Some healthcare organizations predetermine training needs based on accreditation standards, OSHA regulations, and other externally defined requirements. However there is no evaluation of whether the training will actually enhance the organization’s ability to achieve improvement goals. It is also common to ask employees what training they think they need. This may be important for individual staff development, but the employee’s view of what is personally important may not address the overall needs or objectives of the organization. Also, managers may provide an opinion about the training needs of their department but there is no confirmation with or reference to the organization’s improvement goals.

The most enlightened healthcare organizations determine the strengths and weaknesses of staff in meeting improvement goals before defining and prioritizing training needs. When goals are established it is important to determine what training may be necessary to achieve these goals. This analysis involves identifying the workforce competencies and skills that are necessary to support goal attainment. A competency is defined as a behavior or set of behaviors that describes required performance for a particular job. Skills are concrete attributes of individuals, such as skill in information technology or conflict management.

For example, a healthcare organization may establish the goal of reducing the number of patient falls. To achieve this goal, employees will need specific competencies and skills. What are these competencies and skills? The answer should be derived from the judgment of supervisors and reinforced through discussions with employees. Then conduct a gap analysis – What competencies and skills are needed? What staff should have these competencies and skills? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the current workforce?

For each of your organization’s performance improvement goals, ask the following questions: Would enhancing the competencies/skills of the current workforce help with goal attainment? Would a better-trained workforce make goal attainment more effective and efficient? What are the learning needs of those staff that will directly influence goal attainment? How will knowledge and skill gaps be addressed?

Some healthcare organizations create a joint steering committee comprised of representatives from various levels and functions to facilitate the implementation of goal-directed training. This committee ensures that the training needs of staff are aligned with the improvement goals of the organization. With input from management, the committee determines what training programs are needed to effect improvements and which employees should participate. The sequence of training implementation can also be established. Inter-departmental task forces may be formed to focus on specific staff competencies or skills that are deemed weak.

With budgetary allowances for staff training and education shrinking, the need to link training requirements with the organization’s improvement goals is more important than ever before. Any educational program will stand or fall based on its effectiveness and alignment with the organization’s priorities. An organization’s improvement goals serve as the blueprint for transforming current performance into the desired future state. Employee training and development are essential to achieving these goals. The primary way that educational programs can gain needed support and recognition is by illustrating how they are intrinsically linked to the organization’s improvement priorities.

In January 2002 Jossey-Bass/AHA Press published a comprehensive book on staff training in healthcare organizations. Guide to Effective Staff Development in Health Care Organizations (edited by Patrice Spath), details many innovative suggestions for providing cost-efficient staff orientation, training, and continuing education. This book serves as a contemporary field guide for those who must make informed decisions about which staff training and education strategies are best for their organization. Senior leaders, managers, and education directors will learn how to transform their healthcare organization into a learning environment that supports the strategic performance improvement goals. For ordering information visit the Jossey-Bass web site (www.josseybass.com) or call (800) 956-7739. ISBN: 0-787-95874-3

To Learn More: Patrice L. Spath is available for in-house presentations on this and other healthcare quality improvement topics. For further details, visit Brown-Spath & Associates on the web at: http://www.brownspath.com or write to: Brown-Spath & Associates, PO Box 721, Forest Grove, OR 97116.

Visit the web site of Brown-Spath & Associates (www.brownspath.com) for the latest information on health care quality and resource management, free up-to-date articles on contemporary performance improvement topics and invaluable training resources. Our web site is updated at least quarterly, so be sure to return often!