Healthcare Systems Management - Essay Example

JOSEPH MUSAMADYA NTHINI HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT Healthcare systems today face many problems. Though most European countries have different political methods and institutional structures they've similar problems in adapting to increasing costs; skills shortage, evolving technology, rising expectations and health consumerism, demographic and societal change and funding issues9.Healthcare organizations in the future will have to seek assistance in the future from the private sector. As Governments today face spiraling costs in the provision of health care services resulting in the closure of hospitals and various other specialist medical services it makes a lot of sense to privatize these services rather than close hospital and specialists services therefore increasing demand on the limited infrastructure.

Another option is 'taking direct action to reduce expenditure on pharmaceuticals, both by encouraging the use of generic drugs and by restricting or prohibiting the use of expensive branded pharmaceuticals' (CEC 2002, p43). Suppliers of medical equipment may be asked to reduce the astronomical prices they charge for their goods in exchange for some Government incentives such as reduced taxes or more tenders or contracts.'Nanomedicine is a further exciting new field that has the potential to revolutionize healthcare.

It involves the monitoring, repair, construction and control of human biological systems at the molecular level, using engineered "nanodevices" PricewaterhouseCoopers 1999, p22).' New medical opportunities could totally revolutionize healthcare systems despite concerns about spiraling costs. These technologies include Genomics, biotechnologies, nanotechnologies, telesurgery and robotics.The Education Authorities should be proactive in redressing the shrinking pools of talent and young recruits.

On the other hand the Immigration department could also play a major role by providing healthcare professionals who have fled their countries to play a hand in developing the health care system. In addition, they can work together with the healthcare authorities in recruiting migrant laborers from Europe. Governments should also look at ways of bringing more women into the workforce and give incentives discouraging early retirees to alleviate financial burdens of ageing societies.A strategic management approach would be critical to help healthcare systems to utilize their resources and cut spiraling costs.

However this is doomed to fail due to inadequate or incorrect marketing research, inability to predict or control environmental reactions, overestimation of resource competence, failure to coordinate and failure to obtain senior management commitment. These are just a few of the problems facing a strategic management approach.A bureaucratic approach would be a total disaster that's why healthcare systems are in such trouble now because that approach only caters for the interests of a few. I'm for an integration approach as the result is a much greater collaboration between healthcare and social service providers.

Advantages of an integrated approach are sharing of information in real time, 'streamlining manual tasks improve patient care and save money. cutting costs of major infrastructure upgrades, communication and decision-making is easier, fewer mistakes are made; patients have better outcomes and receive more efficient care. Furthermore there are fewer errors of omission and lower malpractice insurances. The old adage that many hands make lighter work rings true for an integrated approach.WORKS CITEDEuropean Commission (EC), Social Protection in Europe 2001, Directorate-General for Employment and Social Affairs, Luxembourg, Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, 2002,Paula Musich, E-Records Bill of Health, July 30, 2006PricewaterhouseCoopers, Healthcast 2010/; Smaller World Bigger Expectations 1999, p22www.emcc.eurofound.eu.int/content/source/tn03008a.html