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<\/p>\nHello, my name is Jeremy, and yes. I like data. In fact, these days I\u2019d go as far to say I\u2019m a data geek.\u00a0 I wasn\u2019t born as one.\u00a0 Neither was I nurtured as a child to embrace the use of numbers in daily life.\u00a0 In full disclosure, I admittedly disliked math class, regardless of how much I enjoyed my teachers.\u00a0 (Given my natural resistance to the whole process of math, I\u2019d say they were among my most effective teachers as they could keep me in my seat even though I would rather have visited the dentist.)<\/p>\n
No, what I\u2019ve learned is that data is both useful and powerful.\u00a0 I suppose it\u2019s like learning a new game.\u00a0 Initially, you gain an appreciation of the rules. Then as you become more familiar with the game you\u2019re better able to understand its underlying complexities.\u00a0 You can appreciate the intricacies of a well-played match.\u00a0 It also doesn\u2019t hurt to win said game, either.<\/p>\n
In today\u2019s world, folks are definitely winning the data-game.\u00a0 It\u2019s no longer just at the fingertips of accountants and insurance adjusters.\u00a0 Just look at how it\u2019s included in our daily lives.\u00a0 How it impacts us in very reinforcing ways.\u00a0 To further enhance this dynamic, we have embedded various electronic devices in our lives to gather sources of information.\u00a0 We track our \u2018likes,\u2019 our re-tweets, our caloric intake, our steps, even the amount of imaginary creatures we are able to capture.<\/p>\n
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Then, in the spirit of good data, we modify our behaviors in an attempt to optimize our efforts.\u00a0 Long gone are the days of, \u2018well, let\u2019s give it the old college try\u2019 or \u2018I feel like this could work.\u2019 \u00a0We know when we took it too easy in our last workout and thereby burned 65 fewer calories.\u00a0 We recognize that our last political post on social media yielded 20 fewer \u2018likes\u2019 than the jumping-pajama-wearing-goats video.<\/p>\n
As a self-professed geek, I\u2019m awash with personal and professional data.\u00a0 I enjoy measuring the various components of my life (well, mostly, except for the discouraging workout listed above). \u00a0Something that does give me pause when watching this flow of information, however, is questioning the integrity of the data and its collection process.\u00a0 Is it what I want to measure?\u00a0 Does measuring it meet the purpose of my goal?\u00a0 Can I trust the information\u2019s reliability?\u00a0 Is it available at intervals that are consistent with the spirit of my goal?<\/p>\n
Within Grafton, we\u2019ve gotten far beyond the concept that gathering data is a good process.\u00a0 We\u2019ve played the game and understand how it benefits our clients and employees.\u00a0 Long gone are the discussions about the appropriateness of a goal and its associated data (not that this conversation never occurs anymore, but it is something typically negotiated by an IEP or MDT team while they are forming at case conceptualization).\u00a0 In my opinion, we are now at a far more delicate and simultaneously frustrating juncture.\u00a0 We\u2019ve assessed the rules of our data-game, and now discuss its intricacies.<\/p>\n
The team now discusses the manner in which the goal is written and associated data that would be collected.\u00a0 Is it meeting the client\/employee\u2019s need on a variety of levels?\u00a0 Is it timely enough?\u00a0 How does the organization of the data and the reporting of information contribute to the treatment of the client and\/or development of the employee?<\/p>\n
Again, as a data geek, I\u2019m fascinated by these conversations.\u00a0 Each client offers a unique set of variables which impact the discussion.\u00a0 How long does the team anticipate needing our services for care?\u00a0 What are the discharge expectations for successful treatment?\u00a0 Does the spirit of the goal meet the expectations of all stakeholders, including the client as well?\u00a0 What does previous data tell us which would be relevant to the conversation?<\/p>\n
In terms of management conversations, our Key Performance Indicators dictate numerous factors for consideration.\u00a0 Past and current performances of the KPI can dramatically alter future goals.\u00a0 When we analyze ways to grow, would the current goal\/associated data help in the most effective manner possible?\u00a0 Are we engaging the correct stakeholders in these conversations, or are there other perspectives which could offer valuable insight?<\/p>\n
Can the details of these conversations become frustrating?\u00a0 Sure!\u00a0 At times, it would be easy to just shrug, take the path of least resistance, and consider it appropriate to compose a goal which would yield consistent data to measure its progress, and leave it at that.\u00a0 It would be more comfortable to avoid the conflict of varying opinions and extended discussions.\u00a0 Doing so, however, would be a disservice to our clients and employees, as well as all the decisions that we\u2019ve made over the years which have laid the foundation for such an opportunity.\u00a0 These data-driven discussions are much richer, and our clients and employees deserve that care and attention.\u00a0 It does take more work, but aren\u2019t they certainly worth it?<\/p>\n
If you find yourself in these conversations, reflect on the colossal steps that you and your team have taken to get to that situation.\u00a0 Be encouraged by all the work you\u2019ve already accomplished.\u00a0 You\u2019ve learned the data-game and are now thinking critically about the intricate variables which impact the client or employee who you support.\u00a0 Not only are you helping to form a new goal, but you are also contributing to our ever-evolving narrative as a data-driven organization.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hello, my name is Jeremy, and yes. I like data. In fact, these days I\u2019d go as far to say I\u2019m a data geek. I wasn\u2019t born as one. Neither was I nurtured as a child to embrace the use of numbers in daily life. In full disclosure, I admittedly disliked math class, regardless of how much I enjoyed my teachers. (Given my natural resistance to the whole process of math, I\u2019d say they were among my most effective teachers as they could keep me in my seat even though I would rather have visited the dentist.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[31,32],"tags":[67,187],"class_list":["post-4348","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-behavioral-healthcare","category-evidence-based-best-practices","tag-data","tag-data-driven-treatment-outcomes"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n