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Increasing Group Attendance. Overview. Charles Sellers, New Age Services Corporation, Chicago. The Problem. In January 2010, NASC offered 6 groups, with 50 clients participating in groups the week of Jan. 1, 2010. NASC would like to increase group participation 100% by June 30. Change Team.
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Increasing Group Attendance Overview Charles Sellers, New Age Services Corporation, Chicago
The Problem In January 2010, NASC offered 6 groups, with 50 clients participating in groups the week of Jan. 1, 2010. NASC would like to increase group participation 100% by June 30.
Change Team • One director, two supervisors (clinical and nursing), three counselors, receptionist, tox tech and the building supervisor were on the team. • One client was on the team (four were invited). • Nominal group technique was used to generate ideas.
Chosen Option Clients currently involved in a group would formally invite new clients to that group. • Several people on the team, including the client, noted that informal groups existed in the lobby, parking lot, etc. lead by “client leaders”. • These groups could be positive or negative in nature (discuss resources, discuss counselors, etc.) • Peer involvement and direction seemed to be a driving force. • The change team decided that we should utilize peer influences that could lead clients might togroups if brought to the group by another client.
PDSA • Plan • Formal invitations were written for existing group clients to give to new clients. • Do • Existing group clients handed out invitations to new clients following each group session • This occurred for 4 weeks in five groups. • Study • Average group attendance would be measured after the 4 weeks.
PDSA • Study • Average group attendance did not change significantly or consistently. ACTION: Review implementation process, ID potential changes to implementation plan for better results
PDSA • Issues identified as barriers to implementation: • Inconsistent delivery of invitation by existing group clients; do they really want to give the invitation? Were all invitations delivered? • Groups may have reached critical mass, can they take on new clients? • NASC had developed new groups since implementation plan was created, are clients being diverted to these groups instead? • PDSA Cycle Two Implementation Change: • Group Facilitators will deliver invitations to identified clients. • Only new, developing groups would be included. • Maintain 4 week measurement benchmark.
PDSA Cycle Two Results Again, no significant, consistent changes in group attendance.
Lessons • We thought we had a good idea, created through a good process that involved client input. • The data doesn’t demonstrate that the idea will work. • There are variables we didn’t account for initially (group facilitator reaction to the proposal, existing group exclusivity) and some we changed midstream (applying changes to different groups in each cycle. • We still think we have a good idea, but must let it rest and move on to other pressing issues. • Our change team learned the value of repeated cycles, even if we didn’t find success. • We have worked the process well, and are motivated to take on the next challenge.