Scientific Management Theory: Improving Efficiency in Healthcare

This report delves into the principles of scientific management theory, originally introduced by Frederick W. Taylor, and its relevance to healthcare management. The assignment begins with an overview of the theory, emphasizing its focus on enhancing organizational efficiency through scientific analysis, improved work processes, and the alignment of employee and employer interests. The report then explores the application of these principles within the healthcare sector, specifically addressing inefficiencies in staffing and communication. It highlights the use of tools like the Management and Education Services for Healthcare system to improve staffing based on employee skills and patient acuity. Furthermore, the report examines the importance of effective communication between staff and management, as well as the implementation of participative decision-making processes, such as involving staff in policy formulation, to enhance employee motivation and productivity. The report concludes by summarizing the key takeaways and implications of scientific management theory for improving healthcare practices.

Running head- Scientific Management Theory
Scientific Management Theory

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Scientific Management Theory
Assignment 1st – Theories and Concept in Leadership and Management Week one:
Fredrick W. Taylor, an inventor, and engineer introduced the theory of the scientific
management. The focus of the scientific management theory is on improving the efficiency of
the organization through systematically enhancing the efficiency of the task with the help of
engineering, mathematical as well as scientific analysis. The goal of this theory is to enhance the
methods as well as process of the production and reduce the waste. It also focuses on serving the
common interests of the employees, employers as well as the society (Waring, 2016). According
to this theory, people are being motivated by money. The theory also states that there should be
the separation between the employees and employers or between the workers and managers. The
application of the scientific management theory may help in increasing the productivity of the
employees as well as the profitability of the organization. The theory aims at increasing the
efficiency of the organization with the help of the most efficient approaches for completing a
task.
There are several routines in health care which seem to be inefficient such as staffing. Staffing is
one of the routines in health care which is inefficient in several health cares. The guidelines for
staffing are generally introduced as the patient to nurse ratio without considering acuity. In order
to improve the efficiency of staffing, the UW system has introduced a tool which is based on the
skill of the employees as well as acuity. The tool is known as Management and Education
Services for Healthcare.
Apart from staffing, communication is also one of the routines which are inefficient in several
health cares. Communication is very important in order to carry all the things effectively and
efficiently. If the efficiency, as well as the effectiveness of the communication, would be low,

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the efficiency and effectiveness of other functions of the organization would also be low.
Communication between employees and management as well as between staffs and managers
should be efficient. Providing patients care is also one of the important routines of the health
care. Due to the limited financial and other resources, the health cares do not provide adequate
patient care services (CHEN, 2016).
There are several examples of participative decision making exist in the workplace. For example,
formulating policies and procedures of the organization is a good example of participative
decision making. Each and every staff of the health care is invited to the meeting in order to seek
their opinions on the concerned topic. It helps in motivating the employees as well as improving
their performance and productivity.

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References
Waring, S. P. (2016). Taylorism Transformed: Scientific management theory since 1945. UNC
Press Books.
CHEN, J. (2016). Rationalisation within a healthcare context: Application of the concept Theory
of Constraints within a minor healthcare department.