By: Joshua Finley
Collaboration is a part of everyday life. People practice it in school, during sports practice, at work, and even at home, doing chores and errands. The world thrives on collaboration and helps people reach their full potential. Collaborating is often discussed in job interviews as a critical qualification for that role. So why is it so hard for the healthcare industry to practice it on multiple levels? Instead of prioritizing competition between different healthcare organizations, why not work together so everyone can succeed? Unfortunately, it usually comes down to money. Healthcare leaders want their successes to be their own, not shared across the industry. Not only is this harming the trust and transparency throughout the industry, but it’s getting to the point where patients’ health is put at risk. It’s time to put the people over the profits and get to collaborate.
This is true on both the internal and external levels. Collaboration often helps solve complex issues regarding patients and their health. The industry itself is chaotic and ever-changing, so people all across the industry need to work together and solve problems. The key to this is making sure that healthcare is accessible to everyone. Far too often, insurance companies exploit consumers’ pockets for their gain. They make decisions on how much things cost, often due to medical inflation, and these decisions put people at a disadvantage. Insurance companies and healthcare organizations need to find solutions to ensure everyone gets the care they need. Still, the only way to do that is to create open communication channels. Having these conversations with patients in mind will help solve more problems than creating them.
“The healthcare system as a whole needs to put its patients and employees first. Instead of working together to capitalize on those who are the most vulnerable, the industry needs to come together to make healthcare more accessible and affordable. This means coming up with innovative ways to provide the highest care possible,” says DoorSpace CEO Sarah M. Worthy.
Collaboration goes further than just making sure people have access to care. Healthcare organizations can also invest in technology and training to ensure that employees are taken care of. Burnout and turnover are among the biggest issues the healthcare industry faces today. A salary is only sometimes enough for all employees because a healthy work environment takes precedence. Healthcare leaders need to work together to ensure floors are fully staffed, managers are equipped to handle complex issues, and employees have enough training to provide care.
This could be a work in progress, but sharing its findings can create a more cohesive industry if one hospital has it down. Creating a more productive work environment will ensure employees have opportunities for growth, which will, in turn, help patients receive the highest level of care. Only some organizations have this process down, but leaders must work with those on the frontlines to figure out internal solutions.
“If one hospital has figured out how to manage turnover and innovate technology, it should share its findings with other organizations. The healthcare industry has a lot to learn, and if something works for one place, why gatekeep that information? There should be no secrets when it comes to patients’ health. Instead, organizations should be more open about their success to make the industry more universal,” Worthy says.
The bottom line is that the healthcare industry needs to put the people first, and collaboration can set positive changes in motion. Leaders can work with those on the frontlines because that will create a more transparent workspace. There needs to be more trust spreading throughout the industry, and it could be because people feel that money is more important than their health. For that trust to be built back up, healthcare leaders need to work with others to gain insight into how to make productive changes. Collaboration is a positive thing and will only help drive revenue and trust in the future. How can you start making changes for your patients?
Published by: Annie P.
