Elevating Culture in Your Practice

What’s all this talk about having a good “culture” in your practice to attract great candidates for staff these days. You’re supposed to put it in your job ads and talk about it with applicants.  But what is it really?

Culture is a squishy term – it has many different connotations.  Some think of it in terms of manners or sophistication, while others (younger, usually) think of it as socializing (read “drinking or partying”) with the staff after hours.

Culture De-mystified

Here is a little clarity to de-mystify this elusive but desirable thing called “culture”.

1. Patient-Centered Care: The focus on providing personalized, high-quality care with empathy and respect. Canadian healthcare practices prioritize patient comfort, informed consent, and effective communication to build trust and long-term relationships with patients.
2. Work Environment: The team dynamics, including collaboration, mutual respect, and support among the team members.  A positive culture emphasizes teamwork, continuous learning, and a commitment to professional development.   In short, being sensitive to other team members’ needs and problems.  Helping each other be the best they can be.
3. Diversity and Inclusivity: Canada is known for its multicultural population. Practices are often sensitive to diverse cultural norms, languages, and traditions, ensuring inclusivity in treatment and communication. This might involve multilingual staff or adapting care to respect various cultural expectations related to health.
4. Ethical and Professional Standards: Canadian practice culture is influenced by strict adherence to ethical practices, regulations, and guidelines set by provincial regulatory bodies. This includes maintaining confidentiality, practicing within professional standards, and ensuring safety and hygiene.
5. Work-Life Balance: There is an increasing emphasis on maintaining a healthy work-life balance for practitioners and staff, promoting well-being, reducing burnout, and fostering a supportive, collaborative atmosphere
6. Sustainability and Innovation: Many Canadian practices are adopting eco-friendly practices, such as reducing waste and using sustainable materials. Additionally, they embrace technology and innovation in treatment methods, patient records, and communication.
7. Leadership Style – How leaders manage teams, make decisions, and communicate.
8. Work Environment – The general atmosphere, including whether it’s competitive, collaborative, laid-back, or high-pressure.
9. Norms and Behaviors – How people typically act or are expected to act within the organization (e.g., formal vs. casual work environment).

Staff Retention

A toxic or negative culture in a practice can result in high turnover of staff and poor performance.

A strong culture in a practice not only enhances the workplace for the team but also improves patient satisfaction and outcomes.  It leads to higher employee engagement, retention, and productivity.  And that’s what you want, right?