Investigating Leadership Development practices in Private Sector in Literature review

Investigating Leadership Development practices in Private Sector in Oman - Literature review Example e changes within the organization, it is important for the leader to first understand the fears of the employees as well as anticipating their questions (MacKenzie, 2013). It is this understanding which will assist in the leader gaining support for a change instead of opposition which might lead to the failure in the structure of the organization. The leader has to realize that organizations that are successful in enforcing change do so through embracing strategic value of communication with employees. The leader should ensure that communication takes place before the change is implemented, during the change process, and after the transition of the organization. Therefore, it is essential that throughout the entire transition process of the organization, to constantly have communication. It has been claimed that in order for a leader to be effective, the first strategy that he should have in mind involves focusing on issues related to the people (Cashman, 1997). In such a scenario, the leader can focus solely on convincing the most talented people within the organization as well as those who hold key positions to accept his vision for the organization’s future. The need to convince such individuals is based on the fact that they are the ones who are most likely to offer resistance in case they are not convinced of the strategies being adopted by the leader. Therefore, continuity should be ensured through an understanding of the business and the leader’s realization that his vision affects the successful future of the organization (Harris & Cole, 2007). If a leader does not put this understanding into consideration when making decisions, he might face a challenge where a pivotal talent does not exist. The presence of communication between the leader and key employees; his ensuring that employees are empowered and the creation of a culture that enables them thrive are an integral part of focus on people during integration. The effective communication from the

Are actors and professional athletes paid too much Essay - 1

Are actors and professional athletes paid too much - Essay Example Perhaps the life of glamor experienced by such individuals does not do much to dispel this argument. Among athletes idolized in terms of payments include Arnold Schwarzenegger; a former bodybuilder later turned actor and a governor of California. Arnold, who is better known for his roles in Conan the Barbarian and the Terminator and the Expendables, is rumored to be among those that are highly paid in the industry. What is interesting is that he has lived in both sides of the acting and athlete jobs. Others include Dwayne â€Å"the rock† Johnson, who rose to fame as a professional wrestler with WWE. According to the Hollywood Reporter Magazine, actors such as Robert Downey Jr. and Sandra Bullock top the list when it comes to payments. Downey Jr’s $ 75 million emanates from his 7 percent slice in Iron Man # and a whopping $12 million from HTC endorsement deal. However, before we roast actors and actresses due to their salaries, we should know that there seems to be some discrimination among the big stars and those not considered as big stars. â€Å"When you a big star, you get well paid, with the middle being cut out,† one top agent commented on the Hollywood Reporter magazine. So much so that, Leornardo DiCaprio earned $25 million for the hit movie The Wolf of Wall Street with co-star Jonah Hill only managing $600000. What’s more is that DiCaprio even got nominated for an Oscar because of his â€Å"troubles.† According to Hollywood Life, The Big Bang Theory Fans are â€Å"outraged† over the multi-million deal lead actors Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting, and Johnny Galecki have signed with CBC. What’s funny is that one would normally presume that fans would be thrilled by the news that their favorite sitcom actors would be bagging more. â€Å"Prior to the reported new deal, each actor was earning $350000. The trio has now tripled their paychecks having signed on for three

The United States and China Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

The United States and China - Essay Example This essay stresses that what is even more worrying is the fact that China imports almost all its raw materials, ranging from oil, alumina, cotton wool, and other materials needed for production. China is less fortunate when it comes to availability of the natural resource. Even worse is that the country’s tremendous population has to rely on the very little they can. That is why China has to rely on exports. China’s cultivated land is only 8 percent. Yet its economy is 22 percent of the entire world. This shows how much strain the country has to deal with. This paper makes a conclusion that the U.S., on the other hand, does not have to heavily rely on imports. This is because the country can produce much more than it needs for sustainability. It even has surplus produce for export. This is what helps to set it apart. In addition, the development that is going on in China is depleting the resources. The forest cover is diminishing, in fact, it is one of the worst covered in the whole world. This has only seen an increase in pollution, and it is adding to the global warming being experienced the world over. With the advancement of the Chinese, India, and other Asian countries, it is clear that Asia as a whole is on the rise in economic standing. Which a huge labor force, technological growth and an increase in exports, economic growth in Asia is steadily on the rise. America will continue to maintain its state because it is well advanced and well developed.

Have Technology Taken over Some People Lives Essay Example for Free

Have Technology Taken over Some People Lives Essay Is there a concern about people becoming too dependent on technology? Do you think too much technology is too much for your children? Does technology affect the brain? Some of us think that there is a possibility that too much technology is affecting our children. They seem to not get the concept of things. Kids today can’t seem to think in a rational way. Everything done for children is through some type of technology. Technology is taught at such a young age that kids don’t get the opportunity to learn on their own and by the time they arrive teenage it seems to become more evident. Sarah Harris in a MailOne article â€Å"Too much internet use can damage teenagers brains† says, â€Å"Excessive internet use may cause parts of teenagers’ brains to waste away, a study reveals. Scientists discovered signs of atrophy of grey matter in the brains of heavy internet users that grew worse over time. This could affect their concentration and memory, as well as their ability to make decisions and set goals. It could also reduce their inhibitions and lead to ‘inappropriate’ behavior. Researchers took MRI brain scans from 18 university students, aged 19, who spent eight to 13 hours a day playing games online, six days a week. The students were classified as internet addicts after answering eight questions, including whether they had tried to give up using computers and whether they had lied to family members about the amount of time they spent online. compared them with a control group of 18 students who spent fewer than two hours a day on the internet. One set of MRI images focused on grey matter at the brain’s wrinkled surface, or cortex, where the processing of memory, emotions, speech, sight, hearing and motor control occurs. Comparing grey matter between the two groups revealed atrophy within several small regions of all the online addicts’ brains. The scans showed that the longer their internet addiction continued, the ‘more serious’ the damage was. The researchers also found changes in deep-brain tissue called white matter, through which messages pass between different areas of grey matter in the nervous system. These ‘structural abnormalities were probably associated with functional impairments in cognitive control’, they say. The researchers added that these abnormalities could have made the teenagers more ‘easily internet dependent’, but concluded they ‘were the consequence of IAD (internet addiction disorder)’. ‘Our results suggested long-term internet addiction would result in brain structural alterations,’ they said. The study, published in the PLoS ONE journal, was carried out by neuroscientists and radiologists at universities and hospitals in China, where 24million youths are estimated to be addicted to the internet. Wake-up call: Dr Aric Sigman said it was a shame that we needed photos of brains to realise that sitting in front of a screen is not good for childrens health In Britain, children spend an average of five hours and 20 minutes a day in front of TV or computer screens, according to estimates by the market-research agency Childwise. Dr Aric Sigman, a fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, described the Chinese research as a ‘wake-up call’. He said: ‘It strikes me as a terrible shame that our society requires photos of brains shrinking in order to take seriously the common-sense assumption that long hours in front of screens is not good for our children’s health. ’ Baroness Greenfield, professor of pharmacology at Oxford University, described the results as ‘very striking’. She said: ‘It shows there’s a very clear relationship between the number of years these young people have been addicted to the internet and changes in their brains. ‘We need to do more experiments and we need to invest more money in research and have more studies like this. The neuroscientist has previously warned there could be a link between children’s poor attention spans and the use of computers and social-networking websites. She is concerned that not enough attention is being paid to evidence that computer use is changing young people’s brains. Professor Karl Friston, a neuroscientist at University College London, told the Scientific American journal the techniques used in the small-scale study were rigorous. He said: ‘It goes against intuition, but you don’t need a large sample size. That the results show anything significant at all is very telling. ’

Treating Alcoholism

Treating Alcoholism Introduction Alcoholism is defined as a disease that is persistent, progressive and often fatal. It is not a symptom of other diseases or emotional problems; it is its own disorder. Alcohol affects every part of the body even the brain which will eventually adapt to the alcohol use by becoming dependent on it after prolonged use. Genetics and environment are factors that are influenced by this disease. Drinking can reduce life expectancy by 10-12 years and next to smoking is the second most common preventable cause of death in America. The earlier a person starts drinking, the greater their chance is of developing serious illness later on. Once dependant on alcohol, its very difficult to quit. The cause of alcoholism is unknown. Just drinking gradually and consistently over time can produce alcohol dependence and cause withdrawal symptoms during periods of abstinence, but this is not the only cause of alcoholism. To develop alcohol dependence several other factors typically come into play, like genetics, culture and psychology. The signs of alcoholism or a dependence on alcohol vary from person to person and depend on how much the person drinks or how the person drinks. The definition of alcohol use and abuse ranges from moderate drinking, which is defined as equal to or less then two drinks a day for men and equal to or less then one drink a day for women. Hazardous or heavy drinking would be defined as more then 14 drinks per week or 4-5 drinks at one sitting for men or more then 7 drinks a week or 3 drinks in one setting for women or frequent intoxication in either gender. Harmful drinking is when alcohol consumption has actually caused physical or psychological harm or alcohol consumption has persisted for at least a month or has occurred consistently for a year. Alcohol abuse is used when the person either cant fulfill work or personal obligations and/or has recurrent problems with the law. Alcohol dependence is used for people that three or more alcohol related problems in a period of one year that in cludes increased amount of alcohol needed to produce an effect earlier obtained with less alcohol, experiences withdrawal symptoms or drinks to avoid withdrawal symptoms, drinks more then intended, unsuccessfully attempting to cut down or quit, gives up hobbies or leisure activities to drink. Summary Emotional and behavior problems such as depression and anxiety put people at a high risk for alcoholism and often are the reason the elderly turn to alcohol. Problem drinking in this case can be a way to self medicate. People may also use alcohol to become less inhibited in public situations that for some may be a source of great anxiety. Those that have impulsive personalities are also at a great risk for developing dependence to alcohol, due to the fact that they have low impulse control. Alcoholism affects every part of the body causing illness, cancer and with long term consumption can even cause death. Frequent, heavy drinking is associated with a higher risk of death to injury, violence and medical disorders, like pancreatitis, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, nerve damage and even impotence. As people age it takes few drinks to become intoxicated and organs are damaged by smaller amounts of alcohol then younger people. Those that require surgery also have an increased risk of postoperative complications, including infections, bleeding and decreased heart and lung functions, along with wound healing problems. If withdrawal symptoms are present can inflict further stress on the body and delay healing. Neurological or mental disorders can be caused from binge drinking which can cause memory impairment and problems thinking and concentrating. Nerve damage from severe vitamin deficiencies can impair mental function and memory and cause emotion disorders and even psychosis, like Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome, that causes loss of balance, confusion and memory loss and can lead to permanent brain damage and even death. Diagnosing alcoholism can be hard, since nearly always people deny the problem. But for most, denial may be the first warning sign that their drinking is out of hand. There are tests to screen for alcoholism, most are short and allow the person to take them on his or her own time. Because people deny their problem or attempt to hide it, the questions relate to problems associated with drinking, rather then the amount of liquor consumed. The quickest test is the CAGE test and is an acronym for: 1. Attempts to CUT (C) down on drinking. 2. ANNOYANCE (A) with criticisms about drinking. 3. GUILT (G) about drinking. 4. Use of alcohol as an EYE-OPENER (E) in the morning. This test is called a Self Administered Alcoholism Screening Test (SAAST) and appears to be the most useful in detecting alcoholism in white middle aged males. Alcoholism, hard to detect in elderly women is sometimes diagnosed as depression and prescribed anti-anxiety drugs that can have dangerous effects when mixed with al cohol conclusion Treatments for alcoholism vary, but the overall goal in treatment is total abstinence, since those that abstain have better success rates then those that dont. Treatment should also, include replacing addictive patterns with satisfying, time filling, behaviors which are able to fill the void in daily activities when drinking has stopped. Because alcoholism is so difficult to treat, most doctors will choose to treat alcoholism as a chronic disease that include relapses and remission periods. Inpatient and outpatient treatments are available to those that would benefit most from these types of treatments. Those with co-existing medical or mental disorders or those that might harm themselves have greater success with inpatient treatments at a psychiatric hospital or alcohol center. Outpatient treatments work best with people that have a good support system and are able to take medications for mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms. Psychotherapy treatments focus on Psychotherapeutic approaches and include cognitive-behavior therapy is used for severe alcoholism and gives people the opportunity to learn to cope and control their behavior, by changing the way they think about drinking and Interactional group psychotherapy that includes group based therapy like Alcoholics Anonymous or AA, 12-step program. Alcoholism is a very real and serious disease that requires medical treatment and those suffering will require lifelong care and support.

Concepts In Clinical Outcomes Nursing Essay

Concepts In Clinical Outcomes Nursing Essay Avedis Donabedians model presents an all-inclusive model of the relationship between variables that contribute to quality of care, healthcare costs and health status. Donabedians (1988) classical approach to the assessment of the quality of patient care within a hospitalization setting is comprised of three components, which include: structure, process, and outcome. The first two variables, structure and process, are labeled indirect variables by Dr. Tim Postema, because of their overall significance and contribution to the third variable, outcome (2005). To better understand Donabedians model, a brief overview of each variable will follow. The structural component is defined by the setting, which includes the attributes of material resources (such as facilities, equipment, and money), of human resources (such as the number and qualifications of personnel), and of organizational structure (such as medical staff organization, methods of peer review, and methods of reimbursement) (Dona bedian, 1988, pg. 1745). Examples of structural component may include but is not limited to the physical working environment itself, staffing mix and ratios of patients to nurse, and the organizational culture itself (institutional policies). The structural component of the model emphasizes characteristics of nurses involved in each patients care, certain characteristics of the patient as well as the organizational structure of the hospital in which the patient care was received (Duffy Hoskins, 2002). The second variable of consideration in Donabedians model (1988) the process component, which he defines as giving and receiving care (pg. 1745) is the specific intervention or interventions that are applied, which includes patient and provider participation. Finally, the third component of Donabedians model (1988) for assessing the quality of care is the outcome component of the model which is defined as the effects of care on the health status of patients and populations ( pg. 1745) . Now that the significant variables have been defined, a discussion of their relationship and how they apply to the assessment of patient quality of care will follow. Donabedians model attempts to explain health care quality in terms of outcomes that are measurable by the interrelationship between the structure, process and other attributable variables such as the improvement in a patients health status and satisfaction (1988). Donabedians model plays a significant role in the assessment of quality of care from the patients perception and is a high priority in the pay for performance reform that has occurred within the past decade (Wachter, Foster, Dudley, 2008), specifically from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). There is a lot of evidence to support Donabedians theory relative to the interrelationship between the process components, such as the care provided, and the outcome of the patients health leading up to their discharge from the hospital (Duffy Hoskins, 2003). Research posits that the three-part approach to the assessment of a patients quality of care is legitimately rooted in the relationship among the variables set forth by Donabedian: structure, process, and outcome (Duffy Hoskins, 2002). Donabedian proposed that good structure increases the chances of good process, and good process increases the chances of good outcomes (Donabedian, 1988, pg. 1745). Additional researchers substantiate this further in their research (Duffy Hoskins, 2002 and Postema, 2005). The findings of these researchers substantiated Donabedians framework through a variety of methodological approaches, yet were able to find the overarching correlations between factors of structure to produce positive outcome measures among patients. Thus, it can be concluded that utilization of Donabedians approach to the assessment of quality of care among hospitalized patients can assist in producing higher quality outcome measures, such as the problem facing many institutions relative to the number of medication errors. Donabedians model of structure, process, and outcome will be used to facilitate my endeavors in decreasing medication errors on the Psych-Med Unit (PMU) at St. Marys Health Care System. A detailed discussion of the appropriate variables will follow to provide a more thorough understanding of how the application of this theory will assist in the decreasing the number of medication errors Structure component Nurse characteristics The combination of higher education and years of experience in nursing improves health care outcomes, which include decreased medication errors, lower fall rates, and reducing mortality rates (Tourangeau et. al., 2006; Blegen, Vaughn Goode, 2001). Literature has identified studies that confirm that these certain nurse characteristics (higher education and experience) are related to better patient outcomes (Aiken, Clarke, Sloane, Silber, 2003; Tourangeau, Cranley Jeffs, 2006). Tourangeau et. al.s research (2006) found that more years in nursing experience has a significant and beneficial effect on patient health specifically on 30-day mortality rates in hospitals. Aiken et. al. (2003) found a statistically significant effect which postulates that with an increase in baccalaureate nurses in staffing which is associated with an increased awareness of the culture of safety, there was a decrease in mortality of patients within 30 days of admission. Nursing units with experienced nurse s had lower medication error rates (Blegen, Vaughn Goode, 2001). Patient characteristics Patient characteristics include polypharmacy and multiple diagnoses, including both medical and psychiatric diagnoses. Comorbid diagnosis are associated with the need for the patient to take more medication to manage symptoms and in turn, increases the risk of drug interactions, potential side effects and thus, the need for more medications, errors in the administration of medication, as well as difficulties with compliance upon discharge from the hospital (World Health Organization, 2011). According to the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JACHO), polypharmacy can cause an increased risk for falls, hospitalizations and confusion and/or disorientation (2008, pg. 8). Dr. Joseph Parks, a director for comprehensive psychiatric services for the Missouri Department of Mental Health, commented that, polypharmacy issues within psychiatry occur because one provider does not know what the other provider is prescribing and is a significant factor that diminishes th e overall patients quality of care based on potential side effects and adverse interactions (JACHO, 2008, pg. 9). Literature has identified that with multiple physicians prescribing medications for one patient, there is increase in chance for medication errors and thereby, diminishing the patients overall quality of care. (Tamblyn, McLeod, Abrahamowicz Laprise, 1996). This issue is reliant upon patient report, as well as doctor inquiry and thus, the burden falls upon both parties in order to ensure high quality of care. Organization characteristics The organizational structure characteristics including staffing ratios, staffing mixes, hospitals policy on medication administration and the organizational culture itself can influence the outcomes of care (Duffy Hoskins, 2003). Throughout the years numerous studies have been conducted that show that a higher registered nurse mix was related to lower mortality because that demonstrates the professionalism and integrity of registered nurses (Tourangeau et. al, 2006, pg.5). Studies have shown that an increase in nursing staff providing care resulted in decreased mortality (Tourangeau et. al., 2006), which supports the necessity of higher ratio of registered nurses mix in staffing patterns. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (2008), whose mission is to improve health and healthcare for Americans, found that hospitals and health systems across the country have been working to achieve the culture of their organizations to develop supportive work environments that encourage nursing reten tion and improved quality of patient care. With a keen awareness of culture of safety often attributed to nursing professionals with higher educational degrees, there is an enhanced awareness that the safety of patients is the utmost priority and is highly valued on an organizational level. Because of the value placed on the culture of safety by health organizations and hospitals each year, staff and other health professionals need to continue to focus on improving their precision and skills utilized while caring for patients. In doing this, they become not only aware of potential medication errors, but also avenues to implement interventions to eliminate the tendency of potential risk all together (ISMP, 2006). Process component Bar code scanning As stated previously, process components is the giving and receiving of care (Donabedian, 1988). Relative to the ascribed problem outlined in this paper, the solution that has proven to improve medication administration and thus decrease medication errors is with barcode scanning systems for dosing and medication administration (ISMP, 2002). The ISMP (2002) asserts their confidence in the barcode scanning system by encouraging the use of the technology in any setting which medications are administered. The Institute of Medicine released a report in 2001 that suggested ways to use information technology to come through with a safer, more efficient way to prevent medication errors and improve healthcare quality with the automation of patient-specific clinical information (pg. 5). Medication administration errors are responsible for one-third of the errors (ISMP, 2002). According to the ISMP a bar coding and scanning system is a promising attempt at the reduction of errors in the stage of medication administration based on the accountability and accuracy of this technology (2002). At a patients bedside, bar code scanning identifies the patient, lists the medications ordered, checks for allergies or alerts for medication interactions, and electronically signs the patient record for the nurse (ISMP, 2002). Donabedians Assessment of Patient Quality Care: St. Marys Health Care System St. Marys in Grand Rapids already has this bar code scanning system. The issue on the PMU is the work arounds nursing professionals have implemented to make their medication administration easier. These work arounds are ways nurses can still administer medications without scanning the medication and/or patients identification band; despite the benefits it provides to the staff, it raises a variety of risks for the patient and puts them at greater danger for adverse medication reactions, multiple dosing, incorrect dosing, and so forth. There are other issues reported by nurses that make the work arounds essential, such as the all-too-common issues faced with the use of technology, that being technological malfunctions, limited availability despite the demand for the equipment, and sometimes merely, the time it consumes to find the equipment making the use of such technology more time consuming. As a registered nurse for over nearly 30 years, I can see that the bar code system has proven advantageous and significant in the quality of patient care based on the mere assumption that under hospital care, the utmost elite care is to be provided including medication administration. The bar code scanning procedure implementation enables nurses to look at the (medication/dosage) order, when it was last administered , the dosing, as well as if there are any potential medication interactions to be on the alert for, medication allergies, and whether there are any safety or physical maladies due to missed doses or inaccurate administration (ISMP, 2002). Finally, the technological advances provided for nursing professionals are implemented in order to better account for patient care and safety. The bar code and scanning system is computer-oriented and therefore, supplies a database and record for future use in the event there is any debate about the procedure utilized while hospitalized or even during hospitalization at an alternate hospital. Outcome component Literature has identified that there is an alliance between professional nursing care and positive health outcomes (Duffy Hoskins, 2003). Identifying ways to improve the process of medication administration can improve medication errors. Bar code scanning technology offers a productive way to avoid medications errors and increase patient safety (Begliomini, 2012). Measuring medication errors can be accomplished using many different processes; but with computer analysis of the patients information, measurement becomes much easier and more capable and feasible than error reporting or reviewing charts for purposes of accountability, prevention, and ongoing improvement of both process and clinical practice (Classen Metzger, 2003, pg. 41). In summary, the literature reinforces the idea that a decrease in patient medication errors is best accomplished by use of the bar code scanning for medication administration and therefore a responsibility for the nurse.

Essay on Homers Odyssey: Exploring Our Social Roots -- Homer Odyssey

The Odyssey: Exploring Our Social Roots  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚   In modern western society we are a people taught from very young that good manners and strong morality are necessity.  Ã‚  Ã‚   The idea that the good will prosper and the bad will get what they deserve is widely accepted and applauded.   However, these ideas about the social rules of "modern civil man" are not so novel.   This same system of social behavior and belief is exhibited throughout the epic poem, The Odyssey.   In this epic we find the roots of our contemporary social actions and convictions importantly displayed.    All through this epic there are many examples to distinguish those civilized, who abided by social customs, and those who did not.   One of the primary forms of manner, during this period, was the customary practice of the civilized to invite a guest to feast without prior inquiry into his errand.   We encounter this social rule early upon the first meeting of Telemachos and his mother's suitors during a feast at the home. An unidentified guest arrives and is ignored by the suitors.   However, the mannered Telemachos promptly invites the guest in to join them in feasting; he is annoyed that their guest was made to wait and also embarrassed by and apologizes for the suitor's crude behavior.  Ã‚   This same practice repeats itself throughout the poem and is yet again contrasted when Odysseus and some of his crew arrive at the island of the Cyclops.   The men allow themselves into an unattended cave whose owner is the Cyclops, Polyphemus.   Upon the uncivilized Cyclops' arri val home he eats some of the men and traps the remainder.   Clearly, the social intuition of manners plays such a strong silent role.   As Horace Mann said "Manners easily and rapidly mature into m... ...ood, and idea that good always triumphs over evil.  Ã‚   We can easily witness the roots of present rules of society budding during this time period.   Such reflection and insight allows us to connect in a way, we maybe normally would not have, with one of our modern culture's leaders in morality and manners.    Works Citied Dimock, George E.   The Unity of the Odyssey.   The University Of Massachusetts Press: Amherst, 1989. Bloom, Harold, ed. Modern Critical Interpretation Homer's The Odyssey.   Chelsea House Publishers: New York, 1988. Lawall, Sarah, ed. "The Odyssey."   Trans. Robert Fitzgerald.   The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces.   W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.: New York, London, 1999.   209-514 Cyber Nation Home Page. 2000. Cyber Nation International Inc.< http://www.cyber-nation.com/victory/quotations/subjects/quotes_manners.html>.