One of the challenges that the Director of a Community Kidney Health Education program may encounter is the potential disagreement over roles and responsibilities among team members. According to Boswell & Cannon (2020) not having clearly defined roles can occur when there is vagueness or overlap in job duties, leading to misunderstandings and potential friction among staff. The impact of differing roles can lead to inefficiencies, frustration, and a lack of accountability. For example, if there is uncertainty about who is responsible for organizing community outreach events or managing educational programs, tasks might be neglected or duplicated. In addressing this issue, it is crucial to establish clear roles and responsibilities from the beginning (Du Pré & Overton, 2021). Several potential approaches can be taken to prevent incivility, including organizational, interpersonal, and conflict-resolution strategies.

• Conflict resolution from an organizational standpoint and frequent team meetings are necessary to discuss and clarify roles, foster open communication, and address questions to ensure a comprehensive understanding of everyone's responsibilities. Promoting active participation from all team members is critical, as well as encouraging the sharing of ideas and collaborative efforts to generate options aligned with the team's goals (Du Pré & Overton, 2021).
• From an interpersonal perspective, a collaborative and open team culture should be fostered where members feel comfortable discussing their roles and seeking clarification. Team members should be encouraged to communicate proactively about their workload, ensuring everyone is on the same page regarding their responsibilities (Boswell & Cannon, 2020).
• From a conflict-resolution perspective, a process should be established for promptly addressing role conflicts or vagueness. This could involve a designated point of contact or a team meeting to discuss and resolve issues. An effective system for feedback and evaluation should be implemented, allowing team members to express concerns about roles and responsibilities. This feedback can be used to make necessary adjustments (Boswell & Cannon, 2020).

Addressing role conflicts is crucial to preserving the program's effectiveness and fostering a cohesive team dynamic. By mitigating the impact of divergent roles, teams can prevent future instances of discourtesy and cultivate a more efficient and harmonious working environment.

 

References:

Boswell, W. R., & Cannon, J. P. (2020). Introduction to nursing research: Incorporating evidence-based practice (4th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Du Pré, A. & Overton, B.C. (2021). Communicating about Health: Current Issues and Perspectives (6^th edition). Oxford University Press.

 

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