In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, our preparedness was tested. Until today as we continue to battle the pandemic, our management of the healthcare agencies has changed considerably. We have also experienced other challenges such as shortage of supplies, inadequate healthcare workers, financial losses, and the need for care models. However, we perceive the healthcare delivery systems as complex adaptive structures that perform highly in unpredictable environments. I undertook the research to review effective response management responses towards the pandemic and the impacts of the changes to the healthcare system. In response to the virus, our healthcare sector has improved communication, high levels of innovation, and collaboration between various stakeholders. In addition, there has been the development of new leaders who facilitate the interventions and timely response to the pandemic. A lot of changes, both positive and negative, have been experienced throughout the entire country. Majorly, the changes are attributed to the need to improve efficiency and commitment to combat the highly unpredictable pandemic. However, I observed that the healthcare systems change over time to cater to the changing external environment. The pandemic has influenced factors surrounding the health system, and the environment has become unpredictable, which includes restrictions on cultural norms. Healthcare facilities are forced to incorporate different changes to suit their external environment. Through collaboration, innovation, and communication, healthcare institutions will effectively and efficiently deal with the experienced change.
Relevance of the Research
In searching for the relevance of the research, I deduced that change management and its impact on healthcare systems during the COVID-19 pandemic is crucial for everyone. Our healthcare system has been under pressure from the pandemic since the beginning of 2020. Most people may have thought it to be an" apocalyptic" level with little knowledge of the virus. We have experienced huge numbers of death and infection rates. Therefore, the healthcare systems had to change to incorporate the new normal in society. Undertaking this research proved to be essential from my point of view due to the following reasons.
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Firstly, change is a constant thing globally, and we expect changes soon. Throughout various pandemics in the past, the healthcare system has experienced adverse changes to become the system we all know today. Some of the pandemics have turned to be endemic, forcing our healthcare to live with them. Despite the high levels of research being conducted, the healthcare systems always change with discoveries. The constant changing of the external environment has brought new practices in healthcare. New technologies have also improved research in various healthcare facilities.
Secondly, through my research, we will be able to increase our odds of success. I will recommend several change principles that our healthcare system should implement to fight the pandemic efficiently. WHO has released several guidelines that have helped us improve the containment of the virus. Studying their impact on the external environment change will help devise a clear plan that will help us eradicate the pandemic.
The third reason why I believed this research was necessary is that change management in our health care will provide new skills to the healthcare workers. Healthcare workers gain new skills as they incorporate change in the health system. Improved communication enables the workers to air their thoughts effectively to decrease risks associated with the pandemic and improve productivity and service delivery. Since the pandemic started, we have experienced many changes in the healthcare sector, such as job restructuring, processes restructuring, and implementation of new technologies. I have also observed the effect of technology on health care services. It has been at the forefront in aiding our government response and national emergency response, such as analyzing the various strains of the COVID-19 virus.
Lastly, I affirm that my research will help reduce the negative impact that is associated with change. The changes we have experienced have been challenging as we come to terms with the "new normal." Additionally, I have observed the changes experiencing some resistance. Some communities have been seen opposing the change in the social sector. Being transparent and honest about the changes and why they are being experienced will create a good platform to fight the pandemic. In addition, if the changes are implemented correctly by making the right choices, it reduces the cost of implementation.
Methodology
In the research, I applied secondary sources in evaluating my topic, change management and its impact on the healthcare system. Due to the restriction imposed to combat the spread of the virus, the research methods refrained from using face-to-face interviews and questionnaires since the virus can attach itself to the papers. Some of the articles that I used in this project have highlighted how leadership proficiency has positively impacted healthcare systems. However, different scholars and secondary sources stated future studies to consider retention of leaders and learning function in our healthcare facilities.
Additionally, I included all studies that showed evidence of change management and the effects on our healthcare system during the pandemic. Online databases also provided a vast amount of information and were included in my research. The online databases that I used included Psych Net, PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Cochrane. I conducted the search based on abstracts and titles using a combination of keywords such as Corona virus, COVID-19, change management, healthcare systems, and change intervention barriers were used in various databases.
However, I supplemented the research information from manual web-based searches on google scholar. I also had help from the librarian, who guided me in ascertaining that the research methodology was satisfactory. In addition, we used scholarly journal sites that publish significant articles. This process was achieved through navigating through critical websites such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence website, and the World Health Organization website. Furthermore, the selected articles were reviewed to establish additional reports which helped the preliminary investigation.
Results
Throughout the research, I aimed at providing comprehensive feedback. Even though the COVID-19 restrictions constrained my methodology, I had a conclusive outcome. The various secondary resources I applied in the study provided a clear picture of the changes in our health sector. My findings are highlighted below.
Firstly, I established that the pandemic has immensely disrupted both private and public healthcare operations. However, it is evident from my research that the pandemic has been a huge catalyst that implemented numerous large system transformations that enabled our healthcare facilities to make drastic changes. The corona virus source complexity, non-predictability, and transmission speed have weighed in the healthcare sector's changes daily.
Secondly, our health care institutions have faced various management challenges during the pandemic. Through my research, I found out the situation can be attributed to the national preparedness for the pandemic. A large number of our medical care facilities find it challenging to handle high infection rates. Some facilities experience a low supply of crucial requirements like intensive care unit beds, personal protective equipment (PPE), and ventilators during infection peaks. Also, I found out that the healthcare facilities are experiencing financial losses. I was able to link the losses to several elective operations cancellations and disruption of normal care.
Thirdly, my research established the critical nature of effective healthcare leadership amid a pandemic. Through the leadership, various strategies to combat the virus are implemented effectively. During this tough period, many health care workers are experiencing maximum stress levels. Effective leaders are building partnerships that help in empowering the healthcare workers while performing their duties. I noted that good communication skills also assist the leaders in running the healthcare facilities and ensuring everyone adheres to the given guidelines.
I established that our medical sector had been forced to adapt and learn from crisis response and was not ready to handle the pandemic. The crisis has enabled the healthcare facilities to deliver in their objective of enhancing human survival. It has led the population to be divided based on a risk factor to allocate the resources effectively. Our aging population has been given priority since they are susceptible to the virus.
Lastly, I realized the importance and effectiveness of telemedicine. I also found out that the virus had infected a larger number of medical practitioners on duty as they were directly dealing with patients. It was a fundamental need for the medical care practitioner, public, and patients in quarantine. It also enabled patient treatment in real-time through advice from clinicians on their health challenges. In addition, telemedicine enabled maximum utilization of the doctor’s time by providing virtual care.
Conclusion
The COVID-19 has provided us with large study areas, including change management in healthcare systems. The severity of the pandemic has forced changes in our healthcare sector that were not anticipated. It has led to the emergence of leaders with good communication skills and innovation to combat the further spread of the virus. Furthermore, the pandemic has largely affected our social and economic world despite the number of quarantine measures implemented by individual governments. Additionally, from the research, I found out that we are not prepared to handle any health crisis currently or soon. In addition, there are recommendations that I will put across from my study results. Firstly, we need to increase our organizational literacy by implementing modern technology. Secondly, we should develop a patient volume and capacity strategy that will help many patients receive care. Thirdly, safeguard the healthcare workers since they are at the forefront in this fight. Lastly, I recommend that our resources be ethically allocated as we look to win the battle against our invisible enemy.
