Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/fixing-healthcare
The Coursera course ‘Fixing Healthcare Delivery’ tackles a critical and often overlooked aspect of modern medicine: preventable medical errors. With an alarming statistic that 100,000 patients die annually in the U.S. from such errors, this course aims to empower learners with the knowledge and tools to become part of the solution.
The syllabus is comprehensive, spanning eight modules that delve into various facets of improving healthcare delivery. It begins by framing the problem with a relatable case study, ‘Who is Caring for Mary?’, highlighting the personal impact of medical errors. The course then draws parallels from successful industries, exploring how principles from high-performing manufacturers, like the Toyota Production System, can be applied to healthcare to improve processes and reduce waste.
Teamwork is emphasized as a cornerstone of effective healthcare, with modules dedicated to understanding team dynamics, leveraging athletic principles for efficiency, and fostering self-improving teams. A significant portion of the course is dedicated to understanding and preventing human error, utilizing tools like root cause analysis, driver diagrams, and PDSA cycles. The famous red bead experiment by W. Edwards Deming is used to illustrate the impact of variation and the importance of reliability.
Beyond process improvement and error reduction, the course also focuses on leadership. It stresses the need for adaptive and distributive leadership, encouraging initiative from frontline caregivers. The final modules delve into the psychology of change, exploring why individuals and systems resist it, and how to overcome this ‘immunity to change.’ It also examines successful patient care initiatives and provides a framework for learners to create their own action plans to improve their specific healthcare environments.
Overall, ‘Fixing Healthcare Delivery’ is a highly recommended course for anyone involved in the healthcare industry, from providers and administrators to patients and advocates. It offers a practical, systems-thinking approach to a complex problem, equipping learners with actionable strategies to make a tangible difference. The course effectively blends theoretical knowledge with real-world examples, making it an insightful and empowering learning experience.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/fixing-healthcare