This insightful book discusses vital concepts of system sustainability in terms of productivity, quality improvement, innovation and cost control in the context of maximizing the potential of staff in the health care sector through effective human resource management.Health systems in the western world face increasingly intense pressure to contain or reduce costs, while countries such as China and India move towards universal coverage. The contributors illustrate that radical gains in efficiency and innovative practice are required internationally in health care systems. They argue that the high proportion of health care system costs invested in staffing place the human resource function at the forefront of meeting this challenge. Sustained system change and productivity gains, more effective management of staff and work climate are essential elements of reform and are all covered in this book The book provides practical examples as to how health service managers can rise to the challenge of sustaining services against greater pressures than ever before. It will strongly appeal to academics and students of health service management and public sector management. Health service managers, HR professionals in health as well as clinical staff will also find plenty of informative information in this enriching compendium. Contributors include: J. Appleby, N. Ashkanasy, F. Barwell, H. Bevan, M. Cooke, S. Cross, H. Flanagan, A. Grove, J. Hartley, M. Hopkins, H. Laschinger, S. Leggat, P. Mazelan, J. Ovretveit, A. Richardsen

'Successful medical leaders are usually, but not always, experienced and credible clinicians with good people skills, who look beyond the boundaries of their own specialty or institution, who are positive and perseverant and who are prepared to take reasonable risks to achieve their goals. Most importantly they know how to engage their colleagues and effect change. They understand the principles of organisational performance and the balance between professional autonomy and corporate behaviour - ' Sir Bruce Keogh, in the Foreword This book is a comprehensive account of the key aspects of medical leadership. Easy to read and highly accessible, it explores how the medical profession has evolved in tandem with administrative and structural aspects of the NHS: previously reluctant leaders, doctors are increasingly positive about adopting management and organisational responsibility. Assuming leadership roles at all stages of their training and career is a progressively vital component of the definition of a 'good doctor'. Completely up-to-date, this book features exciting and critical developments such as the embedding of the Medical Leadership Competency Framework as a statutory element of the training and development of all doctors, and the establishment of a new Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management. It is highly recommended, inspiring reading for all medical professionals taking on formal leadership roles. Junior doctors, too, will find much of interest.

Originally published in 1994, Elements of Applied Psychology provided an introductory survey of the major aspects of applied psychology at the time for students of psychology as a main or ancillary subject. It was the first text to investigate the pressures created by this increased interest in applied psychology, offering insight into the factors which had influenced its patterns and direction. The book comprises 18 chapters, covering both the well-established fields of professional psychology, such as educational, clinical/counselling and occupational/organisational psychology, and areas of developing application at the time, including applied cognitive psychology, economic and health psychology, and psychology and law. The text will still be of value to students considering possible career areas in psychology, students on psychology courses pondering choice of specialism and those students taking psychology as a subsidiary subject in one of the areas covered. It is also consistent with the increasing link between the academic community and practitioners. It will serve to increase the understanding and exchange.

This book offers a new, practical approach to healthcare reform. Departing from the priorities applied in traditional approaches, it instead assesses - both theoretically and practically - the successful lessons learned in other safety-critical industries, and applies them to healthcare settings. The authors focus on the importance of human factors and performance measures to establish proactive, systematic methods for healthcare system design. This approach helps to identify potential hazards before accidents occur, enhancing patient safety. In addition, the book details the new approach on the basis of real-world applications in the NHS and insights from NHS staff. Case studies and results are presented, demonstrating the significant improvements that can be achieved in risk reduction and safety culture. Lastly, the book outlines what steps healthcare organisations need to take in order to successfully adopt this new approach. The approach and experiential learning is brought together through the development of a new holistic patient safety education syllabus.

Practical and evidence-based, this unique book is the first comprehensive text focused on person-centered approaches to people with serious mental illness such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It reflects a range of views and findings regarding assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, self-help, policy-making, education and research. It is highly recommended for all healthcare professionals, students, researchers and educators involved in general practice, psychiatry, nursing, social work, clinical psychology and therapy. Healthcare service providers, and policy makers and shapers, will find the book's wide-ranging, multi-professional approach enlightening. 'Serious Mental Illness reflects a continued distancing from the outmoded and unsubstantiated belief that people with severe mental illnesses could not recover, and that they would respond positively only to goals and treatment plans chosen, designed and implemented by providers in order to prevent their further deterioration. Anyone with an interest in the concept of person-centered approaches will discover new ideas in this book. Indeed, anyone with an interest in person-centered approaches has to read this book. Not only is it the first such book on person-centered approaches, but it will serve as the gold standard in this topic area for years to come.' William A Anthony, in the Foreword

This title is a comprehensive account of the key aspects of medical leadership. A highly accessible, text book-style resource, it explores how the medical profession has evolved in tandem with administrative and structural aspects of the NHS. Assuming leadership roles at all stages of their training and career is a progressively vital component of the definition of a good doctor. This book will provide invaluable support and guidance to anyone engaged in leadership within the NHS, but particularly to junior doctors in the primary and secondary care arenas taking on leadership roles for the first time.

This book offers a new, practical approach to healthcare reform. Departing from the priorities applied in traditional approaches, it instead assesses - both theoretically and practically - the successful lessons learned in other safety-critical industries, and applies them to healthcare settings. The authors focus on the importance of human factors and performance measures to establish proactive, systematic methods for healthcare system design. This approach helps to identify potential hazards before accidents occur, enhancing patient safety. In addition, the book details the new approach on the basis of real-world applications in the NHS and insights from NHS staff. Case studies and results are presented, demonstrating the significant improvements that can be achieved in risk reduction and safety culture. Lastly, the book outlines what steps healthcare organisations need to take in order to successfully adopt this new approach. The approach and experiential learning is brought together through the development of a new holistic patient safety education syllabus.

There has been much speculation about the introduction of the contract culture in the public services and its consequences for those involved (including service users). This book, which is based on original research, sets out to examine the impact of contracts in three areas of the public service: health, social services, and other government activities. These findings are set in the context of policy development for the public sector as a whole. Detailed case studies in selected areas reveal the varying different patterns that have emerged. A study of the attitudes of those involved illuminates the different perspectives of participants. In the concluding chapters the authors review the policy implications of the study and identify likely future developments.