As I close on the last few weeks of my graduate degree program, I finally have some time to produce this podcast once again. I would like to thank all of you that wrote me over the past months asking where I was, checking to be sure I was okay, and for all of the well-wishes you have sent to me. Talk about making a guy who loves technology and operations feel like a rock-star.
This week, I revisit the necessity for all leaders in healthcare to work to improve communications with all of the various stakeholders that we serve. Not only the hospital staff, but our providers, the Board, and yes…our patients. Unfortunately, a recent study suggests that while transparency is taking hold in the healthcare market, technology staff has not embraced the concept to its fullest potential.
A recent Dell survey illustrates some of this disconnect. This study focuses on electronic medical record implementations, but I contest that the concept of open and honest communication of strategy, tactics, and realistic goals expands much further than just how EMRs will be used in healthcare. To see Dell’s report, click here.
The same concept of using your performance data to enlist the assistance of stakeholders whose value as partners is many times overlooked because of the perception of “being too hard to work with”, can be found here. Specifically, this report confirms what we have been talking about on this show for a number of years…the necessity of involving physicians and other professional clinicians in the decision making, design, and implementation of successful solutions. To clarify, I’m not just talking about technology solutions, but process re-engineering solutions as well.
I graduate from Colorado State on April 16th. I promise, I will strive to deliver more timely podcasts once I complete this program.
As always, I welcome your comments either here on the blog, or by emailing me directly at spencer@itpodcast.org.
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