Weekly Discussion by Samantha
Strategic planning involves creating objectives and setting goals for where an organization would like to go for the future, then a plan must be built to achieve these goals. In healthcare, administrators must account for policy changes, advancements in technology, and economic trends that could impact the organization’s operations. Strategic planning can also be used as a tool to measure productivity. Most organizations feel that they are at peak efficiency but doing an analysis can provide insight into where improvements can be made and plans that need to be set into place (Strata Decision Technology, 2022).
As a newly appointed healthcare administrator, I would use the SWOT analysis to develop a strategic plan. The SWOT analysis accounts for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This approach has two important functions: gathering a snapshot of how the organization is currently interacting with the market while comparing the internal capabilities and seeing the direction of the organization. This analysis also identifies opportunities and possible threats that the organization can address in the future. Strategy identification can begin through the SWOT analysis. The information that has been collected can be used to develop strategies to help the organization grow and protect its areas of strength. The strategies that have been identified have to be put into a manageable number and from that tactical implementation plans will result. Through the strategic plan, marketing, operating, and additional supporting plans can be created. The monitoring and control of these plans must be done effectively and consistently (Buchbinder et al., 2021).
When analyzing the medical center, it is important to start with the strengths. An example of the strengths could be that the clinic is in a good location and is accessible to many patients. Also, the medical center has a high success rate and delivers personalized care to every patient. The next step is to analyze the weakness. This could be because the medical center only has a limited number of physicians, patients experience long wait times, or they have a high turnover rate for staff. The next step would be to look at the opportunities for the medical center. For example, providing diagnostic and lab services to other medical practices. Also attracting quality physicians and staff for the medical center and working on retention with the staff. Another opportunity for the medical center could be expanding services to underserved populations and areas. The last step of the analysis is to consider the threats that the medical center could face. The extension of certain services brings complications like challenges with patient communication and efficiency. As well as staff and patient dissatisfaction because of the expansions (Practice Builders, 2017).
As a new health administrator, the steps of the SWOT analysis are important. Identifying the strengths of the medical center allows the administrator to see what is working well. This can be done by talking with staff and receiving their point of view. administrators can also ask themselves, “what inspired these new patients to come to this medical center, or what advantages do we have over other facilities?” It is often difficult to recognize weaknesses within a practice, administrators try to think about how patients perceive the medical center. administrators should ask questions like “what factors cause this medical center to lose patients, or why did this patient come here once and take their care elsewhere?” When trying to maximize efficiency for the organization, potential opportunities need to be considered. Administrators need to ask, “are there any opportunities that can be created to help minimize the weaknesses?” Opportunities can also be created through technological advances, and changes in policies. It is important that administrators are realistic about possible factors that could be viewed as a threat to the medical center. The goals of the medical center must be clearly identified to see the possible threats. Threats are considered any barriers that could potentially get in the way of achieving the goals that have been set in place. Questions like “do our weaknesses threaten the medical center, or is the medical center not up to date with all current technology advances?”
In healthcare, administrators need to recognize that strategic planning is a critical element to the organization’s success.
References
Buchbinder, S. B., Shanks, N. H., & Kite, B. J. (2021). Introduction to health care management. Jones et Bartlett Learning.
How strategic planning benefits hospitals & healthcare systems in 2019. Strata Decision Technology. (2022, March 4). Retrieved November 23, 2022, from https://www.stratadecision.com/healthcare-and-hospital-strategic-planning/
SWOT Analysis in Healthcare: A Self-Exam to Identify Primary Areas of Focus. (2017, April 4). Retrieved November 23, 2022, from https://www.practicebuilders.com/blog/swot-a-self-exam-to-identify-primary-areas-of-focus/.
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