How do we get clinicians to engage in health system change? ??
Dr MaryAnn Ferreux
Chief Medical Officer | NHS Non-Executive Director | Health, Equity & Inclusion Activist
In these really challenging times, this is the crucial question we should be asking ourselves.
We know that the NHS is under significant strain and that engagement of the clinical workforce has continued to decrease post COVID. There are lots of reasons for this including workload, stress, cost of living, lack of recognition, disempowerment etc.
As a medical leader myself, I know that doctors play a crucial role in healthcare delivery. ?In fact, research shows that this clinical leadership within healthcare teams drives 75-85% of all quality and cost decisions.
Gallup showed that in one hospital alone, there was a 26% increase in productivity for engaged doctors over disengaged doctors – Wes Streeting please take note!
https://news.gallup.com/businessjournal/181658/hospitals-overlooking.aspx
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So, what can we do to increase clinician engagement in leading change?
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6 Strategies that can work ??
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1)?????Discover a common purpose
2)?????Adopt an engaging style and talk in their language
3)?????Co-create solutions and turn clinicians into partners
4)?????Start with simple concepts to implement complex change
5)?????Communicate the case for change by using good data analytics
6)?????Show courage and provide clinicians with backup all the way to the Board
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To manage the increasing complexities in the NHS and improve health equity, outcomes, patient and staff experience, and value for money; we need to support innovation, promote culturally safe healthcare environments, and embed a continuous improvement culture.
Clinical transformation requires us to do something different.
We should be focusing on motivating and supporting clinicians to redesign clinical pathways, realise the benefits of digital enablers, and develop clinical networks that partner with patients.
For me, leadership is key to this work being successful. Let's commit to widening participation in clinical leadership to ensure that we have diverse decision-makers, and mentor and support our emerging clinical leaders.
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If you want to know more about medical leadership for the future, this is a fantastic paper from my college in Australia RACMA, definitely worth a read!
https://racma.edu.au/resources/medical-leaders-for-current-and-future-healthcare-report/
Interesting perspective on clinical workforce engagement. How do you think healthcare organizations can balance the need for change with the need for staff buy-in and support?