Top 5 Challenges in Healthcare Project Management 

Healthcare project management plays an essential role in any healthcare organization. It enables you to better control costs, reduce risks, and improve the productivity of your team. Your goal is to optimize your use of resources while achieving your healthcare objectives for your organization. As you manage your healthcare projects, you'll face a few challenges in healthcare project management, which we'll explore in this article. You'll also see how TempDev's team of project management, EHR, and revenue cycle experts can help you overcome those challenges.  

What Is Healthcare Project Management? 

With healthcare project management, you prepare, plan, implement, and manage the projects at your organization. With the proper project management support, you can ease staff workload, improve communication, stay on budget, and keep you all on track with your project. TempDev's team of NextGen experts offers the products and services you need whether you work with a small clinic or large sophisticated organization including multi-site, multi-specialty practices.  

Why Is Healthcare Project Management Important? 

Healthcare project management allows your organization to meet its goals more efficiently. It's a streamlined approach that can help you better manage your team while they support the needs of your patients. With TempDev's support, you can quickly and easily plan and implement your project, without worrying about the risks or roadblocks that could throw you off track.  

What Is Healthcare Project Management Software? 

Only about 22% of medical organizations use healthcare project management software. The project managers who use software are 77% more likely to oversee a successful project. TempDev's team of project management experts can help you implement the project management software that will work for your organization. They can also assist with the system selection and configuration of the software you choose so you can successfully deploy new software that works for your organization.

Project management software can help to ensure that all the resources know what their tasks are, communicate about their status, and understand what is expected of them. The project manager should make sure it's consistently updated so that all stakeholders know what progress is being made towards the successful completion of the project.

Top 5 Challenges in Managing Healthcare Projects 

Healthcare project management offers a range of powerful benefits, but it also has its share of drawbacks and challenges. Here are the top 5 benefits you'll probably face when you manage your healthcare projects.  

1. Heavy Regulatory Requirements 

The fact that you're working in the healthcare industry means you face a range of specialized confidentiality and privacy regulations designed to protect your patients. Here are just a few of the regulations you should keep in mind:  

While 2021 marked the 25th year since HIPAA was implemented, you still need to track the trends that will impact your organization. As a healthcare program manager, you need to be aware of overlapping priorities when dealing with healthcare regulatory changes that arise.

2. Data Backups and Privacy 

Over the last few years, 93% of healthcare organizations had a data breach. More than 57% of organizations had more than five breaches. With so much at risk, with vulnerabilities from cyber attacks, you need protection from experts who can shield your practice from loss. TempDev's team helps ensure that you have all your data, development, and project work routinely backed up to minimize losses.

3. Dependency on External Professional Services 

As so much of the healthcare industry has outsourced professional services over the last few years, it's likely that you and your team are relying on external expertise for your healthcare program management. You rely on external services because you can tap into the talent and ability you need in a way that's more cost-effective and efficient. With TempDev's professional services that can help with subject matter expertise, project management, development, or analysis so your project stays on track.

4. Inconsistent Change Control

Healthcare project managers need to assure proper change control is followed to meet regulatory (SOX) or patient data requirements. Often time team members don't understand or move through change control inconsistently. Project managers should build the proper change control methodologies into their project plans.

5. Lack of Proper Change Methodology 

One of the biggest challenges in healthcare project management is the fear of change, or the lack of mechanisms that encourage change. It could be the lack of proper communication, the inability to build and foster trust, or an absence of the leadership skills that would inspire and motivate your team. A strong project manager will provide leadership to exhibit consistent and thorough execution of the project to help build trust among stakeholders and resources.

How Do You Improve Quality and Performance With Project Management?  

Healthcare certified project management professionals (PMPs) must be aware of and prepared to address regulatory issues, but they must consider the needs of patients and physicians. Beyond the educational background and certifications, they will also need healthcare project management software and a team of experienced healthcare staff.  

With support from TempDev's team of NextGen experts, you can identify and fix issues with your project management process and get back to routinely completing projects successfully.

How TempDev Can Help  

TempDev's NextGen consultants, developers, and trainers support project management needs whether you're looking to implement, switch, or even upgrade your current system. TempDev offers custom dashboards, revenue cycle consulting, automation, and workflow redesign. You'll find the tools and resources you need, with top tips and tricks that will ensure your success. 

Contact us here or by calling us at 888.TEMP.DEV to schedule a consultation and get the help you need.