Moving Forward to Nurture Workforce Resilience in Crisis
1Katie M. Owensis CEO of the Healthcare Experience Foundation in Pensacola, Florida.
Frontiers of Health Services Management
|August 26, 2020
Summary
This study highlights the critical role of resilience in healthcare organizations. Enhancing employee resilience is vital for improving both staff well-being and patient care, especially post-pandemic.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Organizational Psychology
- Leadership Development
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted healthcare professionals' well-being.
- Resilience is a key factor in maintaining performance and mitigating burnout in high-stress environments.
- The abstract emphasizes the observed positive and negative effects of resilience in healthcare settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the impact of resilience on healthcare organizations and their employees.
- To identify strategies for improving employee resilience during and after crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To understand how enhanced employee self-care contributes to improved patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- The author draws upon 12 years of experience coaching leaders, staff, and physicians.
- The firm's work with hundreds of hospitals and health systems informs the findings.
- Qualitative insights from organizational interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic are central.
Main Results:
- Organizations with higher resilience demonstrate better performance and employee well-being.
- Lack of resilience in healthcare staff leads to negative outcomes for both individuals and patient care.
- Interventions focused on self-care can effectively support distressed employees.
Conclusions:
- Fostering resilience is essential for the sustainability and effectiveness of healthcare systems.
- Investing in employee well-being and resilience directly benefits patient care and recovery.
- Proactive strategies are needed to support healthcare professionals in navigating challenging times.
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