reports
8 necessary steps towards digital transformation Successful digitalization in healthcare depends mostly on change management skills. Even the best technology is not enough. One also must know how to manage change, motivate employees to embrace innovation, and permanently introduce it to the organizational culture. Hospital and clinic managers often wonder how to implement a new IT system or functionality successfully. In this case, a common mistake is to focus one’s efforts solely on choosing the best technology – the perfect solution will fail if people refuse to accept it. After all, digital transformation is much more than just
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purchasing and installing a new IT system. It is a far-reaching interference in all established processes as well as employee habits and expectations. Yet, even if the employees – doctors, nurses, administrative staff – are unsatisfied with the current situation and expect change, in reality, they do not want to
modify the way they work. It’s true that “everybody wants a change, but nobody wants to change.” That’s why resistance to new solutions is often so strong that it effectively nullifies the positive effects of even the most crucial reforms. When it comes to healthcare, one of the best-known organizational change processes that work well is the 8-step Kotter model. It comprises the following stages: Create a sense of urgency regarding the changes among the employees. Employees need to know that the changes are essential and that there are specif-