Managerial Issues in Healthcare Industry - Essay Example

? Running Head: PREPARING FOR MANAGEMENT Summary Within the healthcare industry, management serves as the main functional occupation facilitating implementation of healthcare programs. Managers within the industry assume traditional managerial roles in coordinating efforts of employees and other stakeholders. Typical roles include planning, organizing, directing and controlling the numerous service delivery systems within a given healthcare institution. In practical settings, healthcare institutions involve provision of services to both the short-term and the long-term patients. With respect to the period of service reception, it is understandable that long term patients requires more care compared to short term patients. This means that the long term category requires correspondingly long management services in order to improve their conditions. Wolper (2010) says that from a theoretical perspective, the role of nursing managers entails coordinating employees’ efforts in the process of striving to accomplish desired objectives. In this context, the quality of goals achieved depends on the intensity and efficiency of management skills used. Consequently, healthcare managers need to acquire relevant professional skills. Acquisition of appropriate relevant skills will enhance accomplishment of healthcare objectives. Theoretical Background Practical settings within a healthcare industry require management employees to possess professional skills related to their work. These skills are largely applicable in responding to demanding situations, especially in long term healthcare management programs like in the diabetes patient group, which is evaluated in this essay. From a theoretical perspective, existing management theories finds relevant and substantial application within the healthcare management industry. According to Arnold (2007), the most common management approach applied within the healthcare industry involves the scientific theory. Based on this theory, managers create structures meant to perform specified duties outlined within a given healthcare program. In addition, scientific management involves establishment of benchmarks and clear outcomes expected upon completion of a healthcare program. It is the function of management to establish the structures, determine benchmarks and communicate expected outcomes to subordinate employees. Arnold (2007) adds that managers will then delegate authority to subordinates charged with performance of respective duties. Finally, evaluation systems serve the purpose of evaluating productivity of individual nurses within a healthcare facility. Another appropriate management theory used within the healthcare industry is the patient-centered care approach. It has become evident that scientific management theory proves rigid and non responsive in certain circumstances. Kalunzy and Michael (2006) agree that the healthcare industry is becoming competitive, just like any other business environment. This means that executives need to customize their management strategies in order to elicit a positive response from their client population. With the increasing number of diabetes patients, it would be appropriate to utilize a patient-centered approach in addressing their needs. In this context, the patient-centered approach facilitates development of customized healthcare programs, especially to the long term care patients. According to Moore (2010), this approach discourages the bureaucratic relationship between top managers and employees commonly applied in scientific theories. In fact the theory emphasize on the need to perform nursing duties through collaborative means. As a manager using this theory, typical duties involves promoting collaboration and inter-relatedness between different departments in the same healthcare facility. According to Basford and Slevin (2003), this system allows nurses to provide customized and quality care services to their patients without hindrance from the rigid organizational goals. In the process, nurses will strive to deliver quality medical services in the most efficient and cost effective manner. Consequently, management adopting this theory realizes excellence in service delivery and desirable financial results. Another relevant theory affiliated with the patient-centered care is the contingency resource theory. Masters (2012) agrees that this theory acknowledges that the healthcare industry experience constant flux in the demands of patients within a facility on any given time. In this case, the contingency approach agrees that managers should be always flexible in responding to patient care programs. At this juncture, all the theories discussed above find substantial application actual nursing management practices. Management Styles In order to ensure effective delivery of management functions, nurses needs to be conversant with relevant management styles within the healthcare field. Long term patients usually needs consistent and efficient care programs in order to develop desired responses. According to Wilkins (2013), this means that managers need to learn the styles that will facilitate delivery of the required services to long term patients. The first relevant approach involves the integrative management style. Integrative management style seeks to harmonize and incorporate the numerous factors influencing care delivery. Nursing care experience numerous influence from internal and external factors like government regulations and technological advances. This means that the healthcare industry is undergoing a continuous dynamism in terms of equipment used and regulations governing healthcare processes. Holman (2007) agrees that integrative management style strives to enhance service delivery using improved technology and minimizing negative influence of government regulations. In the long run, integration leads to increased efficiency and decrease in service delivery costs. The other management style employed within the industry is the utilization approach. Utilization has close relation with the evidence-based approach. In evidence-based approach, nursing managers depends on information from previous treatment and care programs. According to Goldsmith (2005), managers acquire information directly from patients and subordinate care givers. In this case, managers get to learn about the most effective programs and the attributes of costs and effects associate with the identified programs. This approach allows managers to make informed decisions based on practical results from previous programs. In the context of utilization management style, healthcare administrators evaluate the reliability of programs used in administering care services. In addition, managers analyze on whether all sections of a treatment program contributes towards accomplishment of objectives. Goldsmith (2005) adds that utilization style involves a case where managers will appraise the overall utilization of a treatment plan. In the process, managers will eliminate those sections which feature as being underutilized. This move serves the purpose of reducing care costs and adding other procedures meant to improve quality of care programs. Care Delivery Models Upon acknowledging the of management styles, managers also needs to learn on the relevant nursing models. Long term patients on the diabetes patient group require reception of healthcare services over an extended period of time. In this case, nursing managers needs to ensure that the models of service delivery used will allow provision of care services over a long period. One nursing care delivery model within the industry is the primary nursing model. According to Kenneth, McCarthy and Schafermeyer (2007), primary nursing model involves a case whereby a single group of nurses provides care services to a group of long term patients within a given facility. In this model, one group of nurses provides the entire care procedures from the point of admission to when patients are discharged from a healthcare facility. This means that primary model requires a 24-hour supervision of a group of patients by the nurse team. Kenneth et al., (2007) says that during service delivery, the nurse team communicates with other departments like the finance department regarding the needs of patients. In the context of application, nursing management needs to acknowledge the fact that primary nursing care model possesses both positive and the negative qualities. Primary nursing model is advantageous because a primary nursing team can develop a good understanding on their patience; hence responding to their needs based on their understanding. However, primary model proves cost intensive because of the 24-hour supervision required of primary nursing team. The other relevant care delivery model suitable for long term patients is the progressive patient care system. This model postulates that patients will always move from one phase to the next during their treatment period. In this regard, the patients on a long term care program fall under different phases based on their degree of illnesses. In nursing service provision, the degree of illness dictates the dependency of patients on a nurse. According to Brown (1992), this model proposes that patients falls under four phases of the progressive tract. These phases include intensive care units, self-care units, and intermediate care units and finally out-patients care units. This model postulates that patients will only be assigned the attention of nurses based on their medical attention needs. Long term patients under the intensive care units deserves more time with nurses compared with those under the out-patient program. In this context, management will learn that patients will only be assigned nurses when the nature and degree of their conditions demands attention. According to Morrison (2009), this model proves advantageous because it enables rational and cost effective utilization of nurses within a healthcare facility. Long Term Patients and Expected Outcomes At this juncture, we have acknowledged the role of managerial theories in models in nursing care delivery. In this case, we will evaluate a practical application of these theories and models in administering nursing care to a group of long term patients within a given healthcare facility. Within modern healthcare facilities, it is common to encounter a large group of patients with diabetes. This medical condition requires long term care attention. According to Davidson (2004), the most desired outcome upon completion of care on diabetes patients is that nurses wants patients for experience minimum depression levels. Relevant psychological studies indicate that approximately 60% of patients suffering from diabetes have substantial levels of depression in their lives. In this regard, the first expected outcome at the end of a care program seeks to enable diabetes patients to manage depressions in their lives. Davidson (2004) says that another problem experienced by diabetes patients is administration of self-care services. Despite the fact that diabetes is a condition that requires long term care, it is worth knowing that most patients will fall under the outpatient category. In this case, diabetes patients will need to administer self-care programs during treatments. Typical self-care for diabetes patients includes insulin injections, dietary balance and blood sugar checks. At the end of their care program, diabetes patients should have attained these desired outcomes. In practical situations, nurses play a significant role in developing desired outcomes among the diabetes patient population. Typical roles include counseling patients upon turning positive of diabetes tests, advising patients on appropriate diet, administering insulin injections to patients and giving other forms of tests and medications. According to Davidson (2004), nurses can only perform these duties if they possess relevant professional skills. In addition, roles like counseling and advising diabetes patients requires nurses to possess the right attitudes for their job. At this juncture, we will evaluate the professional skills and attitudes required among the nurse population. Professional Requirements Prior to administration of nursing programs, individuals should possess relevant certification for their professional credentials. In most cases, nurses should possess at least a diploma or an associate degree from a recognized institution. In addition, nursing graduates must have undertaken a placement program within a medical facility. Kronenfeld (2011) emphasize that nurses should possess inherent knowledge in care delivery to different categories of patients across all age brackets. In addition, nurses may have a bachelor’s degree from recognized universities. In this case, university degree equips nurses with knowledge on nursing theories, patient care models and the required chemistry in human development. In this regard, nursing should possess relevant and credible educational qualifications in order to deliver the required services. In the context of diabetes patients, the chemistry of human development and nursing theories will enable nurses to achieve desired outcomes upon completion of a nursing care program. Collaborative Skills Apart from professional skills and knowledge, nurses should possess the right interpersonal and collaborative skills. According to Morrison (2009), one requisite attributes in nurses is the problem solving skills. In college or university education, nurses take substantial courses on mathematics and other natural sciences. In the process, nurses will acquire the relevant ability to solve problems. Nurses couple this skill with psychology and human anatomy in responding to numerous problems encountered in patient care delivery. In addition, nurses should also demonstrate significant companionship skills. In most cases, diabetes patients appear scared and depressed upon acquiring knowledge on their condition. According to Wilkins (2013), diabetes patients may also depict elevated levels of fear concerning treatment methods like insulin injections. In this context, nurses should assist patients in managing their new realities in life. Patients suffering from fear and depression need to remain calm and composed throughout their lives, in order to achieve desired objectives of a care program. Therefore, nurses will have to spend a substantial amount of time comforting and helping patients to make decisions. Attitudes The last requisite skills touch on attitudes and emotional portrayal during performance of respective duties. In practical application of attitudes, nurses ought to remain optimistic and cheerful in their duties. Optimism enables nurses to learn new things and skills in their lives. In addition, this positive attitude plays a significant role in improving the attitude of patients during the care delivery programs. Another appropriate attitude required among the nursing fraternity is respect and tender judgment on other people. According to Smith (2012), nurses interact with different people within their workplaces, which include their fellow medical staff and patients. In the context of diabetes patients, nurses should be involved in developing solution to patients’ problems. According to Ellen (2011), this means that nurses should demonstrate good listening and judgment skills during conversations with patients. In addition, nurses should exercise substantial degree of respect, especially towards the opinions of other parties within a healthcare system. The other resourceful attitude on respect is the respect on dignity and the civil rights of patients. Ethics demands that patients have a right to participate in their treatment programs. In the context of diabetes patients, nurses should involve patients in decision making processes. This will improve the outcomes and image of nursing as a disciplined profession. Conclusion At this juncture, we have acknowledged that nursing management plays a significant role in ensuring the outcome of healthcare systems. This management field specifically benefits patients with long term medical conditions. In the essay, we also acknowledged that managers within the nursing field should possess requisite management styles and skills in order to perform their duties competently. In addition, analysis on appropriate professional and interpersonal skills facilitates further understanding on the role of nurses in healthcare programs. Therefore, nursing management is a field that required significant mastery of theories, skills and professional knowledge. Reference List Arnold, K. (2007). Essentials of Health Care Management. Leeds: HarperCollins Publishing. Brown, M. (1992). Health Care Management: Strategy, Structure and Process. Cardiff: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Davidson, J. (2004).Clinical Diabetes Mellitus: A Problem Oriented Approach. Bradford: Elsevier Publishing. Ellen, F. (2011). Evidence-based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare. London: John Wiley & Sons Publishing. Goldsmith, B. S. (2005). Principles of Health Care Management: Compliance, Consumerism and Accountability in the 21st Century. Cardiff: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Holman, L. (May 11, 2007). Skills Required for Nursing. voices.yahoo.com. Web May 5, 2013. Retrieved from http://voices.yahoo.com/skills-required-nursing-92780.html?cat=4 Kalunzy, D., & Michael, S. S. (2006). Health Care Management: Organization Design and Behavior. Birmingham: Thomson Delmar Learning. Kenneth, L. McCarthy, R. & Schafermeyer, W. (2007). Management Styles in Nursing. Sheffield: Random House Publishing. Kronenfeld, J. J. (2011). Reorganizing health care delivery systems. Glasgow: Simon and Schutser Publishing. Masters, K. (2012). Role Development for Professional Nursing Practice. Cardiff: Jones & Bartlett Learning Moore, D. L. (2010). Guide for the development and management of nursing. London: Bloomsbury Publishers. Morrison, E. E. (2009). Health Care Ethics: Critical Issues for the 21st Century. Edinburgh: penguin Books. Slevin, O. & Basford, L. (2003). Theory and Practice of Nursing: An Integrated Approach to Caring Practices. London: Oxford University Press. Smith, T. (January 28, 2012). Models of Nursing Care Delivery. currentnursing.com. http://currentnursing.com/nursing_theory/models_of_nursing_care_delivery.html Wilkins, W. L. (2013). Diabetes Mellitus: A Nurse’s Guide to Patient Care. London: John Wiley & Sons Publishers. Wolper, L. F. (2010). Health Care Administration: Managing Organized Delivery Systems. London: Pearson Education. Read More