Supporting the success of a health system in any capacity is a noble but hard, sometimes all-encompassing, job. There are odd and sometimes long hours to keep, concerned caregivers with questions to be answered, insurance and billing policies to enforce, strict protocols and procedures to follow and all the other messy, uncomfortable nuances and misunderstandings that inevitably ensue any time two or more humans interact for prolonged periods of time.
It’s a lot to shoulder all while keeping the health, safety and well-being of patients top of mind.
Their answer? “Off Label” sessions.
An opportunity for individuals to come together in a shared, safe space to discuss issues and concerns in a candid, authentic and non-judgmental way, the sessions give folks who might otherwise not deeply connect the chance to do so.
“[During a session], we’re all on a first-name basis,” Farroni said.
Available by request, these sessions sometimes can be tied to a specific case or situation, or they can be more “big picture” and related to the overall dynamics of a team. Whatever the scenario, the goal of the encounter remains the same, Farroni said.
“Let’s just talk and come together about the emotional experience of what they’re going through and glean a mutual appreciation of the experience of others,” he said.
Launched before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the initiative took on a whole new life as members of the UTMB community—along with the rest of the world—soldiered through the uncertain, exhausting, sometimes lonely early days of living with the new virus.
“It kind of just blew up, and we started doing them all over the place,” Farroni said.
With the initial shock of the pandemic subsiding and individuals and teams settling into the now “not-so-new" normal they face today, demand for the chats has slowed a bit. But Farroni and Cupit know the need hasn’t gone away, so neither has the option to have these important meetings. In fact, with the delivery of health care continually shifting to a more multidisciplinary model and approach, Farroni argues that initiatives like the Off Label sessions will become even more valuable.
“Every specialty and team member has a different lens through which they see the patient experience and journey, and these talks help others glean better insight into those varying perspectives and viewpoints,” he said.
He and Cupit regularly carve out time for this important work, understanding just how vital it is.
“This work means a lot to Jeff and me,” Cupit said. “It has fostered connection and compassion in groups that weren’t even aware they needed it.”
To ensure fair and equal coverage for all members of the Health System, Cupit and Farroni visit each UTMB campus, and they’ve since had Social Work Manager Rebecca Castro join the charge and assist with coverage on the Ambulatory front.
“She is a great addition to the team,” Cupit said.
Additionally, Ashley Linder, manager for the CMC Wellness Program, mirrors a lot of the work being done by the Off Label trio of Cupit, Farroni and Castro in the Correctional Managed Care space, offering similar services and respite to the individuals working with that team across the state through what has grown into a formalized CMC Wellness program.
It’s a need folks are glad to see being met so intentionally.
“They’re part of the UTMB family as well,” Farroni said.
More information on the "Off Label" sessions and other wellness resources is available on the Employee Resources webpage.