Determining
Needs and Setting Priorities for Systems Change
Self
Assessment
Self-assessment
is a diagnostic process rather than a report card. It is a common
first step used by businesses and organizations that are seeking
to implement change in a variety of complex settings. Self-assessment
helps us think through what we are doing, why we are doing it, and
what we must do next. The process of self-assessment itself stimulates
communication and leads to change. (See the Drucker
Foundation Self-Assessment Tool in Resources)
Please
note: This
link takes you outside the Better Diabetes Care website. The NDEP does not endorse
or otherwise guarantee the accuracy of links that take you off this website.
Note |
Self-assessment
helps us think through what we are doing, why we
are doing it, and what we must do next. The process
of self-assessment itself stimulates communication
and leads to change. |
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While
our ultimate goal is improved diabetes outcomes such as incidence
of complications, self-assessment and the tools discussed here focus
on the process of change. Self-assessment provides a roadmap to
order priorities, plan change, and direct energies. Self-assessment
only becomes useful if it is systematically followed by action steps
that are consistent with the observations and that drive forward
the effort to change. Consider consulting with the business and
management partners in your healthcare system for guidance.
Self-assessment only becomes useful if it is systematically followed
by action steps that are consistent with the observations and that
drive forward the effort to change.
The
medical diagnostic process isn't all that different from the process
of health systems change:
- one
gathers available data
- determines
the gaps in needed information
- seeks
consultation to fill those gaps, and
- follows
the patient's progress.
Treatment
may be initiated before all the facts are in, but the plan is always
incremental and changes are made based on clinical evaluation feedback.
Note |
Self-assessment
only becomes useful if it is systematically followed
by action steps that are consistent with the observations
and that drive forward the effort to change. |
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How
Self-Assessment Can Help
Self-assessment
for systems change can help you:
- Get
organized
- Identify
immediate tasks and long-term goals
- Develop
insight into unfamiliar aspects of the system
- Help
you prepare for agency accreditation
- Set
priorities
- Identify
areas of weakness and strength
- Find
out what others think are important components of health systems
change
- Coordinate
efforts
- Promote
team work and staff development
- Encourage
interdepartmental coordination
- Monitor
change
- Consider
evaluation from the beginning: What are we trying to improve,
how will we know that change is an improvement?
- Monitor
progress toward desired goals
- Identify
resources
- Determine
resources, collaborations, or partnerships that you have or
need to develop
- Clarify
budget needs and provide data for discussion with administration
- Identify
duplication and wasted effort
-Return
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-Return Home-
Continue to
Needs: Practice Redesign |
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