YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
Respect is the cornerstone of effective health care, influencing every interaction, decision and outcome. From promoting patient safety to fostering open communication, managing conflict and driving excellence, respect lays the foundation for a thriving health care system. When respect is absent, the consequences ripple across teams, patients and organizations, undermining trust, safety and outcomes.
Respect underpins patient safety
Can patients or their caregivers feel secure when they witness discord among the team responsible for their care? According to a 2022 study published in the Journal of Patient Safety, disruptive behaviors among health care professionals consistently reduce the quality and safety of care. Disruptive behaviors equal disrespect for the working relationships necessary for patient care.
Examples of disrespect and disruption include but not limited to:
• Verbal abuse
• Refusal to collaborate
• Public confrontations
• Chronic lateness or absenteeism
• Public arguments
Bottom line: Health care professionals operate as a symbiotic team. When disrespect undermines that team, the mission of the organization is compromised, and patients are placed at risk.
Respect fosters open communication
Health care professionals rely on timely, accurate communication to safeguard patient outcomes. Respect is key to fostering an environment where team members feel safe sharing critical information. When staff trust they will be heard and valued, they are more likely to voice concerns.
A study in the Journal of Health Organization and Management highlights a troubling scenario: a nurse observed deteriorating vital signs in a patient and suggested postponing surgery. The physician dismissed the nurse’s concerns and proceeded, putting the patient at greater risk. Disrespectful interactions like this can discourage team members from speaking up, potentially compromising care.
Examples of disrespect in communication include:
• Discounting or dismissing concerns
• Failing to explain decisions
• Defensiveness
• Elitism
Bottom line: Dismissing someone’s input without consideration or acknowledgement signals disrespect and can prevent critical communications, endangering patient safety.
Respect promotes conflict management
Conflict is never the problem; mismanagement is. Avoiding difficult conversations about processes, priorities or ethics often leads to systemic dysfunction and conflict mismanagement. The outcome is ethical breaches, diminished trust, wasted time and legal risks.
Examples of systemic disrespect include:
• Unethical decision-making
• Prioritizing profits over patient care
• Ignoring whistleblowers
Consider the case of Redding Medical Center in California. Numerous patients underwent unnecessary heart surgeries to inflate insurance billing and over 20 patients died, according to reporting by SFGate. Despite concerns raised by health care professionals, the administration dismissed them and continued unethical practices, prioritizing profits over patients. The outcome? The hospital’s parent company, Tenet Healthcare, faced $395 million in settlements and $54 million in fines.
Bottom line: Respect for ethics, processes and compliance is essential to prevent unnecessary lawsuits, protect the organization’s mission, and safeguard patient lives.
Respect is a building block of excellence
Hospitals that prioritize respect and collaboration often achieve exceptional outcomes and recognition. For example, in our own backyard we have two-award winning hospitals:
• CoxHealth in Springfield has earned a spot on U.S. News & World Report’s Best Regional Hospitals list for seven consecutive years. Additionally, CoxHealth received Magnet Recognition for Nursing Excellence in 2022, a prestigious honor awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
• Mercy Hospital Springfield garnered Healthgrades’ No. 1 ranking for its orthopedic program in Missouri (2025) and a Leapfrog Top Hospital Award (2024), recognizing excellence in quality and patient safety.
Bottom line: Achievements and recognition underscore how a culture of respect translates to clinical excellence and patient trust.
Respect is more than a value; it’s a practice that transforms health care environments. By promoting patient safety, encouraging open communication, managing conflict effectively and driving organizational excellence, respect elevates health care outcomes for patients, providers and organizations. The health care industry must continue prioritizing respect to ensure its mission aligns with the highest standards of care and compassion.
Marlene Chism is a Springfield-based consultant and author of “From Conflict to Courage: How to Stop Avoiding and Start Leading.” She can be reached at marlene@marlenechism.com.
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