Healthcare Landscape
It has been highly publicized that the healthcare industry in general is quickly evolving on many different levels that include technological progress, administrative efficiencies, as well as the regulatory and political environment. One of the considerations that should be on the forefront of a series of reforms should be how to create value and improve quality in what could be considered an incredibly dynamic healthcare industry. Many of the competencies that are involved in adapting to the new environment are largely multidisciplinary and include some of the best practices from strategic management, financial management, project management, and human resources as well as several others fields. For example, many of technologies have offered new levels of treatment that were previously thought unimaginable. However, at the same time, there are massive levels of inequality present in the system and there are many individuals who are still basically excluded from receiving basic care. This analysis will look at some of the current challenges that the healthcare industry faces as well as discuss some of the shifts that are taking in the industry.
Current Challenges
There are several levels into which to view that challenges that have manifested within the system: (a) the macro level where policy is established by governments, health authorities, insurance plans, etc.; (b) the meso level where organizational budgets are established by organizational administrators; and (c) the micro level where care is delivered by clinician providers (Jones, 2015). On a national level, the politics and the economy of a nation often dictate the healthcare system and the United States is only slowly progressing towards a more inclusive system that provides expanded access to its citizens.
By contrast,...
One of the primary advantages that public funded systems can gain through this type of
structure, is that it is easier to focus more on preventative care, such as
wellness and prevention. It is often the case that wellness and prevention programs are good investments for the
society by virtually any measure, from financial to outcomes. However, in a for-profit system the incentive rests more in the treatment of acute cases as there are often significantly greater opportunities to produce a return on
investment as compared to preventative measures that are far less costly.
All healthcare organizations are required to a greater or lesser extent to deliver broad access to
health services that continuously improve quality of care provided while simultaneously control costs and increasing the level of
competition in the industry is often cited as a means to which this end can be achieved (Dash & Meredith, 2010). However, in regards to creating value in reference to
public health, it is important to look at this from different perspectives and not just the perspective of the
investors who typically mostly interested in financial returns. Organizations must decide to allocate their assets selectively in the face of limited resources, which can usher in many
ethical challenges on a day-to-day basis from every level that is involved in the process. For example, it is not only the nation that must make decisions about how to fund national programs, but often doctors and
nurses must also make judgements about where best to allocate their time consistent with their professional values and their organizational objectives.
Healthcare Evolution
The idea that healthcare must ration some of its services often gets negative publicity for the images of grandmothers facing death panels in the
media. However, in many cases it is a necessity as there simply isn't…
