Week 6: Theories in Action at Rhode Island Hospital

Over the last few weeks at the Partial hospitalization program, I have been able to further examine the relationship between Dr. Zimmerman and the rest of the staff at the program.  Through his interactions with other psychiatrists, along with therapists, clinical RAs, and patients, I have seen him act very differently with each group. I have seen him employ both task and relationship oriented leadership when necessary.

For example, Dr. Zimmerman uses task-oriented leadership when delegating what needs to be done and when. He assigns certain research projects and ideas to RAs on a whim and expects them to get it done in a timely manner, on top of their other responsibilities. Every position at the program has a clear idea of what their job is and how they need to work with others to provide the best care for patients, while gathering the necessary data that will be used for future research. In this way, staff members are never left wondering what to do.

Dr. Zimmerman’s relationship-oriented leadership comes in regarding which psychiatrist, therapist, or research assistant will be assigned to a task. As Rhode Island Hospital is a teaching hospital, and places much emphasis on research, each staff member at the partial program has individual research interests. By getting to know the particular interests of each staff member, Dr. Zimmerman can assign tasks that he believes will be most interesting to each person. For example, when possible, patients with OCD will be assigned to one particular treatment team, and those with borderline personality disorder may be assigned to a different treatment team. When Dr. Zimmerman has an idea for a new journal article, he may approach the RA who he thinks will be most invested in the project.

By combining both task- and relationship-oriented leadership at the program, tasks are done efficiently and delegated well, while acknowledging each staff members’ individual interests and specialities. Because of this, I think patients are getting the best treatment, and employees are enjoying their tasks to the fullest extent.