Imagine that you have been appointed the director of health at the Kaluyu Memorial Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya—a for-profit hospital. The facility is also a referral hospital and receives severe cases of accidents and chronic and communicable diseases, and it houses an HIV/AIDS ward. As you settle into your position, you realize that the employees always act scared as they approach their superiors. Some of the employees deliver files and leave your office in a hurry.
As you make your routine departmental visits, you observe tension among the nurses and doctors, and there is a sentiment that the nurses tend to do the majority of the work within patient care, but the doctors get all the credit. You notice that the employees are always looking forward to the end of their shifts when they can go home. You notice that some of the doctors come back to work wearing the same unwashed clothes as the previous day. Too many employees are calling in sick, and many of them give weak reasons for their tardiness.
There is also a sense that doctors and nurses dominate other employees in similar positions. In meetings and conference calls, some employees are quiet and never participate. You notice that people with families tend to gather and talk quietly on breaks. The new mothers working for the hospital have to use bathrooms to pump breast milk for their infants, and the refrigerators do not work well. Looking at the financial statements of the hospital, you realize that the hospital's expenses are higher than the industry standard, and it incurs losses year after year.
Note: You may create or make all necessary assumptions needed for the completion of this assignment.
Requirements
Write a 4-6 page paper in which you:
• Assess the major demotivational factors at Kaluyu Memorial Hospital. Evaluate the level of impact that the identified factors could have on specific areas of service and business if the administration does not address the situation. Support your response with at least two examples of the potential negative impact of the identified demotivational factors on the hospital.
• Read the overviews of the three major motivational theories (Maslow's hierarchy of needs, Herzberg's two-factor theory, and McClelland's acquired needs theory). Choose the theory that you think best fits this scenario and defend that choice with two examples.
• Outline a communication system that will have the greatest impact on improving employee motivation and specify the major reasons why your system will positively impact employee behaviors.
• Use at least four quality sources to support your writing. Choose sources that are credible, relevant, and appropriate. Cite each source listed on your source page at least one time within your assignment.
Director of health at the Kaluyu Memorial Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya
Full Answer Section
- Tension between nurses and doctors: There is a sense that nurses do the majority of the work within patient care, but doctors get all the credit. This tension can lead to conflict between employees, which can negatively impact patient care.
- A lack of motivation: Employees are always looking forward to the end of their shifts when they can go home. This lack of motivation can lead to a decrease in productivity, an increase in errors, and a general decline in the quality of care provided by the hospital.
- Poor communication: Some employees are quiet and never participate in meetings or conference calls. This lack of communication can lead to misunderstandings, missed opportunities, and a general feeling of isolation among employees.
- A lack of respect: There is a sense that doctors and nurses dominate other employees in similar positions. This lack of respect can lead to a decrease in morale, an increase in conflict, and a general decline in the quality of care provided by the hospital.
- Poor working conditions: New mothers working at the hospital have to use bathrooms to pump breast milk for their infants, and the refrigerators do not work well. These poor working conditions can lead to stress, fatigue, and a decrease in productivity among employees.
- A fear of authority: could lead to a lack of communication between employees and their superiors, which could lead to misunderstandings, missed opportunities, and a decrease in the quality of care provided by the hospital.
- Tension between nurses and doctors: could lead to conflict between employees, which could negatively impact patient care.
- A lack of motivation: could lead to a decrease in productivity, an increase in errors, and a general decline in the quality of care provided by the hospital.
- Poor communication: could lead to misunderstandings, missed opportunities, and a general feeling of isolation among employees.
- A lack of respect: could lead to a decrease in morale, an increase in conflict, and a general decline in the quality of care provided by the hospital.
- Poor working conditions: could lead to stress, fatigue, and a decrease in productivity among employees.
- Create a culture of open communication: Encourage employees to communicate with their superiors and with each other. This can be done by holding regular meetings, creating a suggestion box, and making it easy for employees to contact their superiors.
- Resolve conflict between employees: When conflict arises between employees, it is important to resolve it quickly and fairly. This can be done by mediation, arbitration, or other methods.
- Motivate employees: Provide employees with opportunities for professional development, recognition, and rewards. This can help to improve morale and productivity.
- Improve communication: Improve communication between employees and their superiors, and between employees in different departments. This can be done by creating a communication policy, providing training on communication skills, and using technology to improve communication.
- Respect employees: Treat all employees with respect, regardless of their position or title. This can help to improve morale and productivity.
- Improve working conditions: Improve working conditions for employees, such as providing adequate space, equipment, and supplies. This can help to reduce stress and improve productivity.
Sample Answer
Demotivational Factors at Kaluyu Memorial Hospital As the newly appointed director of health at Kaluyu Memorial Hospital, you have identified a number of demotivational factors that are affecting the morale and productivity of the hospital's employees. These factors include:- A fear of authority: Employees are afraid to approach their superiors, and they often deliver files and leave your office in a hurry. This fear of authority can lead to a number of problems, including a lack of communication, a reluctance to take risks, and a general feeling of dissatisfaction among employees.