Creating a Learning Organization in a Health Care Setting, Essay Example

Creating a workplace enhanced by a learning environment is important to implementing and fostering quality health care services. Improved staffing levels are also a part of life-long learning in an organization. Crafting an organizational culture with staff participation in personal and professional development centers on trust between employees and management. Change tailored to the needs of the organization is structured on trust and empowerment for staff and management through the leadership team.

Developing an organizational learning environment requires a review of current policies and trends. Change in procedures typically creates havoc for staff who may perceive this as negative change. To effectively create a learning organization the financial resources should be considered and budgeted for the various levels of learning for specific staffing levels. A thriving learning environment requires the finanical investment in staff.  Plans to be able to arrange staffing needs around training will be implemented. Specific courses to the job duties of employees will need to be researched for the most appropriate choices.

A learning organization provides experience and knowledge for staff and management to be able to work effectively and efficiently. This affords high quality care with patient preferences and social resources. Staff fostering the culture of a learning environment will be well versed in community resources to include psychological and clinical options for the needs of specific patients. Problem solving skills are an ongoing proficiency which requires continual education.  An organization prizing a learning environment will be able to better seek and solve complex patient issues as well as financial and budgetary matters.

The process of creating a learning organization begins with leadership. The predominate factors in any type of organizational change centers on the existing organizational culture and the leadership. Organizational improvement must consider cultural and behavioral barriers which may occur from staff change anxiety. Leadership sets the example and senior managers should also be involved in developing an organizational culture which values a learning environment throughout all staffing.

Communication is also imperative in creating a learning environment. Leaders who develop and implement change without effective communication to the staff are setting up a process for failure.  Communication and example set the juncture for staff to understand the value of a learning organization. Organizations can no longer remain under status quo and must embrace change. Leaders are the foundation for demonstrating, communicating and enriching the learning environment. The successful leaders will be able to manage the emotions of  the organizational climate during the change process and handle the crucial events. Transformational leaders keep the staff informed and empowered.

Creating an organization in the heath care setting embracing a learning environment is fostering a company that will excel in the health care industry.  Providing quality patient care will be improved by the continuing education of the physicians, nurses, staff and management.  The organizational culture and climate will follow the successful leaders producing quality management and compassionate, caring and educated staff.