A county health department wants to increase the number of Medicaid beneficiaries that participate in prenatal care. It knows that only 40 percent of the expectant mothers eligible for prenatal care fully use the benefit. Many of these target customers make only one or two prenatal visits and then drop out of the program. Most of these women visit the emergency room if they have problems during pregnancy, and also come to the emergency room when they are in labor. For a clear and effective strategy include the following points;
Define at least four questions you would need to ask in order to write a SWOT analysis.
Write vision and mission statements for the county health department that provides services to pregnant women.
Write at least four objectives for the department. In your objectives, try to address the problem presented in the scenario.
Resource:
Fry, A., M.B.A., & Baum, N., M.D. (2016). A roadmap for strategic planning in the healthcare practice. The Journal of Medical Practice Management: MPM, 32(2), 146-149. Retrieved from https://su.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rzh&AN=118905612&site=eds-live
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
SWOT Analysis Questions
Strengths:
What resources does the county health department have that can be leveraged to increase the number of Medicaid beneficiaries participating in prenatal care?
What are the department’s past successes in promoting prenatal care and what strategies were effective?
Weaknesses:
What are the barriers preventing expectant mothers from fully utilizing the prenatal care benefit?
Are there any limitations or gaps in the department’s current services or programs for pregnant women?
Opportunities:
Are there any new funding opportunities or partnerships that could be pursued to enhance prenatal care services?
Are there any emerging trends or research findings that could inform innovative approaches to prenatal care?
Threats:
Are there any external factors, such as changes in Medicaid policies or regulations, that could impact the availability or accessibility of prenatal care services?
Are there any competing healthcare providers or organizations offering alternative options for expectant mothers?
Vision and Mission Statements
Vision Statement: To ensure that every pregnant woman in the county receives high-quality, comprehensive prenatal care, promoting healthy pregnancies and positive birth outcomes.
Mission Statement: The county health department is dedicated to providing accessible, culturally sensitive, and evidence-based prenatal care services to all Medicaid beneficiaries, empowering expectant mothers to make informed decisions and enhancing the health and well-being of both mother and child.
Objectives
Increase the percentage of expectant mothers eligible for prenatal care who fully utilize the Medicaid benefit from 40% to 60% within two years.
Reduce the number of expectant mothers who drop out of the prenatal care program after one or two visits by 50% within one year.
Increase the number of prenatal visits per expectant mother from an average of two visits to a minimum of four visits throughout their pregnancy within three years.
Establish partnerships with community organizations and healthcare providers to expand access to prenatal care services and improve coordination of care for pregnant women.
These objectives aim to address the problem presented in the scenario by increasing utilization of the Medicaid benefit, reducing drop-out rates, increasing the number of prenatal visits, and enhancing collaboration with external stakeholders. By achieving these objectives, the county health department can improve the continuity and quality of prenatal care for expectant mothers, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for both mothers and babies.
