Improve Culture

Measuring Culture to Inform Action: A Rapid Literature Review

We all shape the cultures of organizations and teams we work within by how we communicate and interact with our colleagues. Improving cultures has been linked to better system-related and clinical outcomes, reduced adverse events and increased patient satisfaction¹.

But before we can improve cultures we need to measure and understand them, and there are many resources available to help do so. Some of our partners recently shared a need for research which could identify best practices of common measurement tools.

We conducted a rapid review of the literature – the report looks at seven common surveys used in health care settings to measure culture and offers data to support their use.

Culture Change Toolbox

Our Culture Change Toolbox features 21 tools and interventions for changing culture, along with tips on how to apply them.

In many work environments there are opportunities to improve culture. While this may seem like a daunting task, the good news is that we all, individually and collectively, have the power to do it.

The toolbox outlines the steps that we can take to shift culture in health care: engaging people, setting foundations, assessing the current state, identifying and analyzing opportunities, choosing tools, and testing changes.

ATTIC

Transform your team and ignite change! These 34 interactive activities can help your team accelerate improvement in health care and beyond, and each one comes with a purpose, instructions, time commitment/range, number of participants, resources required, and debriefing notes.

Categories include:

• Adaptive systems: Inspire change to suit evolving environments
• Communication: Improve the way information is understood
• Creativity & innovation: Train your mind to think outside the box
• Teambuilding: Lean to leverage all the talent from your peers

How Well Does Your Team Communicate?

Communication breakdowns often seem small and go unnoticed, when they can greatly influence the outcome of patient safety and quality of care¹. Shifting to a healthier culture is not an easy task but it starts with the question: “How well does my team communicate?”

This three-minute video and companion guide help to address “the elephant in the room” and improve your group’s teamwork and communication.

After watching the video, use the guide facilitate a debriefing conversation with your team. By engaging teams with a creative and non-clinical example, we hope to provide an opportunity to hone your observation skills and work to develop and improve how your team communicates.