Introduction
Although cases of employee illnesses are a common problem in business practice, such issues in the healthcare sector may have severe consequences for all stakeholders. It is seen in Sarah’s example, when her case of tuberculosis and the subsequent declassification without her consent led to her isolation in the workplace and possible infection of another home health assistant. The assistant manager is obliged to inform the Home Health Care Agency’s employees and clients about precautions while maintaining Sarah’s privacy to prevent a possible outbreak and spread of the infection.
Researchers note that “health information is the data related to a person’s medical history, including symptoms, diagnoses, procedures, and outcomes.” (“What Is Health Information?” n.d., para. 1). The most appropriate methodology for providing information in such conditions would be a theoretical and practical educational training course on pulmonary diseases, focusing on the types of tuberculosis. This paper will examine the three steps of the training course for each group of stakeholders and discuss the possible implications of this problem.
Talk, Demonstration, Role Playing, and Reinforcing
The educational course includes a theoretical part, talk or lecturing, and a practical part, which involves a demonstration and role-playing. According to Chaghari, Saffari, Ebadi, and Ameryoun (2017), “training programs are essential for the survival and viability of the organization in the competition arena” (p. 26). The HR Department Assistant Manager may appoint as a trainer one of the experienced employees of the organization or hire a freelance specialist.
The first step, or lecturing, should include the causes and conditions for the occurrence of pulmonary diseases with the emphasis on tuberculosis, as well as the results and consequences of treatment. Researchers note that “this is an effective way to help the group work together to solve a problem” (“B. Choose appropriate training methods,” 2019,para. 10). This category should also include debunking myths and prejudices about people who have had pulmonary diseases to stop the isolation of Sara by other coworkers.
The lecture should be supported by a demonstration of scientific data and statistics, as well as video materials with people who had overcome tuberculosis, and their spouses, relatives, and friends. Researchers have proven that learning and understanding are faster and more productive when multiple senses are involved (“B. Choose appropriate training methods,” 2019). In the role-playing process, employees should apply and remember the knowledge gained about practical methods of primary identification of pulmonary diseases, ways to prevent infection, and the rules of interaction with current and former patients.
Also, everyone can undergo reinforcing learning for a better understanding of the knowledge gained. In parallel with this process, it is also necessary to inform the management of the Home Health Care Agency and its clients. These procedures may be limited within the framework of theoretical training and should be held through such communication methods as face-to-face and email (Liebler & McConnell, 2020). Emails should include both original materials and links to peer-reviewed and popular sources.
Possible Implications for Different Stakeholders
Ignoring the need to solve the problem may lead to a number of serious negative consequences. It is worth noting that social isolation in the workplace that Sarah has experienced worsens physical and mental health (Tanskanen & Anttila, 2016).
Such a situation also leads to less productivity and, therefore, weakening financial independence. Management may suffer financial losses because multiple cases of employees’ infection reduce the number of work staff, which limits the range of services provided and, therefore, profits. The situation with tuberculosis contagion is the most dangerous for clients, because they may also get sick. Such an incident will cause further rejection of medical services and distrust of home health care organizations. This may even lead to premature deaths due to the absence of a specialist in the vicinity. Such cases have a negative effect on the entire organization in the form of reputation losses.
Conclusion
This paper considers possible ways of informing various groups of stakeholders within the framework of Sarah’s privacy. Several steps have been proposed for this problem from the HR Department Assistant Manager perspective. All these steps are combined into an educational training program. The first point is a lecture focusing on pulmonary diseases, especially tuberculosis subtypes. The informative speech is aimed at studying the causes and methods of infection, as well as the consequences of the disease and treatment. All this is supported by various visual materials, after which the coworkers participate in practices for the correct protection and interaction.
The purpose of this training is not only to reduce the risk of the disease, but also to destroy the social isolation in which Sarah found herself after recovery. Possible negative consequences of such a problem were also put forward from the prospect of it being further ignored. One of the most important implications is the general deterioration of Sarah’s well-being. Agency’s clients also risk not only getting a pulmonary infection but also being even in a worse situation due to the absence of a medical professional.
References
B. Choose appropriate training methods. (2019). Web.
Chaghari, M., Saffari, M., Ebadi, A., & Ameryoun, A. (2017). Empowering education: A new model for in-service training of nursing staff. Journal of Advances in Medical Education & Professionalism, 5(1), 26-32.
Liebler, J. G., & McConnell, C. R. (2020). Management principles for health professionals. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Tanskanen, J., & Anttila, T. (2016). A prospective study of social isolation, loneliness, and mortality in Finland. American journal of public health, 106(11), 2042-2048.
What is health information? (n.d.). Web.