Competitive analysis of healthcare organizations

Choose two of the same types of healthcare facilities in your area (hospitals, long-term care, rehab, surgicenters, etc.)

  • What are the mission/vision/value statements for each?
  • Search the websites/written materials, marketing products, etc. to obtain important information for the analysis
  • Are they indirect or direct competitors?
  • Conduct research on both (include: range of services, profitability, years in business, customer view of positives and negatives, marketing strategy, customer ratings)
  • Gather competitive information (is one growing and the other contracting, is one much larger than the other)
  • Look for annual reports (often published on the primary web site)
  • Use a simple two-column chart to gather your data
  • Summarize which of the two would appear to be a stronger competitor and on what basis you make that determination
  • How might you use this competitor information in your own strategic planning?

Full Answer Section

     
y Not publicly available, but website showcases new facility expansion, suggesting growth.
Years in Business Established 1950 Established 1985
Customer Reviews (Positives) Praises state-of-the-art technology, skilled specialists, and clean facilities. Highlights friendly staff, personalized attention, and short wait times.
Customer Reviews (Negatives) Mentions long wait times in the emergency department and difficulty scheduling appointments with specific doctors. Limited service range compared to larger hospitals.
Marketing Strategy Emphasizes advanced technology, team of renowned specialists, and commitment to research. Focuses on patient experience, convenience, and community outreach programs.
Customer Ratings 4.2 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews 4.7 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews
Competitive Information Mercy General is a larger, established institution with a wider range of services and potentially higher patient volume. Hope Community is experiencing positive customer reviews and may be growing its patient base.
Annual Reports Not found on Mercy General's website, may require paid access. Not available on Hope Community's website.

Summary:

Mercy General appears to be the stronger competitor based on:

  • Established reputation and wider range of services.
  • Potential for higher profitability due to larger patient volume.
  • Investment in cutting-edge technology and specialist teams.

However, Hope Community has its strengths:

  • Excellent customer reviews highlighting a positive patient experience.
  • Potential for growth by attracting patients seeking personalized care and shorter wait times.

Strategic Planning with Competitor Information:

  • Mercy General: Can leverage its strengths in technology and specialists to attract patients seeking complex care.
  • Hope Community: Can differentiate itself by focusing on patient experience, convenience, and potentially lower costs compared to larger hospitals.

Understanding competitor strengths and weaknesses allows both hospitals to refine their strategies. Mercy General can address patient concerns about wait times, while Hope Community can explore expanding services to cater to a broader range of needs.

Limitations:

This analysis relies on publicly available information and may not capture the full picture. Financial data from annual reports could provide a more complete understanding of profitability.

Remember, this is a sample analysis. You can replace the hospital names with any two healthcare facilities of your choice and follow the same format to gather competitive intelligence.

Sample Answer

     

Let's analyze two local hospitals, Mercy General Hospital and Hope Community Hospital, to understand their competitive landscape.

Information Gathering:

Metric Mercy General Hospital Hope Community Hospital
Mission To provide exceptional healthcare services to the community with compassion, innovation, and excellence. To deliver high-quality, patient-centered care in a welcoming and comfortable environment.
Vision To be the leading healthcare provider in the region, renowned for clinical expertise and cutting-edge technology. To be a trusted healthcare partner, fostering a healthier community through personalized care.
Values Compassion, Excellence, Innovation, Collaboration, and Integrity. Quality, Patient Focus, Respect, Teamwork, and Community Service.
Range of Services Comprehensive, including cardiac care, oncology, pediatrics, orthopedics, neurosciences, and emergency services. Focuses on general medicine, surgery, women's health, orthopedics, and urgent care.