Posted: April 19th, 2022

Critique best practice principles for governance in the clinical environment

Critique best practice principles for governance in the clinical environment

Governance in the clinical environment refers to the processes and structures that ensure the quality, safety, and accountability of health care services. Governance is essential for improving patient outcomes, reducing risks, and enhancing organizational performance. However, governance is not a one-size-fits-all concept, and different clinical settings may require different approaches and strategies. Therefore, it is important to critique the best practice principles for governance in the clinical environment and identify the strengths and weaknesses of various models and frameworks.

One of the best practice principles for governance in the clinical environment is to adopt a patient-centered approach. This means that the governance system should focus on the needs, preferences, and values of patients and their families, and involve them in decision-making and feedback mechanisms. A patient-centered approach can improve patient satisfaction, trust, and loyalty, as well as reduce complaints and litigation. Moreover, a patient-centered approach can foster a culture of learning and improvement, where errors and incidents are reported and analyzed, and lessons are shared and implemented. A patient-centered approach can be supported by tools such as patient surveys, complaints management systems, patient safety indicators, and patient experience frameworks.

Another best practice principle for governance in the clinical environment is to align the governance structure with the organizational strategy and objectives. This means that the governance system should reflect the vision, mission, values, and goals of the health care organization, and ensure that they are communicated and understood by all stakeholders. A clear and coherent governance structure can facilitate coordination, collaboration, and integration across different levels and units of the organization, as well as external partners and regulators. A well-aligned governance structure can also enable effective monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of performance indicators, outcomes, and impacts. A well-aligned governance structure can be supported by tools such as strategic plans, balanced scorecards, dashboards, and audits.

A third best practice principle for governance in the clinical environment is to promote a culture of leadership and accountability. This means that the governance system should empower and enable leaders at all levels to exercise their roles and responsibilities in an ethical, transparent, and responsive manner. A culture of leadership and accountability can inspire trust, confidence, and commitment among staff, patients, and stakeholders, as well as foster a sense of ownership and pride in the organization. A culture of leadership and accountability can also encourage innovation, creativity, and excellence in service delivery and quality improvement. A culture of leadership and accountability can be supported by tools such as leadership development programs, performance appraisal systems, recognition schemes, and codes of conduct.

These are some of the best practice principles for governance in the clinical environment that can enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of health care services. However, these principles are not without challenges and limitations. For instance, implementing a patient-centered approach may require significant resources, training, and cultural change; aligning the governance structure with the organizational strategy may entail complex negotiations and trade-offs among competing interests; and promoting a culture of leadership and accountability may demand high standards of professionalism and integrity. Therefore, it is crucial to critically assess the applicability and suitability of these principles for different clinical contexts and situations.

Bibliography

– Braithwaite J et al., ‘Health Systems Improvement Across The Globe: Success Stories From 60 Countries’, CRC Press (2018)
– Davies HTO et al., ‘Healthcare Governance: A Guide For Effective Boards’, CRC Press (2019)
– Gagliardi AR et al., ‘Governance Of Quality Of Care: A Qualitative Study Of Health Service Boards In England And Australia homework help – write my masters thesis’, BMJ Quality & Safety 23(6), 474-482 (2014)
– Institute Of Medicine (US) Committee On Quality Of Health Care In America., ‘Crossing The Quality Chasm: A New Health System For The 21st Century’, National Academies Press (2001)
– World Health Organization., ‘Framework On Integrated People-Centred Health Services’, WHO (2016)