The Power of Engagement: Creating the Culture That Gets Your Staff Aligned and Invested

Abstract

The Canadian government officially recognizes the value of staff engagement in providing better healthcare. Evidence demonstrates that engagement is connected to improved financial outcomes as well as better patient safety and clinical outcomes. There is a need for health leaders to create organizational cultures that simultaneously result in higher rates of employee and physician engagement, better clinical care, and lower costs. This article highlights the research and experience gained on the benefits of engagement, explores Studer Group's approach to improving both engagement and quality, and shares the results achieved by the firm's Canadian partners. In addition, it describes some of the "building blocks" that, together, create the necessary cultures of engagement inside organizations.

<p>Physician engagement: a concept analysis</p>

“…Specifically, two-way communication between physicians and administration,24,58 as well as amongst physicians 45. Part of communication includes transparency101 and feedback 2,82. Feedback should be non judgmental and objective 102.…”

“…Good working relations are required between physicians and administrations, with the alignment of goals24,52,116,117 values,4,30,82,117,118 and beliefs 119. There needs to be trust3,10,30,98,119 and respect, whereby opinions, ideas, and beliefs are valued,4,81,83 taken into account21 and physicians feel supported 71,120.…”

“…First, the improvement of data quality 136. Second health system efficiency21,63,141 that leads to cost reduction,1,3,57,78,82,91,106,109,129,135,141,142 and improved service provision 28. Third is innovation23 and fourth is job satisfaction.…”

Leadership development and primary care

“…Rotating, combined with a lack of team structures, reduce the ability for Junior Doctors to participate in frequent goal measurement, feedback, and reward and recognition. 16 Junior Doctors, however, still benefit from feeling part of teams. Often short but significant experiences, such as being part of a cardiac arrest team, can bond people together.…”

Physician engagement: the Vancouver Medical Staff Association engagement charter

“…8 In the Canadian context, a hospital that enhanced physician satisfaction found a dramatic improvement in clinical quality metrics. 9 There are a number of factors responsible for physician disengagement from the organisation. Some of the major factors are as follows.…”