Context
Implementation will only succeed if local policy is aligned with national policy and with the political, economic or professional environment.
Align your project with current policy priorities.
If the technology is actively supported in policy, it will be easier to implement. If the priorities lie elsewhere, it may be worthwhile to try to align the work with them.
Address regulatory issues and challenges.
Check which regulations (from which regulatory bodies) are relevant to the introduction of the technology. Are all approvals already in place? If not, who do you need to work with to make progress on this point? See the section on due diligence requirements under the heading “Planning your implementation project”.
Ensure the establishment of inter-organizational networks or partnerships.
Complexe, organisatie brede veranderingen zijn een stuk eenvoudiger als mensen kunnen netwerken met hun collega’s in vergelijkbare organisaties – bijvoorbeeld in samenwerkingsverbanden voor kwaliteitsverbetering of scholing.
Keep a close eye on the external context.
External threats to an organization (such as economic turbulence) jeopardize change. Although such threats are often difficult to predict, it is a good idea to consider them. The following questions may help you do so:
· Are the new technology and proposed changes in service provision aligned with the strategic priorities for the broader health system, for example in terms of current health policy, national priorities for action and improvement?
· Are there incentives in the wider healthcare sector that reinforce the proposed change, e.g. performance-related pay schemes, legal requirements, etc.?
· Are there existing inter-organizational networks (e.g. specialized clinical networks) that will be useful in supporting the proposed changes?
How stable or unstable is healthcare in general – and how might this affect the implementation project?