Hospital System For Dropbox Assignment Please Read Pages 6
Hospital Systemfor Thisdropboxassignment Please Read Pages 692 716 C
Hospital System for this Dropbox assignment, please read pages (Case 14) of the course textbook Strategic Management in Health Care Organizations. In these pages, the Jefferson Hospital System (JHS) is described. JHS consists of a full-service, acute-care hospital (Cooper Green Hospital), specialty outpatient clinics (Jefferson Outpatient Care), and six satellite, primary care clinics (the Community Care Plan). With these components, JHS provides a full spectrum of medical care and a choice of two affordable payment options for what is considered to be an underserved population. Create a 2- to 3-page report in Microsoft Word document that answers the following questions.
Why do you think the components of this system are underutilized? (Please note that this is not just a problem of poor marketing and communication.) What would you do to increase the utilization of these services and attract a greater mix of paying patients? State at least four steps or actions you would take for this.
Paper For Above instruction
The Jefferson Hospital System (JHS), as described in Case 14 of the textbook Strategic Management in Health Care Organizations, aims to deliver comprehensive healthcare services to an underserved population through a combination of an acute-care hospital, outpatient clinics, and satellite primary care centers. Despite its strategic design, the system experiences low utilization of its components. Understanding the underlying causes of this underutilization and proposing effective strategies to enhance service usage and diversify the payer mix are essential for improving the system's financial health and community impact.
Reasons for Underutilization of the Components
Several factors contribute to the underuse of JHS components beyond marketing and communication issues. Firstly, the population served by JHS may face social determinants of health that hinder access, such as transportation barriers, socioeconomic disadvantages, and limited health literacy (Anderson et al., 2018). Even if aware of the services, patients may struggle to reach or navigate the system effectively. Secondly, cultural and trust barriers may play a significant role. Marginalized populations sometimes harbor distrust towards healthcare institutions due to historical disparities, leading to reluctance in seeking care (Saha et al., 2017). Thirdly, perceived quality concerns, such as long wait times or previous negative experiences, can discourage utilization. Fourth, operational challenges within the healthcare system, such as limited hours of service, staff shortages, or complex appointment processes, can reduce patient engagement (Gonzalez et al., 2019). Lastly, the economic model, which offers two affordable payment options, might inadvertently limit the perceived value of services or fail to motivate patients to seek care proactively.
Strategies to Increase Utilization and Attract Greater Payer Diversity
To address these issues and improve utilization, a multifaceted approach is recommended. The following four actions are vital:
1. Enhance Community Engagement and Outreach Programs
Building trust and awareness requires active engagement with community leaders, local organizations, and faith-based groups. Programs such as health fairs, educational workshops, and mobile clinics can raise awareness about the available services (Brown et al., 2020). Culturally tailored outreach initiatives that involve community members in planning and delivery can improve acceptance and trust.
2. Improve Accessibility and Convenience
Operational modifications like extending clinic hours, offering transportation services, and simplifying appointment scheduling can reduce barriers. Incorporating telehealth options for follow-up care and minor consultations can also increase access, especially for those unable to physically reach the facilities (Shahid et al., 2021). Making services more accessible decreases logistical hurdles that often deter utilization.
3. Strengthen Cultural Competence and Trust-Building Efforts
Implementing cultural competency training for staff ensures respectful and responsive patient interactions. Hiring bilingual staff and employing community health workers from similar backgrounds can foster trust. Building long-term relationships with the community encourages ongoing engagement and utilization of services (Beach et al., 2019).
4. Integrate Preventive and Chronic Disease Management Programs
Introducing targeted programs focusing on preventive care and chronic disease management can demonstrate value and improve health outcomes. Such initiatives can attract patients seeking proactive health management and prevent costly emergency visits, aligning with community health needs (Davis et al., 2018). Billing strategies and insurance partnerships should be optimized to attract a more diverse payer mix, including commercial insurers and Medicaid.
Conclusion
The underutilization of JHS components results from complex social, operational, and perceptual barriers rather than merely communication issues. A strategic approach emphasizing community involvement, accessibility, cultural competence, and preventive care can significantly boost service utilization. These efforts, coupled with targeted marketing and payer engagement, will help diversify the patient base and enhance the financial stability of the Jefferson Hospital System.
References
Anderson, L. M., Davidson, N., & Lee, S. (2018). Social determinants of health and healthcare utilization among underserved populations. Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice, 11(2), 45-60.
Beach, M. C., Saha, S., & Cooper, L. A. (2019). The role of cultural competence in healthcare quality and patient safety. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 55(4), 445-451.
Brown, A. F., Crawford, P. W., & Westfall, J. M. (2020). Community engagement in health promotion. Public Health Reports, 135(2), 150-161.
Davis, M. M., Wolfson, J., & Hunt, R. E. (2018). Preventive care and chronic disease management: Strategies for underserved populations. American Journal of Managed Care, 24(12), e350-e357.
Gonzalez, M., Pappas, G., & Taylor, N. (2019). Operational challenges in community clinics and strategies for improvement. Healthcare Management Review, 44(3), 223-231.
Saha, S., Beach, M. C., & Cooper, L. A. (2017). Patient trust in physicians and health care quality. Medical Care Research and Review, 66(4), 385-404.
Shahid, S., Kass, J., & Basu, S. (2021). Telehealth innovations to improve access in underserved populations. Telemedicine and e-Health, 27(4), 345-352.