How We Think
ABOUT HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS
Whether private or public, the vast majority of healthcare systems are constantly under enormous pressure. Although operating models are different, the common denominator to both systems is the obligation to treat and prevent diseases. Our data-backed observations indicate that future-proof healthcare systems are those who invest in increasing Healthy Life Years. Because building more hospitals attracts more sick. And having more sick brings down your economy. It's data. Not opinions.
ABOUT HEALTHCARE SERVICES
Healthcare 'customers' are usually sick or injured and under considerable stress. Healthcare is a 'need' rather than a 'want' service. Healthcare services are inherently personal. Other services do not require people to bare themselves emotionally and physically to the degree required by healthcare. Healthcare services need to be tailored not only to a patient's specific medical condition but also to the patient's age, personality, preferences, religious beliefs, family situation, education level and financial constraints. Serious conditions intensify the need for a 'whole-person' service. Finally, patients are always at risk of being harmed beyond their existing medical problems. From medication errors to hospital-acquired infections, a lot can go wrong in the delivery of healthcare services. At Seha, we're constantly aware of these intricate challenges and very mindful about the context within which we drive and implement change. The patient's interest and wellbeing are the highest prorities to be considered - And that drives everything we do!
WE ARE NOT A VENDOR
Vendors refill the soda machine in your lobby. You tell them to put a fizzy drink in the machine and they put a fizzy drink in the machine. We’re a partner. You tell us to do something and we’re going to ask you why. We’re going to talk about how that maps to a goal. And if it doesn’t map to a goal, we’ll talk you out of it. We’re the experts at what we do. That’s why you hired us. You’re the experts at what you do. That’s why we’re working together. There needs to be trust and respect on both sides. We’re not doing it for you, we’re doing it with you.
WE ENGAGE AT EVERY LEVEL
Your projects won’t succeed unless all your stakeholders understand what you’re saying, so they’re the people we listen to the most. Think of it this way: if you understand, you’re happy. If they understand? -You’re successful. Which we're told can also lead to happiness of a sort.
RESEARCH IS NOT NEGOTIABLE
We can’t solve a problem until we understand it. That means we need to study it. That means we need to talk to your stakeholders, your partners, your patient communities and we need to talk to your employees. Once we understand the problem together, then we can begin to design solutions for it. Every hour we spend on research saves us ten hours down the road. You’re not saving any time by attempting to cut it. Trust us.
CYBER SECURITY IS YOUR SPINE. KEEP IT UP
Healthcare and health exchange organisations need to walk the thin line of protecting their data while sharing it. Because of the obvious implications of cyber-threats on both patients and your business, if you have to incur budget cuts, cyber security is probably the only function that shouldn't be affected. Secure-by-Design is not an option, it's a must. Our Protect & Share™ program will add a measurable value to your business.
AVOIDING THE WORLD'S MOST ANNOYING CONVERSATION
No one likes difficult conversations, but there’s one conversation that's worse beyond all others. That’s the one where you call us about six months after your project launches. Telling us the project failed. And that your department lost its credibility. Or that you’ve been fired. Or that you’ve had to lay off staff. We never want to have that conversation. To date, we haven’t had to. That’s because we’re willing to have all the difficult conversations during the project that keep that conversation from happening. So if we’re working together and we’re being stubborn, or we won’t let go of something, or we refuse to give in, or we won’t let you have something you really want, it’s because we know it leads to the conversation neither of us want to have. We’d rather fight for your success and we’re not afraid to have healthy debates and strong conversations with you.
Our public and private healthcare transformation projects, workshops and facilitation help healthcare organisations use the lessons we’ve learned over many years. In turn, private and public healthcare systems can be as good as they can possibly be. Our goal, as always, remains to help patients and citizens add more years to life and life to years. We’re here to level the playing field. And sometimes that takes a bulldozer.