Communication Strategy for the Health Care Leader
M3D1: Communicating with Your Staff
Communication is about more than just talking with patients. As a manager, you will also have a responsibility to communicate effectively with staff assigned to you.
Consider the following scenario: You are a manager in a large pediatric care practice. There has been a recent pertussis outbreak in your community, and ten patients so far have developed pertussis. A representative from your local public health department has asked your organization to reach out to the families in your practice to increase pertussis vaccinations and educate parents on pertussis. A review of your practice’s medical records and patient satisfaction surveys reveals that 21% of your patients have expressed concerns or hesitance about vaccinations. Your task is to work with your staff on what messages will be most effective to increase the vaccination rates and how to effectively communicate with patients’ families.
Based on this scenario, respond to the following:
1. In your opinion, what concerns might your staff have about being the messenger in this situation?
2. You sense that some staff are apprehensive or resistant to delivering messages about vaccine acceptance. How will you get staff to express their concerns and participate in the communication initiative?
3. You know that one of the nurses in your practice has a son with autism and blames his condition on childhood vaccinations. As a manager, how will you address this?
4. How might you suggest your staff individually tailor their messages to different family experiences, for example, culture, religion, and socioeconomic status?