Research a health care organization or network that spans several states with in the United States (United Healthcare, Vanguard, Banner Health, etc.). Assess the readiness of the health care organization or network you chose in regard to meeting the health care needs of citizens in the next decade.
Prepare a 1,000-1,250 word paper that presents your assessment and proposes a strategic plan to ensure readiness. Include the following:
- Describe the health care organization or network.
- Describe the organization’s overall readiness based on your findings.
- Prepare a strategic plan to address issues pertaining to network growth, nurse staffing, resource management, and patient satisfaction.
- Identify any current or potential issues within the organizational culture and discuss how these issues may affect aspects of the strategic plan.
- Propose a theory or model that could be used to support implementation of the strategic plan for this organization. Explain why this theory or model is best.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
In this assignment, we were asked to research a healthcare organization or network that spans several states within the United States and assess its readiness in meeting the healthcare needs of citizens in the next decade. We were also required to prepare a strategic plan that addresses issues pertaining to network growth, nurse staffing, resource management, and patient satisfaction. Additionally, we had to identify any potential issues within the organizational culture and propose a theory or model that could be used to support the implementation of the strategic plan for this organization.
Answer:
One healthcare organization that is well-known for its nationwide presence and offerings is UnitedHealth Group. UnitedHealth Group is a managed health care company that offers a range of health insurance products and services to individuals and employers. It provides health benefits to over 50 million people in the United States and 5 million international customers.
UnitedHealth Group seems to be well-prepared for meeting the health care needs of citizens in the next decade. The company has continued to invest in technology, which has increased its efficiency and effectiveness. It has also expanded in several states and has acquired other companies to expand its presence, such as Optum and Surgical Care Affiliates. Additionally, the organization consistently invests in research, innovation, and development of new medical products and services that are patient-centered.
To address issues pertaining to network growth, UnitedHealth Group can focus on increasing its presence in underserved areas. It can also work on developing new products and services to meet the growing needs of patients and attract more customers. To address nurse staffing, the organization can invest in continuing education programs, provide scholarships, and offer competitive compensation packages to help retain its nurses. To promote resource management, the group can enhance its use of telemedicine technology and digital health records to simplify the provision of care. Finally, to improve patient satisfaction, UnitedHealth Group can focus on delivering personalized care experiences and implementing proactive measures to prevent chronic diseases among its patients.
Potential issues within UnitedHealth Group’s organizational culture may include resistance to change, lack of transparency, and siloed teams. These issues may affect the implementation of the strategic plan, and as such, it is critical to work on changing the culture. A theory that could be used to support this change is Lewin’s Change Management Model. This model follows a three-step process that involves unfreezing the current culture, transitioning to a new culture, and refreezing the new culture. This model may be best for UnitedHealth Group as it involves extensive preparation and engagement, which may help overcome resistance to change.
