Within the last 10 years, the health care industry has seen big changes, not only in philosophy but also with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. There have been changes in political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental factors that influence strategic planning. Americans desire increased quality patient care, wellness, and prevention programs. Health care organizations are seeing changes in volume and demographics related to their patients, along with labor and technologies related to the health care organization.
select a health care organization from the following list:
St. David's HealthcareLinks to an external site.
American Academy of PediatricsLinks to an external site.
Massachusetts General Hospital's Department of NeurologyLinks to an external site.
Imagine you have been selected by the facility's executive committee to develop a strategic plan that aligns with the organization's mission and vision. Use critical thinking skills and research current events of your chosen organization to prepare your assignment.
Write an 8-10 page strategic plan. Your plan must include the elements listed below. Note that the instructions correspond to the grading criteria for this assignment. You may also want to review the performance-level descriptions for each criterion in the scoring guide to see how your work will be assessed:
Differentiate between strategic management, strategic thinking, strategic planning, and managing strategic momentum.
Propose one specific analytical tool suitable for use as an adaptive strategy that will be the most effective in helping an organization achieve its strategic plan.
Propose the manner and provide an example of how the selected analytical tool will be used to support the strategic proposal.
Research three internal and three external factors that could become barriers to the success of the proposed strategic plan.
Recommend at least one solution to each of the possible barriers to implementing your proposed strategic plan.
Determine the specific segment of the market that your organization's strategic plan will target.
Full Answer Section
Adaptive Strategy and Analytical Tool:
- Consider "Scenario Planning" as your adaptive strategy. It helps explore multiple possible future scenarios based on different developments in the healthcare landscape.
- Example: Use scenario planning to assess the impact of potential changes in insurance reimbursement policies, technological advancements in diagnostics, or demographic shifts on your chosen organization's strategic goals.
Internal and External Barriers:
Internal:
- Resistance to change from staff or stakeholders.
- Lack of resources or capabilities within the organization.
- Ineffective communication and collaboration among departments.
External:
- New government regulations or changes in healthcare policies.
- Competition from other healthcare providers.
- Economic fluctuations affecting patient volume or financial stability.
Solutions to Barriers:
- Develop comprehensive change management strategies and engage stakeholders in the planning process.
- Invest in training and development programs to enhance staff capabilities.
- Foster a culture of open communication and collaboration across departments.
- Monitor regulations and proactively adapt strategies to comply with new requirements.
- Conduct competitive analysis and differentiate your services to attract patients.
- Develop financial contingency plans to manage economic uncertainties.
Market Segmentation:
Identify the specific segment of the population your organization will target based on your chosen focus:
- St. David's Healthcare: Consider factors like geographic location, age demographics, insurance coverage, or specific health needs.
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Target children and families by focusing on preventive care, childhood chronic illnesses, or developmental needs.
- Massachusetts General Hospital's Department of Neurology: Focus on the specific neurological conditions your department specializes in, patient populations with complex neurological needs, or geographical catchment areas.
Remember:
- Research current events and specific challenges your chosen organization faces.
- Tailor your strategic plan to their unique mission, vision, and strengths.
- Clearly define SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) for your plan.
- Develop actionable strategies and tactics to achieve those goals.
- Regularly monitor progress and adapt your plan as needed based on internal and external changes.
By employing this framework and adapting it to your chosen organization, you can develop a compelling and effective strategic plan that aligns with the evolving healthcare landscape and drives success for your chosen organization.