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Hospitalists routinely confront clinical, administrative, and ethical issues. Sometimes they face less-identifiable issues, such as office politics. Webster’s Dictionary defines office politics as “factional scheming for power and status within a group.” Wikipedia describes office politics as “the use of one’s individual or assigned power within an employing organization for the purpose of obtaining advantages beyond one’s legitimate authority.”
How much does office politics affect hospital medicine?
“Of course there is office politics in any work environment,” says Heather A. Harris, MD, former director of Eden Inpatient Services in Castro Valley, Calif., and currently splitting time as a hospitalist at the University of California San Francisco and the Palo Alto Medical Foundation. Dr. Harris, however, believes office politics is rare within hospital medicine because, “It is a young field and a growing field; everyone is growing together, so things tend to be pretty democratic. This is especially true of newer groups.”
Then again, there are times hospitalists find themselves embroiled in office politics. When this happens, what should you do?
Take the High Ground
Although she’s encountered few cases of office politics in her career, Dr. Harris’ general advice for hospitalists is, “First, recognize it, and then try to be a good team player.” Stay above the fray and try to tread carefully around political situations, especially if you’re a manager or informal leader.
Mary Jo Gorman, MD, MBA, CEO of Advanced ICU Care in St. Louis, and former SHM president, advises hospitalists and group directors to “take the high ground, no matter how frustrated you become.” She stresses discretion: “You can talk about it to your spouse, but if you’re a leader, you can’t even [comment on someone’s behavior] in front of your group. You never know, especially if you’re in a relatively small community, when you’re going to need someone’s support. You need to stay on good terms with people.” Dr. Gorman’s advice for leaders holds true for individuals hospitalists caught up in office politics.
Power Struggles
The role hospital medicine groups play as change agents probably is the main reason office politics may develop. “Any time you’re introducing a new concept that somebody feels threatened by, you’re going to incur some defensive maneuvers,” Dr. Gorman warns. “Whether you’re introducing a new hospital medicine group, or trying to change something, like the admissions process in the emergency room, you’re going to disrupt someone’s actions. Then you’ll find a whole broad range of reactions. And the more a person feels threatened, the more aggressive they’ll become.”
Based on her experiences establishing Eden Inpatient Services in 2003, Dr. Harris knows bringing a hospital medicine group into a hospital for the first time can be “a very political situation.” You can be stepping on personal, professional, and financial toes. “When you’re part of a new hospital medicine group … you’re potentially poised to take a lot of business away from people,” Dr. Harris explains. “It’s difficult to navigate those waters and build relationships” with physicians you’re consulting with and with primary care physicians. “In a way, this even extends to nurses,” she says. “You’re suddenly going to be working with them on patient care, and changing the way they work.” Dr. Harris encourages hospitalists to be aware of touchy situations, so as not to inadvertently fuel the fire of office politics. “Especially for young physicians just starting out, there can be a lack of recognition of other people’s feelings and turfs,” she cautions.
Hospitalists faced with an office issue should combine the cautionary approach with a willingness to work with people, even those who are engaging in office politics. “When you’re implementing a change, regardless of what it is, you need to identify who will think it’s a good thing and who will not,” Dr. Gorman advises. “You need to speak with individuals in the latter group, or choose others to speak to them, to garner their support.”
Take, for example, proposing a new project for your hospital’s Quality Improvement committee. A cautionary approach and team building will go a long way. “You’ve got to get to the people on the committee ahead of time, explain what you want to do, and get their feedback and support,” Dr. Gorman says. “If you find someone who opposes it, make sure you have enough support to override them. Or, better yet, find someone who can approach them on the topic, maybe their partner or another member of their group. This is a very practical approach.”
Identify Informal Leadership
When considering this inclusive approach, don’t forget the indirect leadership. “You may have a member of the medical staff who has some informal authority or power, maybe they have the most years of experience, or bring a lot of patients to the hospital, or maybe they are a member of the same group as someone in power,” Dr. Gorman says. “These informal leaders can create a lot of disturbance.”
To avoid problems, either direct or indirect, with these types of people, identify them early and make it a point to include them in the plan. “Usually, you know who holds informal power within your organization or the hospital,” Dr. Gorman says. “All you have to do is talk to them and explain what you’re doing. No one likes to be surprised. You might have to make some changes to accommodate their concerns.”
If this tactic fails and you still face opposition, you might have to weigh how important the opposition is. “You may decide to move ahead, even if you have to make changes and the project takes more time,” she says. “For physicians working in hospitals, we’re all used to instant results. You have to understand that process change takes time and you may have to take something bit by bit, and not get immediate results or responses.”
Be tactful about other professionals’ territories and feelings. Keep communication open and avoid springing surprises on stakeholders. Most importantly, stick to the high ground. These simple steps can help you stay far from the minefield known as office politics. TH
Jane Jerrard is a medical writer based in Chicago. She also writes “Public Policy” for The Hospitalist.
Hospitalists routinely confront clinical, administrative, and ethical issues. Sometimes they face less-identifiable issues, such as office politics. Webster’s Dictionary defines office politics as “factional scheming for power and status within a group.” Wikipedia describes office politics as “the use of one’s individual or assigned power within an employing organization for the purpose of obtaining advantages beyond one’s legitimate authority.”
How much does office politics affect hospital medicine?
“Of course there is office politics in any work environment,” says Heather A. Harris, MD, former director of Eden Inpatient Services in Castro Valley, Calif., and currently splitting time as a hospitalist at the University of California San Francisco and the Palo Alto Medical Foundation. Dr. Harris, however, believes office politics is rare within hospital medicine because, “It is a young field and a growing field; everyone is growing together, so things tend to be pretty democratic. This is especially true of newer groups.”
Then again, there are times hospitalists find themselves embroiled in office politics. When this happens, what should you do?
Take the High Ground
Although she’s encountered few cases of office politics in her career, Dr. Harris’ general advice for hospitalists is, “First, recognize it, and then try to be a good team player.” Stay above the fray and try to tread carefully around political situations, especially if you’re a manager or informal leader.
Mary Jo Gorman, MD, MBA, CEO of Advanced ICU Care in St. Louis, and former SHM president, advises hospitalists and group directors to “take the high ground, no matter how frustrated you become.” She stresses discretion: “You can talk about it to your spouse, but if you’re a leader, you can’t even [comment on someone’s behavior] in front of your group. You never know, especially if you’re in a relatively small community, when you’re going to need someone’s support. You need to stay on good terms with people.” Dr. Gorman’s advice for leaders holds true for individuals hospitalists caught up in office politics.
Power Struggles
The role hospital medicine groups play as change agents probably is the main reason office politics may develop. “Any time you’re introducing a new concept that somebody feels threatened by, you’re going to incur some defensive maneuvers,” Dr. Gorman warns. “Whether you’re introducing a new hospital medicine group, or trying to change something, like the admissions process in the emergency room, you’re going to disrupt someone’s actions. Then you’ll find a whole broad range of reactions. And the more a person feels threatened, the more aggressive they’ll become.”
Based on her experiences establishing Eden Inpatient Services in 2003, Dr. Harris knows bringing a hospital medicine group into a hospital for the first time can be “a very political situation.” You can be stepping on personal, professional, and financial toes. “When you’re part of a new hospital medicine group … you’re potentially poised to take a lot of business away from people,” Dr. Harris explains. “It’s difficult to navigate those waters and build relationships” with physicians you’re consulting with and with primary care physicians. “In a way, this even extends to nurses,” she says. “You’re suddenly going to be working with them on patient care, and changing the way they work.” Dr. Harris encourages hospitalists to be aware of touchy situations, so as not to inadvertently fuel the fire of office politics. “Especially for young physicians just starting out, there can be a lack of recognition of other people’s feelings and turfs,” she cautions.
Hospitalists faced with an office issue should combine the cautionary approach with a willingness to work with people, even those who are engaging in office politics. “When you’re implementing a change, regardless of what it is, you need to identify who will think it’s a good thing and who will not,” Dr. Gorman advises. “You need to speak with individuals in the latter group, or choose others to speak to them, to garner their support.”
Take, for example, proposing a new project for your hospital’s Quality Improvement committee. A cautionary approach and team building will go a long way. “You’ve got to get to the people on the committee ahead of time, explain what you want to do, and get their feedback and support,” Dr. Gorman says. “If you find someone who opposes it, make sure you have enough support to override them. Or, better yet, find someone who can approach them on the topic, maybe their partner or another member of their group. This is a very practical approach.”
Identify Informal Leadership
When considering this inclusive approach, don’t forget the indirect leadership. “You may have a member of the medical staff who has some informal authority or power, maybe they have the most years of experience, or bring a lot of patients to the hospital, or maybe they are a member of the same group as someone in power,” Dr. Gorman says. “These informal leaders can create a lot of disturbance.”
To avoid problems, either direct or indirect, with these types of people, identify them early and make it a point to include them in the plan. “Usually, you know who holds informal power within your organization or the hospital,” Dr. Gorman says. “All you have to do is talk to them and explain what you’re doing. No one likes to be surprised. You might have to make some changes to accommodate their concerns.”
If this tactic fails and you still face opposition, you might have to weigh how important the opposition is. “You may decide to move ahead, even if you have to make changes and the project takes more time,” she says. “For physicians working in hospitals, we’re all used to instant results. You have to understand that process change takes time and you may have to take something bit by bit, and not get immediate results or responses.”
Be tactful about other professionals’ territories and feelings. Keep communication open and avoid springing surprises on stakeholders. Most importantly, stick to the high ground. These simple steps can help you stay far from the minefield known as office politics. TH
Jane Jerrard is a medical writer based in Chicago. She also writes “Public Policy” for The Hospitalist.
Hospitalists routinely confront clinical, administrative, and ethical issues. Sometimes they face less-identifiable issues, such as office politics. Webster’s Dictionary defines office politics as “factional scheming for power and status within a group.” Wikipedia describes office politics as “the use of one’s individual or assigned power within an employing organization for the purpose of obtaining advantages beyond one’s legitimate authority.”
How much does office politics affect hospital medicine?
“Of course there is office politics in any work environment,” says Heather A. Harris, MD, former director of Eden Inpatient Services in Castro Valley, Calif., and currently splitting time as a hospitalist at the University of California San Francisco and the Palo Alto Medical Foundation. Dr. Harris, however, believes office politics is rare within hospital medicine because, “It is a young field and a growing field; everyone is growing together, so things tend to be pretty democratic. This is especially true of newer groups.”
Then again, there are times hospitalists find themselves embroiled in office politics. When this happens, what should you do?
Take the High Ground
Although she’s encountered few cases of office politics in her career, Dr. Harris’ general advice for hospitalists is, “First, recognize it, and then try to be a good team player.” Stay above the fray and try to tread carefully around political situations, especially if you’re a manager or informal leader.
Mary Jo Gorman, MD, MBA, CEO of Advanced ICU Care in St. Louis, and former SHM president, advises hospitalists and group directors to “take the high ground, no matter how frustrated you become.” She stresses discretion: “You can talk about it to your spouse, but if you’re a leader, you can’t even [comment on someone’s behavior] in front of your group. You never know, especially if you’re in a relatively small community, when you’re going to need someone’s support. You need to stay on good terms with people.” Dr. Gorman’s advice for leaders holds true for individuals hospitalists caught up in office politics.
Power Struggles
The role hospital medicine groups play as change agents probably is the main reason office politics may develop. “Any time you’re introducing a new concept that somebody feels threatened by, you’re going to incur some defensive maneuvers,” Dr. Gorman warns. “Whether you’re introducing a new hospital medicine group, or trying to change something, like the admissions process in the emergency room, you’re going to disrupt someone’s actions. Then you’ll find a whole broad range of reactions. And the more a person feels threatened, the more aggressive they’ll become.”
Based on her experiences establishing Eden Inpatient Services in 2003, Dr. Harris knows bringing a hospital medicine group into a hospital for the first time can be “a very political situation.” You can be stepping on personal, professional, and financial toes. “When you’re part of a new hospital medicine group … you’re potentially poised to take a lot of business away from people,” Dr. Harris explains. “It’s difficult to navigate those waters and build relationships” with physicians you’re consulting with and with primary care physicians. “In a way, this even extends to nurses,” she says. “You’re suddenly going to be working with them on patient care, and changing the way they work.” Dr. Harris encourages hospitalists to be aware of touchy situations, so as not to inadvertently fuel the fire of office politics. “Especially for young physicians just starting out, there can be a lack of recognition of other people’s feelings and turfs,” she cautions.
Hospitalists faced with an office issue should combine the cautionary approach with a willingness to work with people, even those who are engaging in office politics. “When you’re implementing a change, regardless of what it is, you need to identify who will think it’s a good thing and who will not,” Dr. Gorman advises. “You need to speak with individuals in the latter group, or choose others to speak to them, to garner their support.”
Take, for example, proposing a new project for your hospital’s Quality Improvement committee. A cautionary approach and team building will go a long way. “You’ve got to get to the people on the committee ahead of time, explain what you want to do, and get their feedback and support,” Dr. Gorman says. “If you find someone who opposes it, make sure you have enough support to override them. Or, better yet, find someone who can approach them on the topic, maybe their partner or another member of their group. This is a very practical approach.”
Identify Informal Leadership
When considering this inclusive approach, don’t forget the indirect leadership. “You may have a member of the medical staff who has some informal authority or power, maybe they have the most years of experience, or bring a lot of patients to the hospital, or maybe they are a member of the same group as someone in power,” Dr. Gorman says. “These informal leaders can create a lot of disturbance.”
To avoid problems, either direct or indirect, with these types of people, identify them early and make it a point to include them in the plan. “Usually, you know who holds informal power within your organization or the hospital,” Dr. Gorman says. “All you have to do is talk to them and explain what you’re doing. No one likes to be surprised. You might have to make some changes to accommodate their concerns.”
If this tactic fails and you still face opposition, you might have to weigh how important the opposition is. “You may decide to move ahead, even if you have to make changes and the project takes more time,” she says. “For physicians working in hospitals, we’re all used to instant results. You have to understand that process change takes time and you may have to take something bit by bit, and not get immediate results or responses.”
Be tactful about other professionals’ territories and feelings. Keep communication open and avoid springing surprises on stakeholders. Most importantly, stick to the high ground. These simple steps can help you stay far from the minefield known as office politics. TH
Jane Jerrard is a medical writer based in Chicago. She also writes “Public Policy” for The Hospitalist.