To facilitate the process, CHEST engaged a market research and consulting agency with expertise in environmental scans and a client base of nonprofit organizations and associations. The consultant conducted secondary research organized around six drivers of change selected by CHEST leadership:
• Health Care
• Economy and Workforce
• Technology
• Education, Content Delivery, and Career Advancement
• Social, Political, Regulatory, and the Environment
• Philanthropy
The leadership had the opportunity to review the consultant’s research findings prior to the Environmental Summit. Then, in the in-person BOT/BOR summit meeting, the consultant’s research findings were discussed and debated and were addressed with the following questions:
• How will this trend impact members? How will it change their work environment and what they need to know?
• How will this trend impact CHEST? What are the challenges and opportunities?
• What responses or actions should CHEST take?
• Does this insight require changes to our strategic plan?
The consultant synthesized the debates and discussions and prepared a draft document that shaped this year’s document.
The 2019 CHEST Environmental Scan, which will be undated periodically, will be used to:
• Inform members about external developments and put each in perspective
• Help leadership and staff determine future directions and program opportunities
• Keep the 5-year strategic plan fresh and relevant
The environmental scan will be published in six monthly installments in CHEST Physician, with each installment addressing one of the drivers of change. Most of the content is confirming rather than revolutionary in nature. Each installment will be accompanied comments from one of four leading physician experts who will put the content into perspective.
The two other components of the CHEST Inspiration program are to engage a group of experts from outside the field of medicine and health care who are innovative and successful in their own professions. This focus group of professionals from outside of our association will be held in conjunction with the June Board of Regents meeting. An additional component to stimulate innovative thinking and celebrate great ideas will be a new competitive event at the annual meeting. Dubbed “CHEST FISH Bowl (Furthering Innovation and Science for Health),” this event will launch this month, with contestants submitting video applications that feature their great idea, and winners in selected categories to be selected at CHEST 2019 in New Orleans. CHEST Physician will be your source for information about all the CHEST Inspiration programs through a new series of articles called “CHEST Inspiration: Pacing the Future.”