Competing needs arise within any organization as employees seek to meet their targets and leaders seek to meet company goals. As a leader, successful management of these goals requires establishing priorities and allocating resources accordingly.
Within a healthcare setting, the needs of the workforce, resources, and patients are often in conflict. Mandatory overtime, implementation of staffing ratios, use of unlicensed assisting personnel, and employer reductions of education benefits are examples of practices that might lead to conflicting needs in practice.
Leaders can contribute to both the problem and the solution through policies, action, and inaction. In this Assignment, you will further develop the white paper you began work on in Module 1 by addressing competing needs within your organization
• Identify and describe at least two competing needs impacting your selected healthcare issue/stressor.
• Describe a relevant policy or practice in your organization that may influence your selected healthcare issue/stressor.
Competing Needs in Healthcare: A Case Study of Staffing Shortages
Identifying Competing Needs
In the complex landscape of healthcare, staffing shortages have emerged as a significant challenge, creating a tension between competing needs. Two primary competing needs that arise in this context are:
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Patient Care Quality and Safety:
- Need: Delivering high-quality, patient-centered care.
- Conflict: Inadequate staffing levels can compromise patient safety, increase the risk of medical errors, and negatively impact patient outcomes.
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Employee Well-being and Job Satisfaction:
- Need: Supporting employee well-being and job satisfaction.
- Conflict: Excessive workloads, mandatory overtime, and burnout can lead to decreased job satisfaction, increased turnover, and compromised patient care.
Competing Needs in Healthcare: A Case Study of Staffing Shortages
Identifying Competing Needs
In the complex landscape of healthcare, staffing shortages have emerged as a significant challenge, creating a tension between competing needs. Two primary competing needs that arise in this context are:
-
Patient Care Quality and Safety:
- Need: Delivering high-quality, patient-centered care.
- Conflict: Inadequate staffing levels can compromise patient safety, increase the risk of medical errors, and negatively impact patient outcomes.
-
Employee Well-being and Job Satisfaction:
- Need: Supporting employee well-being and job satisfaction.
- Conflict: Excessive workloads, mandatory overtime, and burnout can lead to decreased job satisfaction, increased turnover, and compromised patient care.