Introduction to Healthcare Strategy

By the end of the course, you will have the confidence to effectively engage in the strategic process at every level, whether leading it, taking part in it or drafting key performance indicators. You should also be able to:

• Explore key organisation and management concepts as applied to strategy models in the healthcare sector.

• Understand how the theory and practice of strategy making can be applied to develop an inclusive, practical and responsive strategy.

• Understand the full strategy life cycle from ideation, to consultation, implementation and monitoring.

• Apply key strategic management tools and concepts to the strategy life cycle in your healthcare organisation.

• Discuss and reflect on how the current approach to the strategy life cycle in your organisation could be improved.

• Week 1: You will learn about different models of strategy making, including SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis, balance score cards, scenario planning, Porter's five forces, issue-based planning and more. You will learn the key terminology around strategic planning, as well as what models different organisations tend to use and why.
• Week 2: How do we start the process of making a strategy? Here, you will learn how to scan your organisation's internal environment and the external factors that shape your operations, as well as how to consult stakeholders and get the employee buy-in that leads to successful consultations. You will also consider the merits and demerits of top-down strategic planning (where management announces a strategy with little to no internal consultation) and bottom-up strategic planning (where ideas and inputs are sourced from employees and, sometimes, other stakeholders).You will consider the pros and cons of employee away days, which have become a familiar part of strategic planning.
• Week 3: How do you take information from consultations and environmental scanning, and use it to draft a strategy? What are the differences between an internal strategy, used for tracking progress internally, and an external strategy, which may go on an organisation's website, and how do these differences influence the final strategy document? In week three, youwill consider these questions, as well as what gives weight and legitimacy to a strategy. In this context, questions about how to workshop a strategy and take feedback from you in the process, will be centre stage.
• Week 4: How do you understand a strategy, how do you start it, how do you finish and launch it, and how do you ensure that it is monitored, implemented and, ultimately, closed off? You will learn about key performance indicators (KPIs) as part of a strategy, how to draft them, and why they may only bring value to an organisation if they are measured and monitored. You will also consider how best to monitor a strategy and communicate its progress, and whether this should be done by management, by a committee, or by a designated strategy manager. Finally, you will discuss how to review a strategy and learn from mistakes in how it was implemented.
• Week 5: in the final week, you will reflect on your learning and develop a personal action plan, focusing on actionable and applicable changes tailored to your specific workplace and context.

We understand that online learning might be a new experience for some. Our virtual learning environment (VLE) is intuitive, accessible, and easy to navigate. A dedicated programme coordinator will be available to assist with any technical difficulties or questions about learning online.

At the start of the course, we provide short orientation videos to familiarise you with the platform and course format.

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will receive a RCSI Completion Certificate. Achieving this certificate and earning continuous professional development (CPD) points involves passing weekly MCQs, engaging in online discussions, and participating in reflective exercises, including the completion of a personal action plan.

Although this course does not carry credits as per the European Credit Transfer System, it upholds rigorous quality assurance standards to provide an excellent educational experience. The course has been approved by the RCSI Professional Development and Practice Committee and is accredited for CPD points in line with the Irish Medical Council guidelines. Participants seeking recognition in other jurisdictions should verify the applicability of these CPD points as per their local requirements.