Presented on June 23, 2020
Ellen Melis will share the findings of her doctoral dissertation that sought to understand the interaction of system and personal elements that contributed to a person-and family-centred culture in long-term care. What surfaced was the pivotal role of personal support workers who, motivated by deep caring attend to all aspects of care for residents. Although efforts are well intentioned, health system, organizational policies and practices along with in-home relationships unintentionally contribute to an undervalued, invisible and silenced workforce caring for the most vulnerable in our society. Five blind spots were identified and will be shared, along with the implications for leadership practice. Success in complex systems requires an openness to developing structures and processes for input into decision-making from all parts of the system and opportunities for real dialogue that consider all parties to be equal partners. Fostering empowerment practices for PSWs within organizations and the health system is a culture shift that requires systems thinking and social interaction practices that foster mutuality, organizational learning, and collective methods for meaning making that include PSWs. This culture shift is essential for quality of care and the safety and wellbeing of PSWS and residents.Â
