Case - Why Innovation in Health Care Is so Hard

403 Words2 Pages
When I first saw the title of the article “Why Innovation in Health Care Is So Hard” I was expecting it to be another negative prognosis (pun intended) of our healthcare system. Even before reading it’s content, I could list many of the hurdles that people from all parts of the sector face that would be expounded upon; the pleasant surprise was the upbeat, practical messages that the presents, actually turning the very obstacles into assets! It is an interesting concept to consider that the major forces that hinder progress can actually be used to drive innovation. For example, key people, or “players,” are an oft overlooked force which, as is demonstrated, can literally close down an new initiative. Yet by recognizing how it will affect these key players, their support can be a powerful force to contribute to the success of new ideas or startups. With the simple question of “who will this affect?” potential adversaries can be turned around into important supporters. Another human factor which is often a barrier to health care innovation is the investor, or lack of them. A great idea may not gain the support it deserves simply because of the significant time required to wait for approval, or, because its “third party payment system” escapes their understanding. Yet another human factor affecting healthcare are today’s customers themselves. their reaction to a new initiative is often based information which they glean from a variety of sources which are out of the innovator’s direct control. Policy is an obvious force in healthcare innovation and can be identified as a common barrier to its growth. The risks of healthcare initiatives gone wrong understandably encourages policy makers to limit the amount of innovation that they are willing to allow for. While technology is clearly force that has driven healthcare forward, the competition that it generates
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