KMA Membership Committee Nairobi Division conducted a survey in June 2018 under Chairmanship of Dr. Macharia Waruingi of Ubrica, Convener of Membership Committee, Media Outreach Committee and Medical Camps Committee Nairobi Division KMA. Preliminary results of the survey show various concerns raised by the doctors who participated. We will be addressing each of the concerns one at a time.
Communication was one of the issue most doctors raised in the survey. It is evident from the survey results that most doctors feel there is an enormous gap in communication both synchronous and asynchronous. At Ubrica we have projects to improve communication among medics that are ongoing. There are also suggestions that doctors who participated in the survey gave.
Possible solutions for synchronous communication include :
• Increasing the number of CMEs and ensuring they are inclusive of all medical practitioners.
• Regular meetings on topics that are of interest to members. Topics like the projects KMA has. Members want to know what KMA is doing- the projects it is working on. It is critical that KMA keeps its members updated on the progress of its projects. Doctors want to know how KMA is using money that they contributed. Medics also want KMA to be addressing current health issues in the Country and in the Ministry of Health and communicating the actions they are taking or what part they are playing
• KMA to create a program for monthly conferences, workshops or symposia not only for medics to learn but also allow opportunities for them to gather and build new connections. This would be a great platform for doctors to share professional and life experiences. Having these symposia regularly may require a lot of financing but KMA can look for sponsors who can be funding the events.
• KMA can also organize forums where doctors are constantly updated on legislature and statues that doctors should always consider in order to attain best health practice and professionalism. If need be, during such forums they can involve other professionals such as lawyers who can give more insight on legislature and statues.
• Live streaming can also be done by medical professionals on YouTube, DTube or GoToMeeting. They can use these platforms to share experiences, ideas, concerns and talk more about their specialty.
Solutions for asynchronous communication include:
• Have an online newsletter for addressing doctors. We have created a telegram channel where frequent bulletins can be sent. I will share the link below for any doctor who wants to join.
• At Ubrica we have created a journal known as Clinical Proceedings from Hospitals of Kenya, where doctors can publish their clinical work. This journal will serve as an avenue for communication on all matters affecting doctors in Kenya and elsewhere. We expect doctors to volunteer to publish reports, anecdotes, cases, monographs and original research works that relate to their practice in clinical medicine. We will be sending out a call for editors very soon. We strongly encourage you to participate as an editor or as an author.
• Recorded videos of events can be shared on the various platforms.
• Medical professional can also share videos about their specialty.
• Social Media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn etc. are also very useful in passing information.
Effective sharing of information is critical in any organization. Good communication will ensure cohesiveness among doctors that will in-turn lead to proper development and goals achievement in KMA.
Complete KMA Member Satisfaction/ Needs Assessment Survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7K5GFDY
Join conversation on KMA Telegram group for in-depth updates here: https://t.me/joinchat/I1wWcki3NO3hlHs_zz9SWg
Join the conversation about Ubricoin on Telegram
https://web.telegram.org/#/im?p=c1262298390_5891675953416153455
Find Clinical Proceedings from Hospitals of Kenya
https://jghcs.info/index.php/cphn
Ubrica Official Discussion Group on Telegram https://web.telegram.org/#/imp=s1208873027_15507959344907715567
Author,
Caroline Muthoni Ndigirigi.
