“Most people have a need to act on old truths rather than to act on new ones.”
All In a Row
“What’s going on with our employee benefits and what are we going to do about it?”
5 Steps to Align Employees Toward Value in Healthcare:
1. Be “Real” About What You Want
“Hey, health system — this is what I really need from you in order to get back to my work and my life.”
2. Get a Clear Diagnosis
"A diagnosis is your “current location.”
3. Make Sure Your Expectations Are Set

Because, you need it and deserve it!
4. Advocate for Yourself
5. Schedule Follow-Ups with Triggers

5 Steps to Value in Healthcare Checklist
- 1.) Be “Real” About What You Want
- 2.) Get a Clear Diagnosis
Without a starting place, you can’t judge your care or management plan. One sure way to be frustrated and waste time and money is to have a care plan or management plan without a diagnosis. That’s called treating symptoms. When you are treating symptoms, you are not on the path to healing or value; you are on a path to frustration.
This is living with uncertainty. Uncertainty causes stress and drives us all crazy. Without knowing where we are when we start a journey, we are easily confused about where to go next. So remember, be clear about your “current location” and get a clear diagnosis.
- 3.) Make Sure Your Expectations Are Set
Did you catch that? I didn’t tell you to set your own expectations, but to make sure your doctor sets the expectation.This is where a provider communicates a treatment plan, expected range of symptoms, and the possible complications related to the condition.
How can you check if the expectations have been set? Imagine you are on your way home from the doctor’s office, and as you walk in the door you are going to encounter a friend or family member. Can you answer their questions: “What did the doctor say? What’s the next step?” You need to be able to summarize the diagnosis and the plan in less than 30 seconds.
If you can’t, ask your doctor to fill in the gaps.
- 4.) Advocate for Yourself
The number one driver for bad experiences, increased cost, medical errors and wasted time is too many providers. It’s not enough to simply know the roles of the people touching your care. You must also speak up for yourself, fight for what you need, and communicate well with each of those providers.
- 5.) Schedule Follow-ups with Triggers
Plan for the unexpected by scheduling a check-in with your provider no more than three months out. This timeframe varies based on the diagnosis. The more complex and newer the diagnosis, the sooner you should schedule the follow-up. It’s time to do something different!

Corey Booker, MD
PO Box 52383
Durham, NC 27717
1-888-777-0414
bedsiide.com
corey@bedsiide.com