The healthcare field is evolving rapidly, requiring leaders to be constantly aware and adaptable to deliver effective yet efficient care. Rapid technological advances, demographic change, and treatment innovations transform the healthcare landscape and demand leaders to stay informed to achieve desired organizational outcomes (Nielson et al., 2020).
Healthcare leaders are facing significant challenges in adapting to current healthcare trends. Considering statistical data, 70% of organizations struggle to adopt changes, often due to a lack of awareness and ineffective leadership, stressing the significance of understanding trends and issues (Shannon, 2021). According to Shannon (2021), healthcare leaders must implement new policies and trends into their practice, which can help improve the quality of care, ensure patient safety, provide better access to healthcare services, and enhance the population's overall health. It is crucial for healthcare leaders to continuously assess the current trends required for effective health management and develop a practical plan to implement changes to improve health outcomes.
One crucial aspect is addressing the challenges faced by ageing people. Estebsari et al. (2020) state that the aging population is increasing dramatically. Healthcare leaders can develop comprehensive aging programs that encourage seniors to adopt healthy lifestyles to promote active and healthy aging, reducing the burden on the health system. This change in the demographics necessitates leaders to allocate resources strategically by formulating healthcare services tailored toward seniors' unique needs.
Nair and Adetayo (2019) emphasized the importance of cultural competence as a critical factor in improving clinical outcomes and provider well-being through a better understanding of cultural diversity in healthcare. To offer patient-centred care, leaders should promote cultural competence among health providers, acknowledging how sociocultural background impacts their beliefs and behaviour. As Kwame and Petrucka (2021) underscored, knowledge of healthcare beliefs and preferences is crucial for quality care. Knowing a patient's health beliefs can enable healthcare professionals to identify disagreements between their own and the patient's perception of their health condition. Consequently, healthcare providers can offer treatment options corresponding to patients' needs and expectations.
Healthcare workers' burnout is another pervasive issue that impacts patient treatment and workforce well-being. According to Squellati and Zangaro (2022), leaders must recognize the contributing factors and implement strategies that include staff involvement in decision-making, recognition of achievements, and minimizing unnecessary rules and regulations to reduce burnout.
The impact of trends and issues on healthcare leadership actions is significant. Leaders must incorporate current healthcare trends into their strategic planning, consider the implications of demographic shifts on workforce management, and adopt a broad-view approach to healthcare provision for effective resource allocation. For instance, the political trend of healthcare policy changes significantly influences resource allocation and reimbursement models, requiring leaders to adjust their strategies to comply with new policies and maintain high-quality patient care.
In conclusion, understanding trends and issues in health and healthcare is crucial for healthcare leaders. This understanding informs strategic decision-making, influences organizational culture, and ultimately enhances the delivery of healthcare services. Leaders who adapt to changes can navigate healthcare's evolving landscape and improve the well-being of providers and patients.
References
Estebsari, F., Dastoorpoor, M., Khalifehkandi, Z. R., Nouri, A., Mostafaei, D., Hosseini, M., Esmaeili, R., & Aghababaeian, H. (2020). The Concept of Successful Aging: A Review Article. Current aging science, 13(1), 4–10. https://doi.org/10.2174/1874609812666191023130117
Kwame, A., & Petrucka, P. M. (2021). A literature-based study of patient-centred care and communication in nurse-patient interactions: barriers, facilitators, and the way forward. BMC Nursing, 20(158), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-021-00684-2
Nair, L., & Adetayo, O. A. (2019). Cultural competence and ethnic diversity in healthcare. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open, 7(5). ncbi. https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000002219
Nilsen, P., Seing, I., Ericsson, C., Birken, S. A., & Schildmeijer, K. (2020). Characteristics of successful changes in health care organizations: An interview study with physicians, registered nurses and assistant nurses. BMC Health Services Research, 20(1), 1–8. https://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12913-020-4999-8
Shannon, P. K. (2021). Predicting healthcare leaders readiness to lead the implementation of change. African Journal of Business Management, 15(3), 100–109. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJBM2020.9190
Squellati, R., & Zangaro, G. A. (2022). Eight Ways Nurses Can Manage a Burnt-Out Leader. Nursing Clinics, 57(1), 67–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cnur.2021.11.005
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