Learning Goal: I'm working on a business discussion
question and need an explanation and answer to help me
learn.
What makes the power structure in hospitals (in
relationship to physicians) so complex?
BUSI428 Discussion
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BUSI428 Discussion
The power structure in hospitals is complex due to the many different roles and
responsibilities. Physicians are the most critical players in the hospital power structure, as they
are responsible for patient care, medical decision-making and much of the hospital's financial
livelihood. This power structure can be further complicated due to the various types of
physicians, including specialists, primary care physicians, and surgeons (O'Shea et al., 2019).
Each of these roles has different levels of authority and influence within the hospital. Hospitals
also have several other players involved in their power structure. These include nurses,
administrators, and other health care professionals, such as physical therapists and pharmacists.
Each of these players has their level of authority within the hospital and can influence decision-
making. Additionally, the hospital board of directors and executive leadership team are at the top
of the power structure. These individuals have the final say in many decisions, and their
authority and influence can be significant.
All of these players in the power structure can lead to a complex situation. For example,
nurses may be responsible for providing patient care, but physicians have an ultimate say in the
medical decisions that must be made. This can lead to conflicts between the two groups and
make it difficult for the hospital to operate effectively (Ocloo et al., 2020). Additionally, a
hospital's executive leadership team may have different goals than the physicians on staff, which
can lead to disagreements and tension. The complexity of the power structure in hospitals is
further complicated by the various external forces that can influence decision-making. These
include insurance companies, government regulations, and other outside stakeholders. All of
these forces can impact how a hospital operates and complicate the power structure even further.
Overall, the power structure in hospitals is very complex due to the many different players
involved and the various external forces that can affect operations. Physicians are the most
critical players in this structure, but many other roles and responsibilities can complicate
decision-making. Understanding these factors can help hospitals operate more effectively and
efficiently. In Philippians 4:13, the bible says, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens
me.” Through God's guidance and strength, hospitals can use the power structure to provide the
best possible care to their patients (ESV, 2001).
References
English Standard Version Bible. (2001). ESV Online. https://esv.literalword.com/
Ocloo, J., Goodrich, J., Tanaka, H., Birchall-Searle, J., Dawson, D., & Farr, M. (2020). The
importance of power, context and agency in improving patient experience through a
patient and family centred care approach. Health Research Policy and Systems, 18(1).
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-019-0487-1
O'Shea, A., Boaz, A. L., & Chambers, M. (2019). A hierarchy of power: The place of patient and
public involvement in Healthcare Service Development. Frontiers in Sociology, 4.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2019.00038
