For this discussion, explain how you, as a health care and public health leader, would develop and evaluate ethical practice strategies for promoting patient safety and managing issues generated by health disparities. In addition, identify and describe skills needed to guide, mentor, and support others in their efforts to achieve excellence in practice. Be sure to include at least one APA-formatted citation (in-text plus full reference). The citation may be from your course text, assigned readings, or an outside source.

In the field of healthcare and public health, the development and evaluation of ethical practice strategies play a crucial role in promoting patient safety and managing issues related to health disparities. As a leader in this field, it is important to consider various aspects such as ethical principles, cultural competence, and evidence-based practices to ensure excellence in practice. This discussion will explore how a healthcare leader can develop and evaluate ethical practice strategies, and also identify and describe the necessary skills needed to guide, mentor, and support others in their efforts to achieve excellence in practice.

To begin, the development of ethical practice strategies requires a comprehensive understanding of ethical principles in healthcare. Ethical principles such as autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice guide decision-making and actions in healthcare settings (Beauchamp & Childress, 2019). As a leader, it is important to establish a culture of ethical practice within the organization by ensuring that these principles are integrated into policies, processes, and daily practice. This can be achieved through the development of a code of ethics that outlines expectations for healthcare professionals, as well as ongoing education and training on ethical decision-making.

In addition to ethical principles, addressing health disparities requires a focus on cultural competence. Cultural competence refers to the ability to effectively interact with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and to provide care that is respectful of their beliefs, values, and practices. Healthcare leaders should invest in cultural competence training for staff and provide resources and support to ensure that the needs of diverse patient populations are met. This may involve developing strategies for language access, engaging community partners, and incorporating cultural considerations into policies and procedures.

Furthermore, evidence-based practices (EBPs) play a crucial role in promoting patient safety and managing health disparities. Healthcare leaders should promote the use of EBPs by creating a culture of continuous quality improvement and providing resources and support for staff to implement and evaluate these practices. This can be done through the establishment of clinical practice guidelines, the implementation of quality improvement initiatives, and the use of data and research to inform decision-making. Additionally, the leader should foster a culture of shared learning and collaboration, where staff are encouraged to stay up-to-date with the latest evidence and contribute to the development and evaluation of EBPs.

To evaluate the effectiveness of ethical practice strategies, healthcare leaders should implement a systematic approach that includes regular monitoring and evaluation. This may involve the use of indicators and benchmarks to assess the quality of care and patient outcomes, as well as the collection and analysis of data to identify areas for improvement. Additionally, leaders should seek feedback from patients, families, and staff to understand their perspectives and experiences, and use this information to inform changes and enhancements to ethical practice strategies. By regularly evaluating and adapting these strategies, leaders can ensure ongoing improvement and responsiveness to the needs of the population served.

In order to guide, mentor, and support others in their efforts to achieve excellence in practice, healthcare leaders require a set of essential skills. One key skill is effective communication, which involves the ability to articulate expectations, provide constructive feedback, and foster open dialogue. By cultivating effective communication skills, leaders can create a supportive and collaborative environment that promotes learning and growth. Additionally, leaders should possess strong interpersonal skills to build trust and rapport with staff, as well as the ability to motivate and inspire others towards a shared vision of excellence.

Another critical skill is that of emotional intelligence, which involves self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social skills (Goleman, 1995). Emotional intelligence enables leaders to understand and manage their own emotions, as well as empathize with others, which is particularly valuable when supporting staff in their efforts to achieve excellence. By demonstrating empathy and understanding, leaders can create a safe and supportive environment that encourages staff to take risks, learn from mistakes, and continuously improve their practice.

In conclusion, as a healthcare and public health leader, developing and evaluating ethical practice strategies is essential for promoting patient safety and addressing health disparities. This involves a comprehensive understanding of ethical principles, cultural competence, and evidence-based practices. In addition, leaders need to possess a range of skills such as effective communication, interpersonal skills, and emotional intelligence to guide, mentor, and support others in their pursuit of excellence. By combining these strategies and skills, healthcare leaders can contribute to the provision of high-quality and equitable care to diverse populations.

Reference:

Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of biomedical ethics. Oxford University Press.

Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional intelligence. Bantam Books.