COM 302: Healthcare Communication Assignment Report Analysis

This assignment report, focusing on COM 302, explores the challenges of a toxic work environment in a healthcare setting, specifically addressing issues like high absenteeism and low employee morale. The report delves into the impact of these issues on healthcare professionals and proposes solutions, including the implementation of transformational leadership. The student analyzes the root causes of the toxic environment, such as poor communication and lack of leadership, and suggests strategies for building a more positive and supportive workplace. The report highlights the importance of leadership in fostering a healthy work environment and improving patient care. The student suggests using transformational leadership practices, such as modeling the way, to promote staff engagement and create a more positive culture. The report also references relevant literature to support its findings and recommendations, providing a comprehensive analysis of healthcare communication and leadership challenges. The assignment underscores the need for effective leadership in the healthcare sector to address communication breakdowns and foster a more supportive work environment, ultimately improving patient care and staff satisfaction.

Running head: COM 302COMMUNICATION IN HEALTHCARE 1
COM 302Communication in Healthcare
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation

COM 302COMMUNICATION IN HEALTHCARE 2
COM 302Communication in Healthcare
Part One
Question One
I work at the Bapafe hospital located within my locality. One of the signs of the toxic
culture that I experienced in this hospital is high absenteeism and turnover (Sherman, 2019).
During my first working day in this hospital, five out of eight healthcare workers were absent.
Even though there was a high number of patients that day, only three workers were present, and
these were very new to that hospital.
Question Two.
This situation made me feel that I did the wrong course. As such, my attitude towards the
healthcare profession deteriorated. Similarly, my morale for work performance diminished. Also,
I started perceiving healthcare professionals as heartless, inhumane and careless individuals who
disregarded humanity.
Question Three
To repair this toxic situation, there is a need to build staff ownership of new behavioral
expectations. The manager, through a participative meeting, should formulate working standards
including the goals to be achieved and ways of achieving them through.
Part Two.
Question One.
The most appropriate transformational leadership practices that I would prefer for this
situation is modeling the way. Regardless of the high absenteeism of staff in that hospital, I
would act differently by reporting to the job on time and putting all my effort. By doing this, I’m
certain that I will inspire some staff, if not all, to act responsibly.

COM 302COMMUNICATION IN HEALTHCARE 3
Question Two
Transformational leadership supports employees’ development by providing them with
the appropriate support for their growth. Transformational leaders usually encourage
participation, team work and all-round communication (Marshall, 2010). As a result, junior
healthcare workers can converse freely among themselves as well as with their bosses.

COM 302COMMUNICATION IN HEALTHCARE 4
References
Marshall, E. S. (2010). Transformational leadership in nursing: From expert clinician to
influential leader. Springer Publishing Company.
Sherman, R. (2019). Leading the way: 4 Steps to Repairing a Toxic Culture. American Nurse
Today, 14(3).