Total quality management (TQM) and continuous quality improvement (CQI) have not had the expected results in healhtcare. Much effort and resources and enthusiasm has been spent. Some have said the TQM and CQI don't work in healhtcare.

Let's look deeper.
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I have just begun to document what will become a rather lengthy "story" or article with lots of reference and links. Click here to read it.

It is great to hear from the front lines where the office staff and patients are working together to reach mutual goals. Here is an excerpt from Stacy's post.

1. FFMC will provide needed health care to our patients when they want and need it.
2. FFMC will provide pre-planned chronic illness care as a pro-active knowledgeable health care team interacting with our patients who are as active and informed managers of their chronic conditions as they desire to be.
3. FFMC will be the workplace of choice for our physicians and staff because of our high satisfaction with work and our high patient satisfaction.
4. FFMC will be a highly efficient office that does not waste the time and money of our staff and patients.

Lynne, I read your post of Jan. 27 with much interest. Teamwork is going to be key to improving the healthcare system and the work lives of healthcare providers. Nurses and doctors are not alone in the increasing isolation that has accompanied the accelerated pace and the heightened pressure to be accountable for costs globally. A book has been written by Robert D. Putnam, titled Bowing Alone. Follow this link for more information. http://www.bowlingalone.com/ 

I think this issue of teams and "community" are key to any useful improvement in our work and our lives.