At a recent medical meeting, an accepted approach was discussed for addressing difficult physician behavior—yelling, disrespect toward nurses, mistakes, or more serious concerns requiring “the talk.”
Often called a “coffee cup conversation,” it’s an informal, physician-to-physician discussion. For leaders, it’s a way to tee up the issue, hear the other side, express concern, and work toward a corrective path forward. It’s not the ethics committee, just a conversation over coffee. And it’s not confined to medicine alone; it’s a good way to open ongoing dialogue.
At the meeting, an attorney suggested documenting these conversations so that, if behavior continues, a record exists.
But how do you document a conversation over coffee?
His answer: with a thank you note.
Brilliant.
In it, you thank the person for showing up, for discussing key issues (____, ____, ____), and for agreeing on a way forward. Simple. Clear.
And now you have a record—firm, friendly, and available if needed for the next coffee…or the next ethics meeting.