Kristina Troyer, DPT, ATP, CCRP, serves as Manager of Rehabilitation Services, GCMC - Skilled Nursing Unit at Lee Health.
On April 8th, Kristina will serve on the supply chain leadership forum "The Best Investments and Strategies to Maximize Supply Chain" at Becker's Hospital Review 11th Annual Meeting. As part of an ongoing series, Becker's is talking to healthcare leaders who plan to speak at the conference, which will take place on April 6-9, 2020 in Chicago.
To learn more about the conference and Kristina's session, click here.
Question: What, from your perspective, is the biggest challenge about the future of work for hospitals, and what can they do about it? (i.e. automation, desire for more flexibility, clinician shortages, etc.)
Kristina Troyer: I think the greatest challenge will be the shift from traditional centralized hospital-based care to a more community and post-acute focused care model. Research protocols and quality care focus has historically been created in and for acute care settings. As a post-acute care provider, I have found the bulk of research is not typically sufficient or specific to our environment.
In the future, the provision of service will have to be unique and providers will need to cultivate a different set of skills to be successful. When we reach out to find those answers, the research may not be sufficiently robust to support evidence-based care. Data collection, and even more importantly, meaningful data analysis will be crucial to successful outcome-based care in this new landscape.
Q: What, if anything, should hospitals be doing now given economists' projections of a forthcoming economic downturn?
KT: Patient care facilities need to cultivate human capital logistics and resilient workplace programs. In an economic downturn, many companies will reduce redundancy in work systems and ask their workforce to be more flexible and take on more roles. Without a specific resiliency plan and logistic program focused on developing and maintaining human capital, poor morale, decreased productivity and employee turnover will eat up cost savings and decrease patient care outcomes. Leaders will have to develop their skills in cultivating healthy work environments that allow providers to be flexible without burning out.
Q: Where do you go for inspiration and fresh ideas?
KT: Harvard Business Review has been my consistent go-to for new ideas, inspiration and resources as a leader. The podcasts are very informative and usually focus on workplace problem-solving. I also like watching documentaries on high performers in a variety of career paths. I find that all high achievers share a common thread of focus and determination that inspires me.
Q: What do you see as the most exciting opportunity in healthcare right now?
KT: I think data analytics and predictive analytic development is the most exciting opportunity in healthcare. I think we will need to find balance in the future between those who provide data collection and analysis and clinicians who aid interpretation to maximize patient benefit in application.
What do you see as the most exciting opportunity in healthcare right now?