What Insights did I Find Helpful or Interesting?
Throughout the article, I found the concept of the microsystem useful to my understanding of how to provide health care in a complex environment characterized by multiple forces, including, but not limited to, culture, technology, and people (DeNisco & Barker, 2015). Particularly, the article’s findings explain how to navigate through these forces and influences in health practice.
In what ways did the Reading Improve my Understanding of a Functioning Health Care System?
This reading enhanced my understanding of the main tenets of a functioning microsystems because it outlined the key characteristics of such a system. For example, the authors said the key driving forces of a functioning microsystem are leadership, organizational support, staff focus, education, training, interdependence, patient focus, community focus, market focus, performance results, process improvement, and information technology (DeNisco & Barker, 2015). Based on my academic work, I find that these tenets outline the pertinent aspects of a functioning health care system. However, I find it interesting that the authors did not mention patient quality as a key driving force of the health care microsystem. I believe it should be the focus of the microsystem.
What Points do I Agree or Disagree with?
I agree with the researchers that a well-functioning microsystem would enhance patient safety, which should be a top priority for health providers. In the article, the authors say that although patient safety should be a priority for the organization, different health care service providers should formulate innovative strategies to improve patient safety (DeNisco & Barker, 2015). I disagree with this view because I believe patient safety is universal because regardless of the area of practice, all patients have the same safety needs. Therefore, the concept is not only paramount but also standard throughout all areas of practice. Consequently, I believe health care service providers should subscribe to universal practices of patient safety, as opposed to formulating their own.
What Points did I Find Confusing?
In the article, the authors argued that a functioning microsystem has both business and clinical goals (DeNisco & Barker, 2015). I find this point confusing because both goals often clash. In other words, the pursuant of clinical goals may not necessarily align with the pursuance of business goals. Indeed, the provision of health care services is mostly a calling for most health care professionals and is driven by the quest to improve human welfare.
However, business goals promote a profit-making focus, which has mostly seen health care providers overlook the goal of improving patient safety and human welfare for the selfish goal of making a profit. Although there have been attempts to bridge this divide, I find it confusing that the authors argue that a functioning microsystem would sufficiently accommodate both business and clinical goals.
Reference
DeNisco, S., & Barker, A. (2015). Advanced practice nursing (3rd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.