Poor workplace relationships in healthcare settings can have several negative impacts on healthcare professionals’ mental health, job satisfaction, and patient care. Here’s how to build, maintain, and repair professional relationships among healthcare professionals.
At the end of the day, everyone wants to feel seen, valued, and included at work.* The average person will spend 90,000 hours at work over a lifetime. One of the main factors determining if those 90,000 hours feel satisfactory and meaningful is the working relationships you have with your peers.
Poor work relationships significantly impact the mental health of healthcare professionals, leading to increased stress, burnout, and depression. Studies show stressful work environments due to poor interpersonal interactions contribute to heightened anxiety and emotional exhaustion.*
Toxic relationships in healthcare impair communication and collaboration, increasing the likelihood of medical errors, which can further exacerbate stress and negatively affect patient care. The lack of support and camaraderie may also lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, further deteriorating mental health and lowering job satisfaction.
Improving these factors is crucial for the well-being of healthcare professionals and the quality of patient care. Continue reading to get advice on how to build, keep, and repair professional relationships in healthcare:
How do you build a good work relationship with your colleagues as a doctor or healthcare professional? Please share your tips in the comment section below.
Five Types of Work Relationships in Healthcare
In healthcare, professionals engage in a variety of work relationships, each with its unique dynamics and importance. Understanding these relationships can help healthcare workers build positive interactions, set appropriate boundaries, and maintain a supportive work environment.
Not every relationship needs to be deep or personal; sometimes, maintaining a professional distance is the best approach. Here are the main types of work relationships you might encounter in healthcare:
1. Work Acquaintance
Definition: A work acquaintance is someone you interact with on a superficial level within the workplace. These interactions are typically brief and task-focused.
Example: A healthcare worker might exchange pleasantries or discuss project-specific details with a lab technician from a different department. The relationship remains professional and formal, without delving into personal matters.
2. Work Colleague
Definition: A work colleague is someone you regularly work with and have a more established professional relationship with. The interaction is more frequent and can involve collaboration on various projects or tasks.
Example: A doctor collaborates with a nurse on patient care plans. They may share some personal anecdotes or opinions during breaks, but the primary focus is on work-related activities.
3. Work Friend
Definition: A work friend is a colleague with whom you share a deeper, more personal connection. This work relationship often extends beyond work-related discussions and can include socialising outside of work.
Example: A healthcare worker regularly has lunch with a fellow doctor and discusses not only work but also hobbies, family, and personal interests. This relationship provides emotional support and camaraderie in the workplace.
4. Mentor/Mentee
Definition: A mentor is an experienced professional who provides guidance, advice, and support to a less experienced colleague (the mentee). This work relationship is focused on the mentee’s professional development.
Example: A senior surgeon mentors a junior resident, offering advice on surgical techniques, career advancement, and navigating workplace politics. The mentee benefits from the mentor’s experience and wisdom, while the mentor gains satisfaction from helping a junior colleague grow.
5. Manager/Direct Reports
Definition: This is a hierarchical relationship where a manager oversees the work of their direct reports, providing direction, feedback, and support to ensure team effectiveness and professional growth. These types of work relationships can vary from being very formal to being more personal depending on the work environment and people involved.
Example: A department head supervises a team of nurses, setting goals, providing performance reviews, and addressing any issues that arise. The relationship is professional and structured, with clear expectations and responsibilities.
Understanding these types of work relationships can help healthcare professionals navigate their workplace dynamics more effectively, ensuring a productive and supportive work environment. By fostering good working relationships, healthcare professionals can improve their mental health, job satisfaction, and patient care outcomes.
How to Build a Good Work Relationship in Healthcare
Building good work relationships in healthcare starts with an open mind and taking the time to be curious about a coworker. Connection, trust, and mutual respect are fundamental to fostering healthy relationships among healthcare professionals.
For example, when interacting with a work acquaintance, engaging in small talk and discovering shared interests can turn brief interactions into opportunities for deeper connections. These moments can transform a superficial work relationship into a more meaningful professional relationship.
With work colleagues, participating in collaborative projects helps establish common goals and connection. Actively listening to a colleague’s ideas during a team meeting demonstrates interest and respect, even when it’s easier to focus solely on your tasks. Being open to different perspectives, such as those offered by a mentor or mentee, fosters an environment where learning and growth are encouraged.
Establishing trust by consistently executing your responsibilities and keeping promises is crucial. These efforts lay the foundation for building strong, positive relationships, which are essential for a supportive work environment and your own job satisfaction. Good working relationships in healthcare improves mental health and job satisfaction.
How to Keep and Maintain a Good Work Relationship in Healthcare
Maintaining a good work relationship in healthcare requires ongoing time and effort, which can be difficult given the demands of the job. Regularly checking in with colleagues, whether they are work friends or managers, shows genuine interest in their well-being and professional development.
For example, a manager can maintain a healthy relationship with their team by providing consistent feedback and support, ensuring everyone feels valued and understood. This effort, while time-consuming, is crucial for creating a positive work atmosphere. Investing time in team-building activities and fostering open communication channels helps to reinforce the trust and respect established in the initial stages of the relationship.
Overall, demonstrating support by being there for colleagues during challenging times and respecting their boundaries contributes to a stable and enduring professional relationship. These actions not only enhance individual relationships but also contribute to a cohesive and productive team dynamic, ultimately improving job satisfaction for everyone involved.
How to Repair and Fix a Work Relationship Gone Bad
Repairing a damaged work relationship in healthcare involves taking the initiative and being accountable, which can be extremely hard, especially if you feel hurt or wronged. However, taking the first step by reaching out and expressing a desire to mend the relationship is essential for your mental well-being and the overall harmony of the workplace. Acknowledging any mistakes and taking responsibility for your actions demonstrates maturity and a commitment to resolving the conflict.
For example, if there is a misunderstanding between two work colleagues, a sincere apology, and a discussion about how to move forward can help restore trust and respect. In cases involving leaders, a manager might need to address any breaches of boundaries or unfulfilled promises.
Demonstrating clear communication, respect, and support during this process is crucial, even when it feels uncomfortable. By focusing on rebuilding trust and mutual understanding, it is possible to restore a positive and productive work relationship, which benefits not only the individuals involved but the entire team.
Examples of Poor vs. Good Working Relationships in Healthcare
Regardless of which of the five types of work relationships you are currently working on or reflecting on as a healthcare professional, some key features are foundational to all good working relationships.
How many of these key relationship attributes are currently apparent in some of your work relationships in healthcare?
Top Five Key Features of a Healthy and Good Work Relationship in Healthcare:
- Clear Communication – Do you listen, respond, and explain?
- Clear communication is the cornerstone of any healthy relationship. Everyone wants to be seen, valued, and included. Practising active listening, responding calmly and informatively. Unpacking misunderstandings are crucial for building trust and understanding in professional relationships.
- Clear Boundaries – Do you set clear expectations?
- Establishing and respecting boundaries ensures everyone knows their roles and responsibilities. This fosters a sense of security and clarity in professional interactions. Clear boundaries are essential for maintaining good working relationships.
- Trust – Do you execute your responsibilities and keep your promises?
- Building trust involves consistently fulfilling your duties and commitments, which creates a reliable and dependable work environment. Trust is vital, especially for healthy relationships among healthcare professionals.
- Respect – Do you treat others with humility and consideration?
- Showing respect by valuing others’ contributions and perspectives promotes a positive and collaborative workplace culture. Words like “Please”, “Thank you”, and “Good job” can be game changers in fostering respect in professional relationships.
- Support – How often are you there for the other person?
- Providing support by being available and willing to help colleagues strengthens teamwork and enhances overall job satisfaction. Supportive relationships contribute to a healthy work environment and improve job satisfaction.
Top Five Key Features of a Poor or Toxic Work Relationship in Healthcare:
- Abusive Behaviours: Rudeness, Passive-Aggressiveness, Stonewalling
- Exhibiting abusive behaviours, such as being rude, passive-aggressive, or unresponsive, erodes respect and creates a hostile work environment. These behaviours are detrimental to good working relationships.
- Having Judgements or Making Assumptions
- Jumping to conclusions without seeking clarification can lead to misunderstandings, false perceptions, and a breakdown in communication. Assumptions can quickly turn a healthy relationship into a poor work relationship.
- Do Not Respect Boundaries or Work Responsibilities
- Ignoring established boundaries or failing to adhere to roles and responsibilities creates confusion, frustration, and tension among colleagues. Not respecting boundaries makes the professional relationships unsafe.
- No Accountability – Don’t Do What Has Been Agreed or Promised
- Failing to follow through on commitments and avoiding responsibility undermines trust and reliability in the workplace. Accountability is essential for preventing toxic relationships in healthcare.
- Unfairness – Asks but Don’t Give
- Expecting more from others than one is willing to give in return leads to resentment and an imbalance in work relationships. Fairness is key to sustaining healthy and productive relationships between healthcare professionals.
By identifying and fostering the positive attributes of good working relationships, healthcare professionals can create a supportive and collaborative work environment. Conversely, recognising and addressing the negative aspects of poor relationships is crucial for improving mental health, job satisfaction, and patient care.
Please share your personal experience of work relationships as a healthcare professional in the comment section below.
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