Paradox in Healthcare Organizations: A Course in Paradox Theory for Medical Librarians*

Paradox theory is a lens we can use to understand underlying persistent tensions in our organizations and, instead of living in frustration with them, we can learn to embrace the creative opportunities they give us to move past the tension and into a place of empowerment. A paradox is a set of oppositional elements that persist over time and are interdependent. We often feel the need to fix them, like when we feel forced to choose innovation over tradition. This course has four parts: defining organizational paradoxes, how to identify them in your own healthcare and library organizations, classifying them to enhance understanding, and applying them to specific workplace situations. Along the way participants will learn of recommended readings to further their understanding outside of the webinar format and have opportunities to discuss these challenging ideas with the instructor and other participants.

Resource URL: [Pending] 

Learning Objectives

• Participants will be able to define organizational paradox.
• Participants will be able to provide several examples of paradoxes in health and medical library settings.
• Participants will be able to describe a specific technique for managing a paradox in their own organization

Agenda

12:15-12:20  Introduction

12:20-12:40  Overview of paradox theory - presentation slides with audience interaction and poll in chat

12:40-12:50  Breakout session 1: Identification of paradoxes in healthcare organizations

12:50-1:00  Report out, poll in chat, open Q&A

1:00-1:15  Leading through paradox - presentation slides with downloadable handout

1:15-1:25  Breakout session 2: Practice dissecting a healthcare paradox

1:25-1:40  Report out, poll in chat to check achievement of learning objectives, open Q&A

1:40-1:45  Final remarks, distribution of reading list/bibliography, invitation to contact instructor with questions

MLA CE Credits: 1.5