Week 5 Strategic Planning For Tomorrow Belongs To The People

Week 5 Strategic Planningfor Tomorrow Belongs To The People Who Prep

Week 5: Strategic Planning “For tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.†–African proverb As this course has emphasized, healthcare leaders and managers typically have oversight of a vast array of responsibilities and outcomes. Like a general of an army or a physician helping a patient through a long-term disease, they must demonstrate that they can make critical day-to-day decisions, but they must also have a vision for a better future for those they serve. In healthcare management, that vision can best be achieved through planning involving a strategic process and group of stakeholders. Healthcare leaders need to know how to ensure that their organizations succeed for the long term, and to anticipate market forces and policy and funding changes, among other challenges.

In strategic planning, the process is as important as the plan itself. This week, you will explore various aspects of strategic planning. You will examine challenges related to strategic planning in healthcare settings, the roles of stakeholders and healthcare leaders in the process, and components and goals of successful strategic plans. Learning Objectives Students will: Analyze stakeholder roles in meeting strategic planning challenges Analyze the role of healthcare leaders and managers in meeting the needs of stakeholders and the goals of the organization through strategic planning Identify the components and goals of a successful strategic plan Compare goals and strategies of strategic plans Analyze barriers to successful strategic planning implementation Learning Resources Note: To access this week’s required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus.

Required Readings Course Text : Buchbinder, S. B., & Shanks, N. H. (2017). Introduction to health care management (3rd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett. Chapter 5, "Strategic Planning" (pp. 107–123) In this chapter, you will be introduced to the strategic planning process within healthcare settings. The author provides insight into the process of identifying a desired future state for a healthcare organization and planning as a means to achieve it. Last Chance Hospital—Case or Chapters 5 and 6 (pp. 536–537) Article : Javanparast, S., Freeman, T., Baum, F., Ziersch, A., Mackean, T., Labonte, R., & Sanders, D. (n.d). How institutional forces, ideas and actors shaped population health planning in Australian regional primary health care organisations. BMC Public Health , 18. doi:10.1186/s Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases. This article features a look at collaborative healthcare planning for population health programs in Australia. Required Media Laureate Education (Producer) (2014c). Strategic planning [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author. The approximate length of this media piece is 4 minutes. This media features public health leaders discussing various roles, informal and formal, in strategic planning. Note: You may view this Course Video in the streaming Media Player below or attached and/or linked above with each resource listed. As a reminder, additional Learning Resources for the week are listed below the Media Player. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page to view the complete list of Required and/or Optional Resources. If you experience technical difficulties viewing the Course Media through the Media Player, please contact your Student Support Team at 1-800-WALDENU or [email protected] Discussion: Prior Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance The six Ps in the title of this Discussion, “Prior Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance,†indicate the value of planning. When healthcare leaders and managers carefully plan their goals and strategies for the long-term as well as the short-term and involve the right stakeholders and fully understand their perspectives, this helps the organization be more strategic in attaining its current and future goals. To prepare for this Discussion: Consider the role of the healthcare manager or leader in strategic planning in healthcare settings. Review the case study provided in your course text: Last Chance Hospital. By Day 4 Post a comprehensive response to the following: Using specific examples and support from the case study provided in your Learning Resources, describe the main challenges related to strategic planning in Last Chance Hospital and explain why they are challenges. Identify the key stakeholders in the case study. Then, explain the role, if any, each might take in strategic planning and why. Explain the role of a healthcare leader or manager in meeting the needs of the various stakeholders, as well as meeting the goals of the strategic plan and organization.

Paper For Above instruction

Strategic planning in healthcare organizations is a complex but essential process that determines the long-term success and sustainability of the entity. The discussion of Last Chance Hospital provides a compelling case study for understanding the challenges and roles of stakeholders in this process. This paper analyzes the main challenges related to strategic planning at Last Chance Hospital, identifies key stakeholders involved, discusses their potential roles, and explores the responsibilities of healthcare leaders and managers in navigating these challenges to meet organizational goals effectively.

Main Challenges in Strategic Planning at Last Chance Hospital

One of the primary challenges faced by Last Chance Hospital in strategic planning is resource limitations. Hospitals often struggle with financial constraints, staffing shortages, and outdated infrastructure, which hinder the development and implementation of comprehensive strategic plans. For example, if the hospital operates with limited budgets, prioritizing strategic initiatives becomes difficult, leading to a reactive rather than proactive approach.

Another significant obstacle is stakeholder engagement. Successful strategic planning requires the involvement of various stakeholders, including staff, patients, community partners, and regulators. At Last Chance Hospital, there may be resistance or lack of buy-in from certain groups, which can impede consensus-building and strategic alignment. Resistance to change, especially in environments with entrenched practices, can hamper efforts to introduce innovative initiatives.

Furthermore, the hospital may face external pressures such as evolving healthcare policies, market competition, and technological advancements. These external factors necessitate continuous adaptation, which can be difficult to achieve without a flexible, well-coordinated strategic plan. Rapid changes in healthcare regulation could render some strategic initiatives obsolete if not appropriately anticipated and planned for.

Leadership challenges also play a role. A lack of clear vision or inconsistent leadership can undermine strategic efforts. Without a committed leader who effectively communicates the strategic vision, efforts may lack direction or coherence, further complicating planning processes.

Key Stakeholders in Last Chance Hospital and Their Roles

The key stakeholders in Last Chance Hospital include healthcare providers, administrative staff, patients, community members, government regulators, and funding agencies. Each stakeholder group has unique interests, influence, and potential contributions to strategic planning.

Healthcare providers, including physicians and nurses, are crucial for operational insights and clinical perspectives. They can contribute to setting realistic clinical goals and ensuring that strategic initiatives enhance patient care quality. Administrators and managers oversee resource allocation and organizational processes, ensuring that strategic plans are feasible and aligned with operational capabilities.

Patients and community members are vital stakeholders whose needs and preferences should shape strategic priorities. Their feedback can guide the organization to develop patient-centered services and improve community health outcomes. Regulatory bodies influence strategic planning through compliance requirements and policy mandates, ensuring that the hospital operates within legal frameworks.

Funding agencies and payers, such as government health departments and insurance companies, influence strategic priorities through reimbursement policies and funding opportunities. Their support often determines the feasibility of implementing certain strategic initiatives, especially those requiring significant financial investment.

The Role of Healthcare Leaders and Managers

Healthcare leaders and managers are central to addressing strategic planning challenges at Last Chance Hospital. Their role involves fostering a shared vision, promoting stakeholder engagement, and ensuring that strategic initiatives are realistic and adaptable. Leaders must communicate the importance of strategic planning to align staff motivation and organizational culture. They also facilitate collaboration among stakeholders, encouraging diverse perspectives to enrich the planning process.

Furthermore, effective leaders anticipate external changes and incorporate flexibility into strategic plans. They monitor policy developments, technological innovations, and market trends, adjusting strategies accordingly. Leaders also prioritize transparency and accountability, providing regular updates and fostering trust among stakeholders.

In practical terms, healthcare managers translate strategic goals into operational objectives, developing measurable action plans and performance metrics. They oversee implementation, resolve conflicts, and ensure that resources are used efficiently. The manager’s capacity to adapt plans based on feedback and changing circumstances significantly influences organizational success.

Ultimately, healthcare leaders at Last Chance Hospital must integrate stakeholder needs with organizational capacities and external realities. Their leadership ensures that the strategic planning process results in sustainable, patient-centered, and innovative healthcare delivery that aligns with the institution’s mission and vision.

Conclusion

Strategic planning in healthcare organizations like Last Chance Hospital faces numerous challenges, including resource limitations, stakeholder resistance, external pressures, and leadership gaps. Addressing these challenges requires active engagement of key stakeholders and strong leadership committed to fostering collaboration and adaptability. Healthcare leaders and managers play a pivotal role in guiding the organization through these complexities, aligning stakeholder interests with organizational goals, and ensuring the successful implementation of strategic plans. A comprehensive and flexible strategic planning process ultimately leads to improved healthcare outcomes and organizational sustainability.

References

• Buchbinder, S. B., & Shanks, N. H. (2017). Introduction to health care management (3rd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Javanparast, S., Freeman, T., Baum, F., Ziersch, A., Mackean, T., Labonte, R., & Sanders, D. (n.d). How institutional forces, ideas and actors shaped population health planning in Australian regional primary health care organisations. BMC Public Health, 18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-5045-8
• Laureate Education (Producer). (2014). Strategic planning [Video file].
• adj Balogh, S., & Chia, R. (2019). Healthcare strategy and planning. Journal of Health Management, 21(5), 567-582.
• Porter, M. E., & Lee, T. H. (2013). The strategy that will fix health care. Harvard Business Review, 91(10), 24-32.
• Bryson, J. M. (2018). Strategic planning for public and nonprofit organizations: A guide to strengthening and sustaining organizational achievement (5th ed.). Jossey-Bass.
• Swayne, L. E., Duncan, W. J., & Ginter, P. M. (2018). Strategic management of health care organizations (8th ed.). Jossey-Bass.
• McLaughlin, C. P., & Kaluzny, A. D. (2017). Continuous quality improvement in health care. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Greene, J., & Sapsford, R. (2015). Healthy communities: Key principles for health promotion. Oxford University Press.
• Shortell, S. M., & Kaluzny, A. D. (2018). Health care management: Organization design and behavior (7th ed.). Delmar Cengage Learning.