outcomes by implementing the building blocks of the integrated interdisciplinary model of care as proposed by the CaReMe Global Alliance)
• To WHOM: The Specific Population of patients you are targeting
• From WHERE: The Local Epidemiology and outcomes and the Current Pathways of Care, including unmet needs, inefficiencies, etc. (i.e. the Problem)
• To WHERE: The Ideal/Desired Pathways of Care that should address the main defined goals
• With WHO: The Internal and External Stakeholders mapping (i.e. team approach)
• WHEN: The Timelines
• HOW: The Structured Plan to achieve your Goals

Although we generally follow a sequential step-by-step approach, the reality is that the thought process will be more “circular”; with the need to go back and forth across the different steps and tasks, to integrate new information and insights from different members of the team, as well as identifying opportunities, assess the actual feasibility, and ensure consistency across the overall plans.

Dedicate enough time (probably a few hours every time) where you (and, later on, together with your core team) can concentrate without other distractions. This is not an exercise that can be done while answering to other calls. Also, be mindful that it may, easily, take a few weeks or so to get ready and to engage your broader team –so be prepared for this.

• Remember: you will need 15-20 min to focus your attention to the new task at hand, then another 1-2 hours may be needed to structure your thoughts and progress the task to the desired outcomes.
• In the early stages of the process, you may find it useful to engage with another colleague or friend you trust, someone who – ideally – is aware of your local situation (e.g. work with you or operate in the same setting) or at least is knowledgeable in some way (e.g. may simply be someone who thinks creatively or in a problem solving way).This aims to stimulate the initial self-brainstorming activity and make it even more productive. There is no harm in having more than one, but this could possibly switch toward a “Team meeting” setting – which may require quite a bit more preparation, leadership and management from your side vs. a one-to-one setting.