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Word from the SOGC President | April 2023

14 Apr, 2023

Communication and We, the SOGC, Need to do Better

This 2022-2023 period has been a year of change for the SOGC, its members and affiliates. Change in the Corporate SOGC CEO and national office, change in the ‘not for profit’ governance, change with a new strategic plan, and change in the way we do business in the post-COVID pandemic marketplace. In addition, there has been change in you, the obstetrics and gynecology providers, in how and when you want to use or give your valuable time. 

What are the three main definitions of communication?

Communication can be categorized into three basic types: (1) verbal communication, in which you listen to a person to understand their meaning; (2) written communication, in which you read their meaning; and (3) nonverbal communication, in which you observe a person and infer the meaning.

What is the best definition of communication?

Communication applies to the exchange of ideas and thoughts within two or more individuals. It can be done through writing, speech, gestures, symbols, or written communication. Communication is a continuous transmission of a message among two or more individuals, the sender and receiver.

Over this last year with all the SOGC change, there were many communications sent to the membership and affiliates.  Where ‘the rubber hits the road’, it seems that these SOGC efforts have missed the mark with many of the intended receivers. We have listened and understood. We want to do better but need to understand what is required to get ‘the message out’. We want not only your understanding of the organizational issues but for your feedback and participation; this organization is driven by volunteer positions.  The SOGC Strategic Plan (2021-2025) Stronger Together for Women’s Health has been the ‘north star’ for the SOGC Board, the SOGC Corporate office, all the activities and communications. We are hearing that not all of our thoughts, plans and goals have been well detailed or promoted to our valuable members. We will continue to address any feedback and improve messaging on new ideas and processes. Thoughtful use of all communication tools is essential.

What is the communication method of choice for our messaging

  • Email information focused to the membership-affiliate one day per week
  • A more comprehensive newsletter once a month
  • ZOOM an interactive opportunity to connect with members
  • A blog
  • Social media

The Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) has provided a summary related to ‘strengthening inter-professional communication’:

  1. Physicians and other health care professionals all agree on the importance of effective communication among the ‘health care team’ or in our case the membership.
  2. Several key communication themes are important:
  • communicating clearly.
  • providing sufficient (adequate) information.
  • offering timely information.
  • being polite and respectful.
  • responding to all members and affiliates related to the communication such as active listening.
  • use specific communication tools that may enhance the communication approaches and importance.

    The importance of effective written communications between physicians and other health care professionals cannot be underestimated.

    These communications considerations are clearly recognized and understood as the SOGC communication process has tried to promote and use these values in all the recent governance and clinical committee revitalization communication. Communication is a two-way street as communication requires a sender and an engaged receiver. There needs to be a trust and an understanding that the communication relationship is valued and wanted. Time and priority and life will ‘get in the way’ but we hope not often.  

    Organizations can produce highly reliable outcomes when their leaders nurture a culture and learning system that align with the organizations values / priorities (high quality health care, healthy professionals; collaborating to improve women’s health beyond clinical practice; partnering with women; a vibrant and resilient SOGC).

    The Institute for Healthcare Improvement has a framework that can be adapted for our communications; discussion using the two main components of culture and a learning-communicating system. Culture results from the interplay of psychological safety (to speak up), accountability, team communication, and feedback (negotiation). The learning – communicating system will allow the SOGC membership (and affiliates) to thrive and continuously interact for clinical education / guideline- research activities using new SOGC-JOGC guideline process via reliability, transparency, and learning.

    For those of you that read this Presidential message, please provide feedback and send your thoughts on communication (how, when, what, how often) to my SOGC email president@sogc.com.

    And remember, success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts (Winston Churchill) as I live by this statement everyday.

    Sincerely R Douglas Wilson MD MSc FRCSC

    SOGC President 2022-2023