Strategic Planning and Evaluation of an Organization - Health Care Sector - Research Paper Example

Strategic Planning and Evaluation of an Organization Strategic Planning and Evaluation of an Organization Introduction Times have indeed changed, and this has become evident in the manner in which health care organization’s run their business. Better and improved services are being delivered to many that seek these services. Health care providers receive enough pay from their governments to provide quality healthcare service to a majority of people. The introduction of health care plans has also led to the promise by medical practitioners to help those with different problems. These problems mostly emanate from poverty, and sometimes traditions. Medical covers ensure that individuals get treatment for illnesses (Daly, 2009). This is if they pay a monthly or yearly fee as agreed upon in their specified agreements. The strategic planning and evaluation that exists in many of these health care programs ensures that an organization performs as per its standards. This paper will review some of the ways planning and evaluation in some organizations has led to the growth of the health care sector. Indian Health Services In the U.S. IHS, successful entrepreneurs have made it their business to ensure that more than a million Native Americans receive proper health care services. Health care providers are making innovations that can help people access proper medical care. This is with the introduction of certain health practises into the health care programs (Daly, 2009). There has been a substantial improvement in the way health practitioners carry about their business. It is such confidence that has put the IHS on the map. There have been innovations that have been successful among the IHS. Traditional use of medicine is one of the ways in which it has grown. Patients among the Native Americans and Indians with heart problems are cared for with the progress in treatment. It is such practice that has enabled IHS to have one of the most revered medical practices in the United States. Innovation does not necessarily mean adopting or buying fancy technological equipment (McKenzie et al, 2011). The costs, as many IHS health practitioners suggest, do not justify the benefits. This has led to creativity in health care provision. Surgeons have invented techniques that were once considered ridiculous. Supervision and training in the medical field is leading to considerable improvement in today’s medical field. Internship programs ensure that medical students are capable of handling all the pressure that comes with being in the field. Mentorship programs are also responsible for ensuring that they do get the necessary guidance concerning the career choice, or path they take (McKenzie et al, 2011). The U.S. Indian health service strategic plan is based on an assessment of the entire health care system surrounding, in which it operates. In the assessment, different areas of concern are being checked into to ensure growth of the IHS is possible. One of the areas is the cost of health care. Growth can only be assured if there is the availability of patients, and workforce. Ensuring that these two essential elements exist, the growth of the health care sector is ensured. In light of this, the IHS is keen to guarantee that there is workforce availability at all times (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2011). Its adequacy should also be guaranteed as there is no point in having a workforce that does not deliver. This is in terms of the provision of service, and product analysis. The Indian Health System is keen to broaden its performance based culture. This is another assessment that they are hoping to capitalize on. In the event that they do not do this, they run the risk of failing in delivering quality health care. This may, in turn, make society and the nation to lose faith in their health care system. They are keen to increase the innovative sector more than it has already (Daly, 2009). Innovative models are on the top of that list. As earlier pointed out, it is not just about the most expensive equipment. The strategic plan is capable of offering society, and the nation culturally relevant, and proactive response to the goals that are set for/by them (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2011). The goals are meant to spearhead the awareness of good, physical, mental, and social health. The IHS has strategic goals that it has set in order to realise the possibility of having a health care system that caters for everyone’s needs. One of these goals is to build and sustain healthy surroundings, and communities. This fosters trust among the health practitioners, and the society. The second goal is to present excellent, health care services that are available for everyone. Encouraging collaboration and innovation is the next plan that is capable of lifting the IHS to much greater heights. According to some health practitioners, it is likely that many health care systems adopt approaches based on their technological advances. They, however, ascertain that all the latest technology in the health care sector cannot be substituted for quality health care. In IHS, there have been reports that doctors and surgeons have refused to purchase surgical robots since they are expensive. They would rather do it their own way, and reap the same or even better results than their counterparts, who rely on them (McKenzie et al, 2011). This has been the attitude that is adopted in the IHS when it comes to health care. It is the same attitude they use when it comes to competition. Some of these techniques used are remarkably traditional. In the other sectors, they tend to look at innovation the wrong way. This is what many practitioners in the IHS believe. They believe that the other health care system looks at need and forgets about the cost. Concern continues to grow about the government spending on expensive machinery and technology in hospitals, and other health care providers. Many people around the U.S. believe that the IHS should act as an inspiration to all health care sectors (McKenzie et al, 2011). Some of the financial outcomes of a health care system, such as the IHS, do not demand much. The rise in adequacy has propelled the IHS to greater heights, and the secret of how they got there is no longer a mystery. Its adequacy has increased the Native America’s mortality rate over the years. The behavioural approaches that they introduced can lead to the prevention of chronic diseases. The IHS works to promote a solid health infrastructure, with the capability to respond to health emergencies. This togetherness is fostered by the IHS, and the tribal communities. The system also seeks to eradicate racial disparities that exist in the United States. There are many stakeholders in the IHS. These stakeholders ensure that the system they run on is catering for the need of every Native American in need of medical services (McKenzie et al, 2011). These stakeholders include the Tribes present in the area, and the Tribal Organizations. They ensure that operations are carried out smoothly in the IHS without any disruptions from any outside sources. There are also stakeholders in the form of Indian Urban Organizations; the State, city and government agencies. They ensure that wrangles in the IHS do not exist. If wrangles do exist, it is their job to eradicate all negative influence in the health care sector. They help govern the running of the IHS, and also help the Organization pursue strategic opportunities (Daly, 2009). The stakeholders can also be in the form of patients from the Indian community. This is because the IHS is there for their benefit. They are there to help monitor the manner in which the sector is being used. They offer suggestions as to how business can be run perfectly without affecting their previous impeachable status (Daly, 2009). They do this to serve the increasingly diverse Indian health network that is increasing in size with every waking moment. These stakeholders have the capacity to elect the management that runs the organization. Only the Congress of the National Assembly can override their decision. The number of Native Americans served by the IHS is still small. There are exceedingly few Native Americans present in the United States. They make up about 0.7% of the entire nation. This makes the number of all those that seek medical attention even smaller. However, the rate at which this number is growing can be seen in their mortality rate. They have been considered the smallest minority group in the whole of America. They face different kinds of health problems than other Americans. Youth suicides, tuberculosis, and alcoholism are among some of the problems they face (Kutz, 2009). Cancer is unusually low among Native Americans, but they suffer from a high rate of diabetes. In the Indian Health Service, the reported cases that are taken care of by them are; respiratory infection, diabetes, tuberculosis, and well-child care. The IHS deals with most of these cases, and more. These numbers are growing with every year. This is with the help the IHS is bringing to them on a regular basis. There are experienced pharmacists who fully practice, and utilise their skills. Advances and innovations have been championed by them. They, therefore, make the progress of the IHS even more prepared to deal with medical problems. Over the past thirty years, these innovations are becoming more and more evident to the people in Native America, and the whole nation. The counselling of patients is also a way in which the organization is reaching out to a larger number of Native Americans (Daly, 2009). However, it is capable of reaching a much wider number of Native Americans. This leads to the resolving of problems in Native America in a cheaper and much easier way. The financial outcomes of the IHS are resolved by the government. In the nation’s budget, billions of dollars are used to cater for the needs of the IHS. The money is meant to support, and expand the programs that are initiated by the organization. This money should be accounted for by the organization’s management team. This is to guarantee that it is put to proper use and that it benefits all the Native American tribes. The main focus of the Indian Health Service is placed on ensuring that there is an improvement of the health outcomes. The Native America’s health issue is addressed. This is since there has to be the promotion of healthy Indian communities (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2011). Healthy Indian communities, therefore, promote understanding and love among all the surrounding areas. Some of its operations are keen to promote the togetherness of all the Indian communities they serve. This can go a long way in their mission to accomplish a safe environment, for all of the Native Americans. Youth suicides and alcohol related deaths can be reduced with some of the organization’s initiatives. A serious look into the management in the areas the IHS has set base, can lead to the provision of suitable, and quality health care to the Native American communities (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2011). This ensures that some of their goals and targets are achieved. However, a problem with inadequate funding is likely to cause the organization some problems. This is a serious problem since the organization is not capable of serving the communities it is supposed to, adequately. The people become restless, and in light of this, they become hard to manage. This is around the areas where the organization has set bases. Some of the Native Americans think that they are suffering at the mercy of the Indian Health Service. Some of the restrictions that are in the Organization prevent the hiring of qualified personnel. The Indian-preference policy is one of these restrictions. This leads to many people thinking that the IHS is inefficient, thus, quality in health care and administration suffers immensely (Kutz, 2009). In conclusion, the benefits that an organization like IHS brings are worth noting. The fact that they foster better health infrastructure should be noted. The Native Americans are a minority group in America, but they are being recognised by the world. That is why there is a distinct organization that caters for their needs. It also ensures that it promotes community association. The promotion of wellness and healing are among the things that are in the organization’s objectives. If they are capable of all these, then they do deserve some credit. It is time that the Native Americans present in these areas help foster better health care in the own communities. Once the communities do this, it becomes slightly easier for the organization to perform its core duty. That is, to promote and foster quality, and improved health care to all. They could also foster collaboration and immense innovation across the Indian health network. References Daly, K. L. (2009). Indian health service: Updated policies and procedures. New York: Bantam Books. Kutz, G. D. (2009). IHS mismanagement led to millions of dollars in lost or stolen property. New York: Macmillan. McKenzie, J. F., Pinger, R. R., Kotecki, J. E. (2011). An introduction to community health. New York: PULP. Reynells, M. L. (1997). Federal funding sources for rural areas, 1998. London: Macmillan Publishers. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, (2011). Indian health service: Strategic plan, 2006-2011. Washington DC. Read More