Innovative thinking and the future of health care!

In a world where it sometimes feels better to “stay the course,” it’s both exciting and refreshing to watch a new process unfold.

Led by Winjie Miao, President of Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Azle, and supported by a strong cast from the Center for Learning at Texas Health Resources, a small group of intrepid explorers are about to embark on a virtual journey to the future.

This dozen or so employees, representing a wide spectrum of experiences and skills are charged with “future thinking” their way to a new vision of health care delivery by Texas Health. To what model will health care morph, five, ten, twenty years from now? What should it look like? These employees hope to create a vision that will help us get to that reality.

Make no mistake. The future of health care will look much different that it does today, regardless of what is accomplished in the US Congress. As the demographics evolve, we will need to look ahead and be ready for an aging population. Bricks and mortar alone will not get the job done. New structures in health care delivery will need to be created to meet the growing needs of our communities. New ways to enhance disease prevention and disease management will be mandated – failure to do so will result in health care drowning in a sea of acute care needs with no lifeboat in sight.

Starting at the end of this month, this group will begin working on what the next generation of health care delivery will look like. Congratulations to all the members of the team for their willingness to think outside the box. Congratulations to Texas Health for its willingness to support and nurture such innovation.

Now, we would like to hear from you. What do you think the next generation of health care delivery looks like? Leave us a comment!

- Dr. Joe Prosser, chief quality officer
Texas Health Fort Worth
Texas Health Azle