Healthy functioning of the healthcare sector

Healthy functioning of the healthcare sector

It is an accepted fact that HR in healthcare and hospitals are facing the following challenges :

1. Recruitment & Selection processes

Archaic methods of recruitment and selection are proving to be less beneficial to the organisation thus calling for a change in outlook from a futuristic point of view rather than a ' filling a vacancy' approach. This also means a mindset change at the top level - C suite level.

2. Wage Competition 

Every hospital would like to have the best talent pool but may not be able to or willing to pay the best compensation.  Those who  can get the best talent , leaving the less talented ones for the others to pick up.

3. Shortage

A good pay and perks also fail sometime to get the 'right fit' employee as there is a shortage of qualified and skilled workforce in the healthcare scenario.

4. Attrition / Retention

One of the key challenges is faced in this area. At different levels, there are different rate of attrition.  Probably, it is very high among nurses. Conventional methods no longer guarantees Retention. 

5. Burnout syndrome

This is rather high in hospitals at executive and non executive levels too in hospitals.Work load increases are disproportionate, inadequate compensation, impractical work hours, unfriendly attitude among peers and seniors are some of the reasons. 

6. Training and Development

Many hospitals do not have or do not believe in continuous training and up killing.The approach is ad-hoc mostly.

Developing leaders is the responsibility of the C suite executives who have by training and experience have come to C suite level.

Path breaking HR approach

The above scenario has propelled the Path breaking HR outlook now.

It involves a shrewd analysis of the current situation, closely assessing future scenario using trend analysis and economic realities.

Then 'work backward' to plan the manpower needs, tweak the recruitment and selection standards to suit futuristic requirement.

Uncompromising attention to continuous training and development at all operational and executive levels in the hospital so that they become ' future ready'

Planning for outcomes and communicating the same to employees unambiguously.  Monitoring outcomes and course corrections periodically so that it is a mutually beneficial exercise.  Appreciating the future role AI can play in productivity gains.

Creating an enabling work culture .

Compensating rightly and empowering people. Showing them  their career pathway and telling them honestly that they are being groomed for facing future challenges. Keeping their aspirations for C suite position alive and fulfilling them when they deliver the agreed outcomes. 

Serious training and upskilling will create a better workforce and would also help retention and grooming. 

A Mahalingam

Healthcare Administrator and Academician

TwinTech Healthcare Academy, Chennai

Mobile : 97104 85295 / eMail : mahali@mahali.in / Web : mahali.in

HEALTHCARE - THE NEED TO REGULATE AND ENHANCE

HEALTHCARE - THE NEED TO REGULATE AND ENHANCE

While the state and central budgets for health care spending have increased over the years, they remain low by global standards, not only in comparison with the advanced west but countries from the third world.

Health care is a primary responsibility of the state, especially in a poor nation like India and spending on it certainly needs to be increased in comparison to other sectors.  While life expectancy is 66 years in India, it is 74 in Brazil, 75 in China, 59 in South Africa and 79 in the US. Increasing healthcare spending particularly by the government and more importantly reaching healthcare facilities to all, needs to be ensured.

While safety index in childbirth has shown a healthy progress, in relation to other countries, India has a long way to go in child mortality. While the national figures depicting various facets of health care seem encouraging there is huge disparity in healthcare advancement and dispensing between the advanced and backward states and this is something that needs to be looked into.

There is also lopsided growth in health care between villages,towns and big cities in the same State.Studies also point out that there are lacuna in some areas of health care even in States which are supposedly advanced in health care dispensing, for (eg) Although Tamilnadu is considered a progressive state in healthcare, states like Punjab, Kerala and Haryana are more progressive in some parameters. It is a matter of grave concern that awareness on Immunization and health and hygiene of pregnant and breast-feeding mothers have not reached a large section of the population.

Life-style diseases, hereditary diseases, accident injuries  are areas registering a steady increase, leading to higher personal spending on health and hygiene. This is a critical area needing special attention,While some state governments have health insurance schemes in place,which enable people below the poverty line to access expensive medical care. It should be borne in mind that expanding insurance services and Medical cover will lead to pushing up of costs and excess diagnosis and treatment in private hospitals and therefore like in other markets, creation of a strong regulatory body under the new health policy  is a necessity.

It is a welcome trend that traditional treatment methods like ayurveda, siddha, unani and yoga are increasingly being sought after by the common man. They are also being dispensed alongside allopathic treatment in government institutions. It is essential to expand the scope of these unconventional,low cost treatment modalities which do not have adverse side effects.

There is also a need to have a strong regulatory body to monitor and avoid malpractices in private sector hospitals. This will ensure quality healthcare at reasonable cost are available to people.

Article by

A Mahalingam

Healthcare Administrator and Academician

TwinTech Healthcare Academy, Chennai

Mobile : 97104 85295 / eMail : mahali@mahali.in / Web : mahali.in