Bringing EHR systems into the real world - Strategies for gaining the support of key individuals and creating ownership and long-term change in healthcare organizations
Over the years, Sirona has played key roles in some of Sweden's largest EHR system implementations - both in the preparatory phases and in the operational implementation. Thanks to these assignments, we have built up an invaluable bank of experience. One particularly important insight we have gained is how to secure the necessary commitment of key people in healthcare operations. Without their support - no real change.
If you fail to engage them, you risk everything from a lack of user support to a system that never really takes off. So we've put our heads together to highlight three common pitfalls - and how to avoid them:
Unaddressed critical needs
When key needs are not captured or not addressed during configuration, support from the clinicians involved in the design phase is often lost. Those who should be ambassadors for change instead turn away. The solution? A structured and inclusive needs analysis and design process where critical needs are identified, prioritized and either solved directly - or managed transparently by project management.
Overloaded working groups
Representing all the professions in an entire region, or several, can become overwhelming. Without the right support, it becomes difficult to make informed decisions on configuration and workflows. The key is for project management to provide structured decision support and ensure access to reference groups. This gives the business representatives in the working groups the right conditions to act wisely and confidently.
Lack of local support
When configuration decisions are not anchored in the local organization, skepticism, knowledge gaps - and in the worst case resistance - easily arise. By continuously anchoring decisions, asking for feedback and adapting to local needs, you build understanding, ownership and commitment in the recipient organization. This is what ultimately determines whether local preparations are carried out in a timely, structured and focused manner, and whether healthcare staff are motivated and invest time in the training - two crucial conditions for a smooth and successful roll-out.
The way forward?
See key people as more than users - see them as co-creators. Give them tools, mandates and clear processes. Then you can turn skepticism into engagement and create the momentum for change needed to make a new EHR a real benefit in healthcare.
Want to know more? Contact Mattias Lindberg, Director or Susanna Leidegrant, Senior Manager
