Health Care Management Errors in a Post Modern/Complex Adaptive System
MHA 601

Health Care Management Errors in a Post Modern/Complex Adaptive System Post modernistic/complex adaptive systems allow a leader a broader spectrum in which to examine a potential problem. In the past, problems in healthcare were presented and leaders used an absolute to correct the problem and move forward. Health care problems today are more complex and require a manager to think in terms bigger than just an absolute solution. “For the postmodernist, all models are only partial descriptions of reality, and scientific models are shaped not only by traditional scientific processes, but also by political, social, and personal interest,” (Johnson, 2009, p. 65). The following summaries of management errors will be examined as if management were that of a post modern/complex adaptive system. Scenario 1: A manager fails to account for employees’ ability to learn safe practices by experimenting on their own to increase productivity and jeopardize current standards put in place. This scenario is an error because the manager failed to see the inevitability of change. As resources become scarcer, employees are going to search for ways to increase their productivity as they feel more pressure to produce. A manger with a post modernist perspective would act as a change agent and anticipate the need for increased productivity and would implement the changes necessary prior to their staff experimenting on their own. “The change agent's job is to develop a climate for planned change by overcoming resistances and rallying forces for positive growth,” (Westover, 2010). Scenario 2: A manager puts all employees through the same orientation program with no regard to cultural differences, therefore laying groundwork for conflict due to misinterpretation of role assignments. This scenario