By Robin Gallardi, DDS, MS, FRCDC, Dip ABOMS
In the last decade, leadership styles have switched from a top-down approach to one of individual empowerment. We are all familiar with empowerment as it applies to self-help and self-development. Today, however, empowerment is more about creating an environment where leaders, staff, employees, and in our case, patients feel engaged. Engagement leads to feeling valued and this in turn leads to a motivational mindset. Healthcare empowerment is unique in that the desired outcome are patients who are informed, educated, and actively participating in their own healthcare decisions.
As healthcare leaders we are in a unique position in which we can empower our staff and in turn our own patients. Before a leader can empower their team and patients, they must first feel empowered themselves. Changes to the current climate of healthcare and advancement of corporate structures have created an environment where many healthcare leaders no longer feel motivated or empowered. There has been a recent decline in feelings of appreciation, support, and motivation, with many healthcare workers feeling a lack of control in their work environment. Remaining empowered during our career is the only way to ensure long-term success. As a specialty, we must first reflect on those elements that motivated us from the beginning. Incorporating those motivators and committing to self-development is key. To be self-motivated, people require the feeling of competence, the ability to make choices, a supportive community, and a feeling of purpose. Having a purpose instills confidence and allows us to make choices more efficiently. A sense of purpose improves performance and organizations with a clear purpose view challenges as less daunting and outperform their competitors on all levels. Mentorship is also one of the key ingredients to empowerment. Having a mentor provides resources, creates collaboration, and leads to a supportive atmosphere under which a leader can grow and develop. It is known that empowered purposeful leaders are happier, healthier, and more successful. But perhaps more importantly; empowered leaders empower others.
Empowerment itself is a process. A process where people, organizations, and communities influence their environment in a positive way. Empowerment is people uniting with their individual strengths to accomplish one common goal. We all know that keeping our team and patients engaged and empowered is a challenge. Changes in modern lifestyles and individual mindsets have led to a decrease in ownership mentality across all aspects of healthcare. Finding unique and creative ways to empower our employees and patients has become critical. Why is this so important?
Research has shown that empowering our patients leads to increased compliance, fewer post-operative complications, and ultimately, improved surgical outcomes. As a result, empowerment has now become an essential element of quality patient care. As healthcare leaders, we have a distinct opportunity to empower our team and, in turn, our own patients. Building on the strengths and competency of our own team members allows employees to become truly connected to the organization, unlocking their true talents. Empowered employees are engaged and are more likely to make meaningful contributions to patient care. As active participants in the decision-making process, employees can create an atmosphere where the team can excel, ultimately leading to organizational progress and success. Having an empowered team naturally increases the chances for the development of empowered patients. We should all desire an end goal of self-efficacy, with regard to our patients and all health matters. We must always remember that the simple act of fostering a work environment of collaboration and shared accountability will ultimately lead to better patient care.
Personally, the thought that my actions can empower others is a motivation in and of itself. I value the idea that self-care and development can in the end lead to the betterment of healthcare for all. In the end, it all starts with us.