Dubai Health Authority has designed the world’s first comprehensive healthcare change management framework and is currently highlighting this framework at international conferences.

This is yet another first for the Emirate and the idea behind this framework is to have a structured three-year change management roadmap to help uplift the health sector and create a stimulating and motivating environment for employees.

The framework has been designed in collaboration with GE Healthcare.

Patient care and satisfaction are at the heart of this framework and DHA officials said that patients will be able to witness noticeable improvements in the quality of health services within a year from today.

Factors such as waiting time, appointment systems, empowering patients with digital tools such as apps etc. will be part of the changes the community can expect.

The transformation framework is one of the components of the overall change management programme at the Authority.

The other pillars of the programme include the Awtaad initiative, which will qualify more than 180 DHA employees in change management and culture transformation.

The initiative began in May this year and out of 383 applicants, 52 were selected. Of those, 48 graduated; they are now change agents to help the Authority achieve its goals in change management transformation.

HE Humaid Al Qutami, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority said, “The healthcare transformation journey is important to create a stimulating and motivating environment for employees as well as to provide patients with the highest-quality of patient centric care and convenience. Change management is an effective way of achieving these goals in a fast and efficient manner.”

The Authority will implement several change management mechanisms that include training and education, stakeholder engagement including community engagement etc.

Dr. Mohammed Al Redha, Director of Project Management Office said, “Change Management addresses cultural changes that are essential throughout the life of any healthcare organization. The development of the framework was the first step, now we will move towards its implementation. It is a three-year project, over the course of this time we will implement and measure a number of programmes to help achieve improvements in organizational processes, methodology, healthcare provision as well as patient care and satisfaction.”

He said the core of the transformation strategy is to ensure better patient outcomes and to contribute to improved community healthcare. “Change management is necessary for all organizations and the way forward to achieve effective management and optimal services.”

The Authority will also carry out a culture assessment and transformation process as part of the overall transformation journey.