Any service entity must observe professionalism to thrive. Practices like conscientiousness, respect, appropriateness, and integrity portray professionalism. For healthcare institutions, embracing such practices is a safety practice in addition to providing excellence in customer service.
Research reveals instances of unprofessionalism widespread in health centers, for example, include disrespect, confidentiality breaches, dishonesty in disclosure of adverse events, etc. Some of the malpractices are unintentional hence the need for healthcare institutions to be on high alert to diminish occurrence.
Exposure of the anomalies compromises the institution and can lead to hefty fines or even closure by the authorities. As a clinic owner, you can avoid the pitfalls of unprofessionalism by embracing the following practices.
Operations and Business Practices
Healthcare is an essential service in society, and organizations in the sector must deliver cost-effective services ethically and ensure that patient information is accurate and confidential. Failure to adhere to such standards deteriorates the service quality, rendering the institution unsustainable.
Enforcing professional practice in operations must be a purposive effort that your clinic defines, implements, and monitors. With time, the exercise becomes an institutional culture that promotes improved operational and business practices. For example, standardizing record-keeping enhances accuracy and ease of information retrieval.
Medical coding or classification organizations ensure the ease of operational processes like billing, procurement, invoicing, etc. The processes become efficient, reducing the likelihood of blunders associated with the wrong medication, patient record retrieval, and other anomalies. The clinic can keep patients safe and also enhance transparency in procurement.
Patient Partnerships
In some hospitals, the health professionals hog the patient care aspect by dictating to them (patients) their treatment protocol, aftercare, and other issues related to their well-being and recovery. The professionals are entitled to their expert opinion. However, you should involve the patients and their loved ones in particular aspects of their care for better outcomes.
Patient partnerships call for shared decision-making by treating the patient as a person, not just someone afflicted by some disease. The partnership approach will ensure better patient cooperation and a better understanding of what method may or may not work in the recovery journey. Sometimes a particular treatment protocol doesn’t work because the patient does not follow the guidelines.
Engagement and collaboration enforce the criticality of the treatment to the patients, and they appreciate the need to adhere to them. As a medic, you develop alternative methods of enabling patients to follow through with their treatment depending on their circumstances. Collaborating with the patients has win-win outcomes for both parties.
Organizational Culture
Organizational culture can make or break a health institution. An institution with no transparent structures and consequences for unethical practices among staff nurtures an unhealthy culture that leads to its downfall. However, an entity that fosters a culture of accountability by developing trust and empowerment among health workers thrives.
Cultivate a healthy culture in your clinic to avoid the short end of the stick of liberal practices. The culture should be visible and felt by patients and their loved ones when they visit your clinic. Enforce a healthy culture in your clinic by implementing specific initiatives. Actions like instilling a sense of purpose among staff, having clear accountability structures, communicating regularly, creating reward mechanisms, etc., reinforce a positive culture.
Make your clinic an environment that inspires trust for both internal and external people. Such a setting creates a loyal base of patients who feel compelled to make repeat visits. Some health conditions, especially chronic diseases, are typically draining on the person’s emotional state, and they want to feel safe when visiting their healthcare provider.
Community Partnerships
Forging partnerships with the community creates a positive public image, inspiring trust. If the public feels that your clinic cares about critical issues, they become loyal to your brand. Select causes associated with the healthcare sector for relevance and advocate/support them. For example, you can shape healthcare policies affecting the community.
If you are in a community affected by particular chronic illnesses, assist by advocating for bills that provide subsidized patient care. You can also participate in medical outreach and research ventures seeking solutions for the predicament of people suffering from long-term illnesses.
Healthcare of U.S. citizens has improved significantly in the past decade through advances in medicare. However, affordable healthcare remains a thorny issue in many states. Advocating for such a cause will earn you accolades in the community and foster strategic partnerships for your clinic. Pick an aspect you have the capacity and resources to advocate for and earn respect from society.
Embrace Healthcare Professionalism in Your Clinic
Professionalism in your clinic is critical for success in the healthcare sector. You will not have to worry about patient safety because there will be improved patient care, communication, and a safe clinic environment. Health malpractices are avoidable by observing integrity, accountability, empathy, and service excellence when running a clinic. Such attributes are as essential as the skill competence of healthcare providers.
