The Pulse | Monday, January 14, 2019
Introducing SGNA Communities
SGNA recently launched a new expanded online community, making it easier for its thousands of members to connect and exchange information with each other. Features include the ability to join groups based on location and interest, and new file libraries to share documents and files within your community.
We spoke with Wendi McDonough, MSN RN CGRN CPAN, SGNA Delaware President-elect and member of the SGNA House of Delegates, to learn more about the platform, what she’s looking forward to most and why this type of online communication is so vital in the field of GI.
What do you look forward to most with the launch of the SGNA Communities platform?
I look forward to increased interaction between regional members and reconnecting with members that have decreased participation due to location.
The distance between members can be a barrier to involvement. I have noticed that when several members work in the same hospital or outpatient center, they are more committed and attract new members. I believe this may be due to proximity, they see each other several times a week, bounce ideas off of each other, and remind members of meetings and deadlines.
Can you tell us how you envision this being used by members? What are some of its advantages?
I envision this platform to be a single place to look for information related to SGNA membership activities and professional updates.
Our region currently has files in a Dropbox account for minutes, reports and helpful information that members can access with a password. Only a few members have ever accessed this information. But, if it is all available when signing in to SGNA Communities, people won’t have to remember different websites and passwords (I have so many passwords!)
The option to have one Daily Digest e-mail that encompasses news from SGNA will help streamline email communications and notifications to members.
In an effort to increase member involvement, I currently update our regional website with meeting and conference information, create events on Facebook, and send e-mails and text messages to keep members in the loop. It’s a lot of work, and I don’t believe I reach everyone. Some members get hit with several messages and reminders, which may actually cause them to ignore the notifications, similar to “alarm fatigue” on cardiac monitors.
The SGNA open forum will give members a place to ask questions and post thoughts related to our profession. Although there is a discussion forum on the SGNA website, I feel it may be underutilized. Many people don’t know it’s there, so even when questions are posted, they may not get a quick response. SGNA Communities provides an opportunity to change that.
How is online communication – especially with a platform such as this – helpful in this field?
Online communication is a valuable tool that is useful in today’s fast-paced world. Health care changes rapidly and with the many facets included in the GI specialty, it is important to have a connection to standards, guidelines, and best practice in one location. Clinicians are busy and often don’t have time to research several sites for information. This forum will hopefully bridge the distance across the country and connect members who can then collaborate about hot topics and changes in a timely manner.
Interested in seeing the platform for yourself? Get started with the SGNA Communities page here.