Turning attention to clinician engagement in Victoria
Christine Jorm A C , Robyn Hudson B and Euan WallaceA The University of Sydney, Room 215, A27 Edward Ford Building, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
B Safer Care Victoria, 50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Vic. 3000, Australia. Email: robyn.hudson@dhhs.vic.gov.au; euan.wallace@dhhs.vic.gov.au
C Corresponding author. Email: christine.jorm@sydney.edu.au
Australian Health Review 43(2) 123-125 https://doi.org/10.1071/AH17100
Submitted: 11 April 2017 Accepted: 28 September 2017 Published: 16 November 2017
Journal Compilation © AHHA 2019 Open Access CC BY-NC-ND
Abstract
The engagement of clinicians with employing organisations and with the broader health system results in better safer care for patients. Concerns about the adequacy of clinician engagement in the state of Victoria led the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services to commission a scoping study. During this investigation more than 100 clinicians were spoken with and 1800 responded to surveys. The result was creation of a clear picture of what engagement and disengagement looked like at all levels – from the clinical microsystem to state health policy making. Multiple interventions are possible to enhance clinician engagement and thus the care of future patients. A framework was developed to guide future Victorian work with four elements: setting the agenda, informing, involving and empowering clinicians. Concepts of work or employee engagement that are used in other industries don’t directly translate to healthcare and thus the definition of engagement chosen for use centred on involvement. This was designed to encourage system managers to ensure clinicians are full participants in design, planning and evaluation and in all decisions that affect them and their patients.
Additional keywords: leadership, organisational culture, quality, safety.
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