Change in the Healthcare Industry
Change is an unavoidable aspect of human life. Individuals and organizations experience changes as a result of technological advancements, dwindling natural resource endowments, social progress, rivalry, and a desire for expansion. The need to achieve a competitive advantage in an open market is driving organizations to make modifications in many business aspects in order to maintain their uniqueness. For entrepreneurs seeking development and profitability, the healthcare business is becoming a popular investment destination. Many people are able to focus on healthy living because of global economic stability. Lifestyle diseases resulting from exposures to technology reduced physical activities and environmental degradation is creating an upsurge in the demand for healthcare services. Several aspects in the healthcare industry have seen tremendous change in the past. Facts and figures in the healthcare industry point out towards imminent and existing trends and challenges that have brought change in the healthcare industry.
The Process of Change
In the book, ‘Our Iceberg is melting’, the authors; John Kotter and Holger Rathgeber articulates the various aspects characterizing change. Change can take a different form but the process involved in realizing and responding to change is almost universal across all fields. The authors of ‘Our Iceberg is melting’ personify various animals in a habitat facing a problem to depict the real problems people face in organizations. The melting iceberg is an imminent problem and a threat to the future of the penguins in the book realized by an individual. The penguin community had to come together and find a solution. Just like normal organizations, leadership structure is portrayed with various characters accepting the problem and embracing change while also an element of laxity and resistance to change is depicted. Change is a process that involves realization of a problem, focusing a team to analyze the problem, coming up with a strategy, and communicating the problem and the strategy to the respective stakeholders. The actual implementation of change involved removing imminent obstacles, producing results, sticking to the strategy until the solution is achieved and finally correcting deviations emanating from traditions. The changing nature of healthcare sector has led to change (Kotter, & Rathgeber, 2016).
Technological Advancements in Healthcare
Technological changes are transforming the nature of healthcare. Several technological advancements are being developed to enhance service delivery in the healthcare sector. Wearable tracking devices are becoming common as healthcare providers seek to monitor the health status of their clients from a remote set up. Healthcare tracking devices focus on a patient’s sleep pattern, physical activity, calorie consumption and mental state. Patient care is improving as healthcare facilities embark on technology to allow quick response to health instability of patients and thus save lives (In Grando, et al, 2015). Information technology is also taking over the healthcare industry. The use of websites by healthcare organizations is allowing patients to get information on services and prices offered by healthcare service providers. Also, information on various personal healthcare interventions is being provided through websites and social media platforms (Glandon, 2014). Information sharing and data security among healthcare partners is being enhanced through information management systems that are backed by information technology systems (Richins, 2015).
Financial Viability in Healthcare
Financial viability is taking center stage in the operations of many healthcare organizations. Healthcare facilities are now focusing on profitability, sustainable growth and market share management. Prudent financial models, expansion plans, cost management and quality of services is shaping the financial strategies of healthcare facilities. Both the profit-oriented and the nonprofit healthcare facilities are focusing on financial viability to ensure that clients get the value of their money. The need for financial stability among healthcare providers is a requirement by the law to ensure that the credibility of the sensitive sector is upheld. Prospective payment systems in many healthcare facilities for inpatient and outpatient services have allowed prudent financial management (Suchman, et al, 2011). Healthcare facilities are subject to credit rating. Investors and patients always prefer services from financially stable facilities. The changing financial perspective in the healthcare industry is transforming healthcare facilities to accommodate value based services and purchases.
Population Healthcare Management and Stakeholder Collaboration
Healthcare is changing in the perspective on population healthcare management and stakeholder collaboration. Private and public healthcare facilities are focusing on the provision of population-based healthcare services through population outreach programs. The population healthcare management can be seen as part of community service responsibility by healthcare facilities and also as a means of expanding market share. Population healthcare management is structured to identify various groups for health service provision. Healthcare providers and governments are embarking on population enlightenment programs through workshops, door-to-door approach, and seminars (Suchman, et al, 2011). Population healthcare management is meant at increasing the healthcare service provider knowledge about the population in order to provide client-specific services. Surveys and research programs are common among healthcare providers as they seek to enhance population healthcare management. Governments have seen the need to collaborate with healthcare providers in the provision of healthcare services. Government-sponsored health programs are being provided in private facilities as collaboration in the healthcare sector improves (Valaitis, & Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement, 2013).
Conclusion
The changes in the healthcare sector are quite visible. The focus on technology and profitability are the driving factors of change in the healthcare industry. Stakeholders in the healthcare industry are seeking for diverse ways to ensure that efficient service delivery is attained at the lowest cost possible. Also, the changing nature of the business environment is driving healthcare facilities to adopt change. Consumption patterns are shifting and healthcare facilities need to develop consumer-specific healthcare services.
References
Glandon, G. L., Smaltz, D. H., & Slovensky, D. J. (2014). Information systems for healthcare management. Chicago, IL: health Administration Press, 2014
In Grando, M. A., In Rozenblum, R., & In Bates, D. W. (2015). Information technology for patient empowerment in healthcare. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG.2015
Kotter, J. P., & Rathgeber, H. (2016). Our iceberg is melting: Changing and succeeding under any conditions. New York, New York: Portfolio/Penguin, 2016
Richins, S. (2015). Emerging technologies in healthcare. Boca Raton: CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, 2015.
Suchman, A. L., Sluyter, D. J., & Williamson, P. R. (2011). Leading changes in healthcare: Transforming organizations using complexity, positive psychology, and relationship-centered care. London: Radcliffe Pub.2011
Valaitis, R. K., & Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement. (2013). Strengthening primary health care through primary care and public health collaboration: Final report for CFHI. Ottawa, Ont: Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement. Ottawa, Ont: Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement, 2012.
