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Uncovering paradoxes from physicians’ experiences of patient-centered ward-round

Fredrik Bååthe (Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden, Institute of Stress Medicine, Gothenburg, Sweden and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden)
Gunnar Ahlborg Jr (Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden and Institute of Stress Medicine, Gothenburg, Sweden)
Lars Edgren (Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden)
Annica Lagström (Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden)
Kerstin Nilsson (Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden)

Leadership in Health Services

ISSN: 1751-1879

Article publication date: 1 January 2016

397

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to uncover paradoxes emerging from physicians’ experiences of a patient-centered and team-based ward round, in an internal medicine department.

Design/methodology/approach

Abductive reasoning relates empirical material to complex responsive processes theory in a dialectical process to further understandings.

Findings

This paper found the response from physicians, to a patient-centered and team-based ward round, related to whether the new demands challenged or confirmed individual physician’s professional identity. Two empirically divergent perspectives on enacting the role of physician during ward round emerged: We-perspective and I-perspective, based on where the physician’s professional identity was centered. Physicians with more of an I-perspective experienced challenges with the new round, while physicians with more of a We-perspective experienced alignment with their professional identity and embraced the new round. When identity is challenged, anxiety is aroused, and if anxiety is not catered to, then resistance is likely to follow and changes are likely to be hampered.

Practical implications

For change processes affecting physicians’ professional identity, it is important for managers and change leaders to acknowledge paradox and find a balance between new knowledge that needs to be learnt and who the physician is becoming in this new procedure.

Originality/value

This paper provides increased understanding about how physicians’ professional identity is interacting with a patient-centered ward round. It adds to the knowledge about developing health care in line with recent societal requests and with sustainable physician engagement.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Åsa Lindgren was a valuable partner during the interview process. Lars-Erik Norbäck was the project leader of the overarching transdisciplinary and inter-professional research initiative this study emanated from. Financial support has been received from the Swedish innovation office, Vinnova as well as Region Västra Götaland. Employees at the internal medicine clinic at Kungälv hospital have been generous with their time and in sharing their clinical experiences.

Authors’ contribution: FB: Study design, data collection, data analysis and writing the manuscript; GA: Study design, data analysis and consistency of the manuscript; LE: Study design, data analysis and consistency of the manuscript; AL: Data analysis and consistency of the manuscript; KN: Study design, data analysis and consistency of the manuscript.

Citation

Bååthe, F., Ahlborg Jr, G., Edgren, L., Lagström, A. and Nilsson, K. (2016), "Uncovering paradoxes from physicians’ experiences of patient-centered ward-round", Leadership in Health Services, Vol. 29 No. 2, pp. 168-184. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHS-08-2015-0025

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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