Insights Gained Through the Case Study Methods and Their Practical Value
Analyzing complex situations, solving specific problems, and approaching relevant solutions are among the priorities that each manager should take into consideration while working in a health care environment. Using the case study method, therefore, is a great contribution to the personal experience, knowledge, and awareness of each manager and leader. In particular, challenges for policymakers and researchers in the medical sphere must be valued because they embody significant efforts aimed at improving and implementing effective practices, as well as facilitating improvements and decisions in patient safety and quality of care.
Posing challenges, facing problems, and overcoming those are the main stages of efficient and effective management (Baker, 2011). While analyzing discussing the major highlights from the case represented in the studies by Filipovitch (2006), greater realization of the role of organizational change and transformation in managing staff and controlling operation has been received. Specific attention should be paid to the rational analysis of costs and expenditures, as well as how rapid change can negatively contribute to the adequate delivery of high-quality health care.
The planned transformation is an integral component of the successful advancement of organizational activities. Because it involves multidimensional approaches to improvements, managers should take control of such issues as training programs for the staff, technology introduction, information exchange, financial management, and budget formation. Within these perspectives, case study analysis provides an enormous experience in all these spheres.
Understanding the Value of Acquired Knowledge for Understanding the Challenges of Leadership and Management
Learning more about empirical studies, as well as experiences that other organizations face is valuable because each manager should have a rich ideological and ethical foundation for running an organization effectively. It does not only increase the competitiveness of a health care center but provides the staff member with incentives to work hard and enthusiastically. Understanding empirical research through the case study method can fulfill the gap between practical knowledge and existing theoretical frameworks.
Recognizing quality as a priority in progressing specific approaches and strategies is indispensable to scan the healthcare environment and identify the distance between the current state of affairs in health care and the desirable one. Introducing evidence-based practice, therefore, is necessary to emphasize quality improvement and research implementation (Baker, 2011). Hence, if one change is to be introduced, other spheres should also be regarded because the health care environment is a complex network of intertwined chains where one aspect directly influences another.
Mutual connection between different aspects of health care management enables one to understand the links between problem, solution, and outcome. In this respect, a case study research is specifically useful when researchers need to understand the above-presented connection to be able to act in a real context. Gaining awareness of complex relationships and underlining existing healthcare practices explains why efforts to promote high-quality care are effective in particular cases (Baker, 2011).
Moreover, organizational cases studies contribute greatly to exploring alternative and innovative ways of development and advancement in the sphere of health care delivery and patient safety. It highlights the gaps that need to be fulfilled, as well as predicts what changes and strategies should be introduced to provide improvements.
Strategies Used to Address Complex Issues in the Workplace
Focus made on organizational change is at the core of the strategies that should be implemented to introduce improvements. The chosen framework also allows managers to effectively combine the conception of quality and increased competitiveness. In this respect, a patient-centered strategy is a ‘win-win’ solution for a health care organization to gain a competitive advantage over other centers and achieve the highest levels of health care services.
According to Hall et al. (2008), “the degree to which health services for individuals and population to increase the likelihood of desired health outcomes and are consistent with current professional knowledge” (p. 418). At this point, professionalism and necessary competence, as well as managers’ awareness of the role of nurses’ experience and knowledge in managing health care operations build up a necessary setting for quality assurances.
The second strategy that should be included in a transformation plan involves technological advancement. From the case study analysis, one can see that facing challenges can be fostered if appropriate equipment is introduced. At this point, conforming to the quality standards and achieving the required characteristics is possible through establishing high-quality information storage and electronic database for transmitting information and ensuring effective exchange among the nurses and their managers. Data recording, therefore, increases the efficiency of treatment and ensures the accuracy of information transfer.
Finally, readiness for change is characterized by the ability of managers to treat financial issues effectively. In particular, considering such aspects as budgeting, financial reporting, and balance sheets preparations is vital for keeping pace with the current norms and requirements of high-quality management. Understanding the principles of effective management enhances the overall work and cooperation within the organization, as well as provides greater control of processes.
The Role of Team Working in Understanding the Real-Work Experience of Working with Colleagues to Address Workplace and Organizational Issues
Solving problems in the team provides transparency and equality in promoting specific decisions and expands understanding of how a working set can be changed. Listening to each other, along with cooperation and mutual understanding, can significantly foster the quality and enrich the organizational culture of a health care center. In this respect, Hall et al. (2008) emphasize, “through continuing nursing education and participation in improvement activities, nurses can enhance their effectiveness as members of health care teams and can accelerate the pace of change within their workplace” (p. 419).
Indeed, fruitful cooperation and active participation in problem-solving and decision-making upgrade the overall understanding of team building as a new opportunity to shape a rich culture in a healthy environment. In addition, a team-based approach to identifying problems can also enrich nurses’ professional competence and create alternative pathways for personal development. More importantly, utilizing safety reporting and listening to managers’ and leaders’ instructions stimulate improvements and raise the overall quality of organizational culture.
Role of Obtained Experience in Advancing Skills and Knowledge on Being a Successful Leader, Manager, and a Critical Thinker
Understanding the complexity of the health care environment, as well as the sophisticated relationship between managers and their subordinates, is crucial for creating a favorable atmosphere and enriching organizational culture. The above-outlined strategies envision further organizational transformations and guarantee constant change of quality standards for the better (Kovner et al., 2009). The obtained knowledge, therefore, provides nurse leaders with an in-depth analysis of the health care environment and provides them with ideas and opportunities to adapt to a new structure and setting.
To be more precise, planning of social and bonus schemes, as well as rewarding programs for nurses, can encourage nurses to take an active part in exploring effective and advanced ways to improve patient treatment. What is more important is enhancing the internal potential of the hospital provides much more underpinnings for competing with the external environment. Using these skills can allow nurses to create a more effective transformation of an organization. Otherwise, lack of confidence awareness and ignorance of external competition can hamper the modernization process and increase nurse turnover.
Regarding the experience and knowledge achieved, the role of a leader is confined to the analysis of strategic schemes aimed at improving patient safety and quality of care through enhancing organizational culture.
To establish favorable relationships with colleagues, it is purposeful to create collaborative projects and alliances that would help managers cope with competitive environments, achieve organizational goals, and adjust to external pressures (Yarbrough & Powers, 2006). Partnership strategies should come to the fore to intensify competitive behaviors and make nurse professionals pursue goals that are congruent with organizational goals.
Equal distribution of responsibilities and the importance of rational resources allocation are among the priorities that can be achieved through the knowledge and skills gained through case study analysis. Nurse administrations should also gain a deeper understanding of how the international resource can contribute to the success of the organization within a context of rigorous competition. Finally, defining exact purposes and making sure that all staff members can fulfill is a contributing factor as well. Greater experience in applying practical knowledge should open new opportunities for organizational development.
References
Baker, G. R. (2011). The Contribution of Case Study Research to Knowledge of How to Improve Quality of Care. BMJ Quality and Safety. 20(1), 30-35.
Filipovitch, A.J. (2006). Organizational transformation of a community-based clinic. Nonprofit Management & Leadership, 17(1), 103-115.
Hall, L.W., Moore, S.M., & Barnsteiner, J.H. (2008). Quality and nursing: Moving from concept to a core competency. Urologic Nursing, 28(6), 417-425.
Kovner, A., R., McAlearney, A. S., & Neuhauser, D. (2009). Health Services Management: Cases, Readings, and Commentary. US: Health Administration Press.
Yarbrough, A.K., & Powers, T.L. (2006). A resource-based view of partnership strategies in health care organizations. Journal of Hospital Marketing & Public Relations, 17(1), 45-65.