Maureen Bisognano, Former IHI President and CEO
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Learning Objectives: At the end of this activity, you will be able to:
Recognize the value of storytelling to motivate others.
Discuss the potential impact asking patients, “What matters to you?”
Description: When former IHI President and CEO Maureen Bisognano was helping to care for her brother many years ago, she learned a powerful lesson. Instead of pushing him through another aggressive cancer treatment, one thoughtful physician paused to ask a simple question, “What do you want?” That question, and its close relative, “What matters to you?” changed the end of Maureen’s brother’s life and inspired Maureen to pursue a meaningful career in health care improvement.
Discussion Questions:
- What emotions did Maureen’s story about her brother evoke in you?
- Did you find Maureen’s personal story to be motivating? If so, what made it effective? In general, how can storytelling be valuable for leaders seeking to motivate others?
- Maureen says a physician “broke every rule in the hospital” to help her brother die at home. Do you think his actions were warranted? What would you have done in the same situation?
- Why are you interested in improving health care?
