Change Management in Healthcare: 3 Key Points to Consider

Change management in healthcare has always been complex, but the challenges have intensified since the pandemic. The industry is evolving rapidly, requiring healthcare organizations to adapt and innovate continuously.

Enduring change isn’t just about going through the motions. It involves strategically planning, implementing, and managing the complexities of transformation. The key to survival in this environment is to accept, adapt, and evolve. Unfortunately, many change management efforts fail due to poor planning, ineffective implementation, system incompatibility, and flawed process design.

In this article, we'll explore what change management in healthcare entails and the methods that can be employed to implement it effectively. We’ll also delve into how to manage change efficiently within the healthcare sector.

What Is Change Management in Healthcare?

Change management in healthcare is the process of enabling people through innovation and fostering a new way of thinking. It aims to introduce new practices and improve care delivery models, ultimately reducing the strain on healthcare infrastructure and professionals while ensuring reliable care for patients.

Implementing Change Management in Healthcare Using the Kotter 8-Step Model

To create effective change management strategies, healthcare organizations need a robust model to guide them. The Kotter 8-Step Model is an excellent framework for this purpose:

1. Identify the ‘Why’ Behind the Change: Understand the reasons driving the need for change.
2. Communicate and Engage with All Stakeholders: Ensure everyone is informed and involved.
3. Create a Plan to Drive Change: Develop a clear, actionable strategy.
4. Collaborate with Internal Stakeholders: Work closely with all departments to realize the plan.
5. Implement the Change: Execute the plan effectively.
6. Measure the Outcomes: Assess the impact of the change.
7. Align the Strategy with the New Organizational Vision: Ensure the change supports long-term goals.
8. Ensure Long-Term Impact by Regularly Improving: Continuously refine the changes to maintain effectiveness.

How to Manage Change in Healthcare

1. Effectively Communicating the Change

Poor communication is one of the primary reasons change management efforts fail. In healthcare, where multiple stakeholders are involved, it’s crucial to set clear expectations from the start. Whether it’s a C-level executive, a mid-level manager, or a nurse, each must understand their role in the change process.

Buy-in across the organization is vital and can be achieved when everyone understands the value they bring to the table and the benefits they can gain. Engaging employees by seeking their input can significantly enhance the success of change initiatives.

Traditional communication methods like emails may not be sufficient, given that the average open rate in the healthcare sector is just 21.72%. Instead, using platforms regularly accessed by employees, such as in-app notifications, can be more effective. These notifications can include videos or web pages that provide updates on the change process, keeping everyone aligned. Surveys can also be integrated into these notifications to track progress and address issues.

2. Creating an Integrated Experience

In recent years, many industries have prioritized creating a unified experience for employees and consumers, and healthcare should follow suit. Patients now expect to access their health data easily and monitor key indicators using devices like the Apple Watch.

Healthcare employees, on the other hand, seek to minimize the number of applications they use and desire a seamless transition between systems. They need centralized data hubs to make informed decisions based on patient, workforce, and inventory information.

3. Enabling Digital Adoption During Change

The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of new technologies and processes in healthcare. Professionals have had to adapt quickly, often using applications like medical database software, e-prescribing tools, and equipment management systems. However, managing these various applications can be challenging, especially for new employees.

Traditional training methods may not be feasible when time is of the essence. This is where Digital Adoption Platforms (DAPs) come into play. DAPs can train employees on any web-based application in a matter of hours, guiding them step-by-step and across platforms, ensuring they can complete tasks efficiently.

Conclusion

Driving change in healthcare is a complex process. Success requires strategic planning, clear communication, effective training, and a readiness to adapt to unforeseen challenges.

One of the biggest obstacles to successful change is poor digital adoption, which can lead to low task completion and, ultimately, failed initiatives. This can be mitigated by using a Digital Adoption Platform like Apty, which empowers employees to fully utilize applications and achieve their objectives.

This post originally appeared on Apty.io/blogs. To read the full article and learn more about Driving Digital Transformation Through Software Adoption and how Apty provides Value Realization to all organizations, click here.