Rethinking gossip and scandal in healthcare organizations

Waddington, K. 2016. Rethinking gossip and scandal in healthcare organizations. Journal of Health Organization and Management. 30 (6), pp. 810-817. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHOM-03-2016-0053

TitleRethinking gossip and scandal in healthcare organizations
AuthorsWaddington, K.
Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this viewpoint paper is to argue that gossip is a neglected aspect of organizational communication and knowledge, and an under-used management resource.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper challenges mainstream managerial assumptions that gossip is trivial or tainted talk which should be discouraged in the workplace. Instead, gossip is re-framed at an organizational level of analysis, which provides the opportunity for relational knowledge about systemic failure and poor practice in healthcare to surface.
Findings – Rather than simply viewing gossip as an individual behaviour and interpersonal process, it is claimed that organizational gossip is also a valuable early warning indicator of risk and failure in healthcare systems. There is potentially significant value in re-framing gossip as an aspect of organizational communication and knowledge. If attended to (rather than neglected or silenced) gossip can provide fresh insights into professional practice, decision-making and relational leadership.
Originality/value – This paper offers a provocative challenge to mainstream health organization and management thinking about gossip in the workplace. It offers new ways of thinking to promote patient safety, and prevent the scandals that have plagued healthcare organizations in recent years.

KeywordsCommunication, knowledge sharing, leadership, patient safety, healthcare
JournalJournal of Health Organization and Management
Journal citation30 (6), pp. 810-817
ISSN1477-7266
Year2016
PublisherEmerald Publishing Limited
Accepted author manuscript
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1108/JHOM-03-2016-0053
Web address (URL)http://www.emeraldinsight.com/toc/jhom/30/6
Publication dates
Published19 Sep 2016

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