JEDI

JEDI is a word introduced in 1977 with the Star Wars movie.  One way to interpret the word JEDI is the description of a character who possesses special talents, develops special skills, and continually works to make the universe better for others.  The JEDI must continually learn to discover areas of improvement, continually practice and refine their skills, and be humble (to avoid falling to the dark side). In so doing the JEDI become more impactful and leave the universe better off than they found it, and touch the lives of billions of people.

With that interpretation the JEDI sounds like an ideal for who we are, and who we want to be. We do not use lightsabers (though we can use the “light” [transparent expression of information] in precise ways as a powerful tool) and we are not at war (with opposing forces seeking mortal injury), but we are using special skills and talents to provide a way to make the world better for a world with billions of people.

We do this with special attention to:

• currency and minimizing time to answer during clinical use (Just-in-time)
• deep understanding and reliability assessment of the underlying facts and judgments behind our knowledge (Evidence)
• spreading our knowledge through many channels including clinical reference support in Internet and mobile app forms and influencing and informing guidelines, systematic reviews, clinical decision support, patient education, news and social media (Dissemination)
• coordinating how this all comes together so changes in one aspect or one area can appropriately and quickly change the rest (Integration)

As we continue to provide Just-in-time Evidence Dissemination and Integration, we will find the JEDI way has some practical messages.  The two JEDI training quotes I use the most frequently are:

“You must unlearn what you have learned” – When we question deeper and let some learned assumptions slip away we often unlock the potential for greater learning and accomplishment.

“Do or do not. There is no try.” – If you wait until you have it all figured out before you “do” and instead you spend your time “try”ing to figure out the perfect approach you won’t proceed.  At some point committing to the “do” requires you to complete figuring it out.