The Ebola Virus Reminds Us of the Impact of Globalization

By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, FAAN

In 2005, author Thomas Friedman wrote a book titled The World is Flat. In this book, Friedman describes how the rapid changes with globalization have led to a world where we are very interdependent on one another. He called for a reality check as we explore the manner in which countries and societies will cope with and adapt to the dramatic changes that globalization has brought in the way we do business, as individuals and entities. Globalization has impacted every industry including healthcare. Nursing leadership challenges such as staffing, competency development, aging populations, reduced healthcare funding and maintaining quality are now common global problems. The recent issues with the Ebola virus are a wake-up call that nurse leaders adopt more of a worldview as they look at challenging healthcare situations.

In 2007, the World Health Organization identified a framework composed of six building blocks to promote a common understanding of what a health system is and what constitutes health systems strengthening. The six building blocks are: service delivery; health workforce; information, medical products; vaccines and technologies; financing and leadership and governance. It was noted in the report that there are great disparities between developed and developing countries in each of the six building blocks. We are seeing this play out today in West Africa with the outbreak of the Ebola Virus – the first major global health crisis since HIV/AIDS. To date, the BBC has reported that the outbreak has killed more than 3,860 people, mainly in West Africa but we now have our first death in the US and first infection of a nurse caring for him. More than 200 health workers are among the victims. The World Health Organization called the outbreak “unparalleled in modern times” and warned that up to 20,000 people could be infected in the coming months.

Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea – the three countries most affected by Ebola have neither the healthcare staff or medical equipment needed to deal with the crisis. Healthcare workers are at serious risk if they treat patients without having the right equipment to avoid infection. Currently the CDC is training and deploying physician and nursing staff to Africa to help with the crisis. Up until a few weeks ago, few healthcare leaders were focused on potential issues with Ebola in the United States but this has now changed. Hospitals across the United States are now training staff to help with early detection of Ebola and the health precautions needed if there is suspicion of the disease. Ebola screening is being initiated at the five major international airports where travelers from the three West African countries are most likely to enter.

The Ebola Virus is an important reminder for nurse leaders that watching what is happening globally with healthcare challenges should be part of what Tim Porter O’Grady describes as leadership signposts or symbols of potential reality in play.

Read to Lead

Porter-O’Grady, T. & Malloch, K. Quantum Leadership (4th Edition), Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett.