Sample Solution

Whether or not to invite the hospice president for lunch depends on a few factors, and ultimately the decision is up to you. Here's a breakdown of the situation to help you decide:

Reasons to invite her to lunch:

• Open communication: Meeting for lunch can be a good opportunity to open a dialogue and address her concerns directly. You can explain your referral process, discuss any challenges you're facing, and work together to find solutions.
• Build relationships: Even if you don't agree on everything, building a positive relationship with the hospice president can be beneficial in the long run. This can lead to smoother communication and collaboration in the future.

Full Answer Section

• Gather information: You can use the lunch as an opportunity to learn more about the hospice's needs and preferences. This information can help you improve your referral process and better serve their patients.

Reasons not to invite her to lunch:

• Limited impact: If you have data showing your referral rates are within normal range, or if you've already communicated your reasons for lower referrals, a lunch may not be necessary.
• Pressure to change: The hospice president might use the lunch to pressure you into making changes you're not comfortable with.
• Time constraints: If you're too busy or don't have the bandwidth for a lunch meeting, it's okay to decline.

If you decide to invite her:

• Come prepared: Gather data on your referral rates, analyze potential reasons for lower referrals (if applicable), and develop a proposed action plan to improve (if needed).
• Set clear expectations: Let the president know the purpose of the lunch and what you hope to achieve.
• Focus on solutions: Frame the conversation around finding solutions that work for both organizations and ultimately benefit the patients.

If you decide not to invite her:

• Offer an alternative: You could suggest a phone call or video meeting instead of lunch.
• Address her concerns: Briefly respond to her email or message, acknowledging her concerns and providing a clear explanation for your referral rates.
• Stay open to communication: Let her know you're open to future communication and collaboration.

Remember, the most important thing is to be professional, respectful, and transparent in your communication with the hospice president.