Discover the importance of introducing new technologies in healthcare and how to get your team on board. Learn from the success of past medical advancements like the polio vaccine and explore practical steps for a smooth transition.
“If I had asked my customers what they wanted, they would have said a faster horse.”
– Henry Ford
Embracing Technology: A Necessity in Modern Healthcare
As Henry Ford famously said, “If I had asked my customers what they wanted, they would have said a faster horse.” The sentiment holds true in healthcare, where innovation is vital for progress. Let’s explore how we can introduce new technologies effectively and get your team on board.
A Personal Connection to Medical Innovation
In 1956, my father contracted polio, a terrifying virus that paralyzed him. He spent a month in isolation, where the only visitor was a kind doctor who brought him a daily sweet. The polio vaccine developed by Dr. Jonas Salk ultimately ended the epidemic, with over 400 million doses distributed between 1955 and 1962. Polio became a distant memory by the end of the century. Today, we’re fortunate to have technologies that help us combat the deadly COVID-19 virus. But during times of monumental stress, how do we convince our teams to embrace new technologies?
Leading the Change: 8 Key Steps
- State Your Vision: Clearly define the benefits of the technology for your practice, emphasizing its value. Explain how it will streamline workflows, improve patient experiences, and make life easier for your team. For instance, automated triage can prevent patients with COVID-19 symptoms from attending appointments.
- Team Leader: Appoint a respected team member to lead the change. This person should possess strong communication and networking skills to plan and execute the transition effectively.
- Infrastructure Investment: Ensure you have the necessary infrastructure in place to support the technology.
- Customized Training: Recognize varying levels of digital proficiency among your team. Tailor training to individual needs, offering online sessions for some and more hands-on coaching for others.
- Set Milestones: Establish clear goals, such as the number of team members using the new technology by a specific date. Consider implementing changes incrementally for a smoother transition.
- Routine Integration: Make technology discussions a regular part of your team meetings.
- Celebrate Success: Highlight achievements like full appointment schedules and successful remote triage, reinforcing the benefits of the technology.
- Open Communication: Be patient with team members facing challenges and work together to identify and address the root causes.
The Time for Change and Opportunity
In this era of transformation, adopting technologies like MyClinic365 can fortify general practice, making it less vulnerable, more adaptable, and ultimately, more resilient. As Jeff Bezos wisely noted, “There is no alternative to digital transformation. Visionary companies will carve out new strategic options for themselves — those that don’t adapt will fail.” Embrace change, embrace technology, and secure a brighter future for healthcare.
