It is challenging to work in the healthcare environment. The complexity in working in this environment can become overwhelming especially when conflicting roles and ambiguity arise. Role conflict and ambiguity are studied broadly in organisational sciences. Role conflict occurs when the expectation, as well as the requirements of the role, become incompatible. In this case, compatibility is judged based on some conditions that are set that impact role performance (Kahn, Wolfe, Quinn, Snoek, Rosenthal, 1964). Role conflict is more intense where the tasks are undertaken abstract thinking as well as involves decision making. In an organisation, role ambiguity occurs when an employee has not been provided with ample information that he needs to execute his/her role in a manner that is competent (Palomino and Frezatti, 2016). Thus, it is very significant to study role conflict and ambiguity as its multifaceted impacts shape professional relationships as well as influences job satisfaction (Patiaki, 2016). This paper delves at outlining the significance of role conflict and ambiguity. It also discusses role conflict and ambiguity best practices as well as its impact on leadership as well as health organisations.
Importance of Role Conflict and Ambiguity
Primary healthcare delivery relies significantly on the individual contributions. This includes contributions from nurses, dieticians, physicians, occupational therapist, physical therapist, social workers, etc. The involvement of this numerous disciplines can result in conflict and ambiguity. This can cause innumerable problems as conflict and ambiguity tend to impend team functioning, decrease the effectiveness of the team as well as that of the individual, and also affects patient care. Thus, conflict and ambiguity ought to be resolved to ensure the patient care administered is effective, efficient and safe. Typically, team conflict is rise from; role accountability, the scope of practice issues, the boundary of role issues (Higazee, 2015).
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Role Conflict and Ambiguity Best Practices
Role conflict and ambiguity can be minimised by ensuring that leaders and their subordinates communicate. By identifying stressors as well as concerns, leaders can make changes to mitigate conflict and ambiguity. Strategic ways ought to be formulated to realise positive changes. Leaders also have to assume and correct faults within themselves.
Negative Impacts of Role Conflict and Ambiguity on Healthcare Organization
Employees are more prone to providing unsafe patient care, making errors, burnout, as well as dissatisfaction when they are not clear of their tasks and roles. Workers resort to trial and error if the organisation does not give role structure and also defined duties (Patiaki, 2016). As a result, employees become less productive, and this reduces the standard care as well the bottom line of the organisation. Studies have proven that there is a correlation between the increased level or role conflict and ambiguity and staff inefficiency (Patiaki, 2016).
Conclusion
Eradicating role conflict in any organisation is tough. Conflict in any organisation has a negative impact though there are some studies which have proven that conflict can reap benefits. Thus, it is very significant to recognise and understand the complexities of the disagreement as well as its impact on the environment. This is a positive step in solving the case. By managing role conflict and ambiguity, patient care can be improved. This also brings a positive work environment which yields increased revenue efforts.
References
Higazee, M. (2015). Types and Levels of Conflict Experienced by Nurses in the Hospital Settings. [Online]. Available at: http://www.hsj.gr/medicine/types-and-levels-of-conflicts-experienced-by-nurses-in-the-hospital-settings.php?aid=7838 . Accessed 5 th Oct 2018.
Kahn RL, Wolfe DM, Quinn RP, Snoek JD, Rosenthal RA (1964). Organisational Stress: Studies in Role Conflict and Ambiguity. New York: Wiley.
Palomino, M, and Frezatti, F. (2016). Role Conflict, Role Ambiguity and Job Satisfaction: Perceptions of the Brazilian Controllers. [Online]. Available at: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0080-21072016000200165 . Accessed 5 th Oct 2018.
Patiaki, E. (2016). Role Conflict and Ambiguity among Physician and Nurses in the Public Health Care Sector in Crete. [Online]. Available at: http://www.mednet.gr/archives/2017-5/pdf/648.pdf . Accessed 5 th Oct 2018.
