Title: Unit 3 Case Scenario
Course: Fundamentals of Behavioral Health (70 Hours with MOAB) > Section: Unit 3: Communication, Compassion and Teamwork

Please read the following Mini-Case Study and complete the Mini- Case Study questions.

Unit 3: Critical Thinking Mini-Case Study

Danny and Janice work in the emergency department (ED). They have known each other for 5 years; since they went to school together. They are often on the same shift but there are times when they work different days.  They have been praised about their skills in caring for difficult patients and during crises. They are both comfortable with aggressive patients and equally good with patients who have severe trauma.  They have worked very well together and have been considered excellent members of and contributors to the ED team. Recently Janice went back to school for advanced education and training. Danny would like to go, as well, but he does not have the time due to family issues. As a result, Janice is often selected as the lead on the shifts she is on and sometimes takes short cuts.  When Danny works with her, he finds that he angers easily and feels that Janice is trying to “boss” him around and maybe do things that might not be right. When Janice isn’t looking he rolls his eyes when she is talking and crosses his arms across his chest.  In meetings, Janice is more verbal now because she feels her new education and training makes her more of an expert.  Sometimes she evens cuts off others with her opinions which has caused many of the team members to become angry and stop talking to her. Last week Danny and Janice were assigned to work together caring for a patient who came into the ED belligerent and yelling. The patient has a history of substance use disorder.  Danny and Janice began disagreeing about what should be done first for this patient in his presence.  As they were talking, the patient became more aggressive.

Mini- Case Study Questions:

1.  What do you think caused the change in Danny and Janice’s behavior and performance? What might be done to improve their current interpersonal relationship?

2.  Which type of non-verbal communication is Danny using? What message is he sending Janice?

3.   What would you recommend Janice do regarding her current behavior with the team and in team meetings?  What might happen to patient care if a team continues to be in conflict?

4. With the patient becoming more aggressive, what would you do next if you were Danny or Janice?