All the Write Moves: Caring for Clinicians While Improving the Work Environment

It's the daily, excellent small work that builds someone into an I-want-to-be-like-him-when-I-grow-up clinician. It's easy for that work to go unnoticed, though, and even the best of us need to hear -- or read -- about our impact.

Sure, the notes and mentions from patients are rewarding, but there's something spectacular about thanks from colleagues. It changes the environment. It enhances teamwork. It solidifies respect. And handwritten notes (the exception rather than the norm these days) show you spent a little extra time and thought. That extra time doesn't have to be a barrier to sincere, handwritten thanks, though. Here are a few tips to transform your unit, one note at a time.

• Be prepared. Purchase a set of blank thank you cards or plain note cards. I prefer completely blank cards, because I found "Thank you" isn't necessarily what I always want to say to my team members, coworkers, and leaders. If you're more of a sticky note lover, those work well, too. Keep your supplies at work, so you're more inclined to use them when the writing mood hits.
• Look for opportunities. We do great work every day as oncology healthcare professionals. It's quite amazing to see all of that work when we intentionally search for it. If you're looking for opportunities to say thanks or send a note of encouragement to a coworker, I promise you will find them. You will write your way out of note cards and sticky notes in no time.
• Write while the thought is fresh. So a coworker covered your rooms while you took a personal call. A team member caught your med error before it reached the patient. Your manager found someone to cover that short-staffed shift just in time, or you feel grateful that your educator showed you that wound-vac trick. If you think or say "Thank you" to someone, consider sending a handwritten note, too. Write it within a day or two for maximum impact and to help minimize forgetfulness.

After a few weeks, this will become routine. I guarantee people will take notice. You'll likely get thank yous for your notes. Not only does this handwritten method differentiate you from others, but it also slowly changes culture and attitudes and serves as a model of professionalism.

Though I have no empirical evidence of such, I have personally and anecdotally found, when done steadily and sincerely, handwritten notes to colleagues and team members increase professionals' satisfaction. And that is linked to everything from improved quality of care to reduced turnover.

Who can you send a note to this week?