Please provide 2 responses to the following 2 post of 192 words each and 2 sources each response.
– MUST include biblical integration in each response –
-Sources must be in 5 years –
RESPONSE 1
A SWOT analysis is conducted by an organization to identify its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats which is then formatted into a table to determine these attributes while formulating strategies to address the issues found. Moseley (2018) discussed this process writing that many factors may be generated by this analysis which may be surprising but organizing the information by pertinence can lead to a successful strategic plan. (p. 116) I chose to conduct a SWOT analysis on Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) which was founded in 1838. In completing a SWOT analysis on VCU, I created a table to list its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. According to Teoli et al. (2022) strengths and weaknesses are internally related while opportunities and threats are externally related. (para. 1) This information assists in determining what the internal strengths and weaknesses are while comparing the external opportunities and threats.
Strengths for VCU health system were listed tangible resources. A broad range of departments with several different specialties over a large geographical area. According to VCU (n.d.) they have acquired 78.1 acres for the Academic Campus, 51.5 acres for the MCV Campus, 431 acres, and 162 buildings. Within this organization they have cutting edge technology, clinical trial research department, and VCU houses the only Level 1 trauma center in the region. The strengths of VCU set it apart from competitors in the state of Virginia and regionally making its strengths category the highest priority. Nurse staffing issues is one of the weaknesses that was determined by the SWOT analysis. According to Bowie and Baker (2019) “Perceptions of staffing adequacy on VCU’s RN satisfaction survey fell below the Magnet mean, and reviews of the unit’s staffing plans and unit schedules showed a high level of variability between like units and across different shifts.” (para. 12) The vast number of services and specialties that VCU offers also causes some patients to get lost in the process. O’Connor (2019) discussed Medicare docking and sanctioning several hospitals, including VCU, for high rates of readmissions, high rates of infections, and a high number of injuries. (para. 1-3)
Opportunities identified for VCU include expanding bed capacity to compete with the largest hospital in Virginia. The nurse staffing weakness that was identified above can be turned into an opportunity for focus on hiring and retaining qualified candidates. Hazel (2019) completed several types of analyses on VCU showing opportunities as “closure of gaps in capabilities needed to be top performing and increased public awareness and value of clinical research.” (p. 8) Threats for this organization include IT issues due to many providers utilizing an old system. Other healthcare entities within the general area of VCU also offer some of the same services but rank higher than VCU. Increasing communication throughout the campus while updating its network and facilities could assist in limiting this weakness. 2 Corinthians 13:5 teaches, “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” (ESV) Continually examining the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats within an organization ensures that we can address any issue found while implementing ways to compete in the healthcare field.
RESPONSE 2
Heart of Florida Health Center (HFHC) is a nationally top-rated Patient-Centered Medical practice. Community health centers are an integral component of our nation’s health care system, representing the largest source of comprehensive primary health care for underserved communities. Community health centers have expanded rapidly to meet the growing needs of medically underserved, lower-income neighborhoods. HFHC “in 2018, the center had 19,000 patients annually and it grew to 30,000 patients during his tenure, according to the Ocala Star Banner” (Freeman, 2022). Their operating budget has grown due to a contract with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office to provide health care to jail inmates, and also for county employees.
HFHC has many strengths available to the community that make them a viable decision for investment with funds from grants. Community health centers save money because people seek services at these clinics instead of turning to hospital emergency rooms or racking up large bills from hospital stays. They provide access to quality comprehensive care with referrals, are committed to providing healthcare to the community, see patients with and without insurance, and have all types of services and resources available. Community health centers “play a variety of roles, including assisting with care coordination and monitoring for complications as well as assisting in education and behavior change” (Chang et al., 2018, p. 1249). Three new vehicles will make up a fleet for the health center. A mobile unit will be used for pop-up clinics for vaccines or care, and a transportation vehicle will decrease barriers patients have in traveling to receive medication or services. Recent funding from the Marion County Hospital District will also support a 42-foot mobile medical and dental unit.
HFHC weaknesses include the fact that they do have a pharmacy on-site, but not at all their locations. This would create the problem that patients would have to travel further to get their medications. Another weakness some services are not available at all locations, so if there are no dental services again patients would have to travel longer to get their needed service. There is also a lack of 24-hour access to doctors via an on-call system. Unlike other organizations that are able to assist patients after hours, HFHC does not provide this at this time. This would be a positive change for the organization if it can be implemented. Lastly, the wait time at appointments can be done better by hiring more qualified employees.
There are so many opportunities that HFHC has. First, they should expand on patient services, such as entering into specialty medicine. More partnerships with the community can also help them. Referring physicians are more likely to take notice of your practice, value your skills, and entrust their patients to your care if you’re actively engaged with your community. They currently have many partnerships such as with the United Way but many more can be obtained. This would also include growth in relationships between physicians in other community organizations. This would help patients tremendously by giving them a more personalized experience. Expansion to other locations that can provide all services in disadvantaged neighborhoods would also give the opportunity for more growth with patients and would help to attract more commercial insured patients.
Threats to HFHC include competition with other entities such as the Florida Department of Health. They have a bigger program with more resources available for their clients. They would need to look into the expansions that are previously mentioned to remain within the same realm. Another threat is any changes to the Federal poverty guidelines. “In 2015, 1,375 health centers provided care to 24.3 million patients, including 1 in 12 U.S. residents and nearly 1 in 6 Medicaid enrollees. Almost three-quarters of all health center patients had income below the poverty level” (Rosenbaum et al., 2017, p. 1). That could mean that someone that currently qualifies for care at a reduced or free rate may no longer qualify for or pay a higher rate. This would also affect Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements that they currently receive.
Like other health centers, HFHC depends on grant funding to finance care for uninsured patients and to subsidize insured patients who face high out-of-pocket costs, limited benefits, or both. Along with providing quality health care at these sites, these investments in community health centers will help the neighborhoods where they are located. Community health centers play in both healthcare delivery and improved neighborhood economic activity. Community health centers support the economy by providing jobs, paying taxes, and buying goods and services. Community health centers “play a variety of roles, including assisting with care coordination and monitoring for complications as well as assisting in education and behavior change” (Chang et al., 2018, p. 1249).
The HFHC can continue to grow and flourish. There are so many marketing opportunities that can make a good organization great. The most important is to promote your brand. When you build a strong and recognizable brand and promote awareness this will open doors to other opportunities for expansion. By the same token, we have opportunities to grow and flourish in the eyes of the Lord. “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (King James Bible, 1769/2017, Colossians 1:9).