While combining ethical principles of religion and healthcare may feel like a challenge, they do share similarities. For instance, some found in the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics include:5
- Respect for human dignity
- Accountability and responsibility
- Preservation of integrity
- Integration of social justice
Many healthcare professionals embrace religious values. It’s essential to bring your values to the workplace in a way that respects others’ cultural beliefs in healthcare, as well. The following strategies can guide you.
Leadership and Communication Skills
Healthcare administrators fill important leadership roles. The people you lead will look to you to model ethical standards. Wisely applying the values of your Christian faith, such as your acceptance of others, your patience when handling ethical dilemmas, even to the point of properly forgiving another, can influence your interactions with your team. Effective leaders are those who can work toward healthy and effective conflict resolution, practicing humble servanthood as they make difficult decisions guided by the wisdom of God’s Word.
Onsite Patient Resources
Faith is often a significant component in the lives of many patients, but not all of them have access to faith-based resources while they are hospitalized. You could consider acquiring or developing these resources with the aid of community clergy. You could advocate faith-based services or even counseling groups that can assist patients and families through difficult times, especially as some patients approach the end of life. Consulting a staff social worker, if one is available, can also be beneficial.
Patient Advocacy
Thinking beyond spiritual resources, consider ways of making a positive difference in the day-to-day lives of patients and their families. Oftentimes, healthcare organizations have a team of patient advocates, sometimes called patient navigators or care coordinators.
If you work for a healthcare organization that does not have patient advocates, you can work to establish them. Through a patient advocacy program, patients and their families can sort through confusing medical terminology, understand their healthcare decisions better and make use of patient support tools.
Ethical Policy Changes
Healthcare administrators work in many different public and private organizations. In addition to working in hospitals, healthcare administrators may work in:6
- Outpatient clinics
- Medical departments
- Insurance agencies
- Private practices
- Nursing homes
- Government agencies
In all these settings, including private hospitals, one of the key responsibilities of healthcare administrators is to effect change in policies. You will have the opportunity to shape policy according to your compassionate values, by advocating efforts for future trends and changes to ensure optimum healthcare for all.
As you manage the operations of your organization, you can also look for ways to improve the delivery of care, allowing all patients to receive what they need, while still maintaining their dignity and respect.
