Strategies for Leading and Innovating in Healthcare

Dini Handayani, MD, MARS, FISQua, FIPC, is the Chief Medical Officer of Mayapada Healthcare Group (MHG) Indonesia and a member of the National Patient Safety Committee at the Indonesian Ministry of Health (MoH). With nearly 20 years of experience as a hospital administrator and a medical doctor specializing in Palliative Care Medicine, she has held various leadership roles at both the hospital and corporate levels.

Dr. Dini Handayani, Chief Medical Officer, Mayapada Healthcare [SRAJ:JK], brings a wealth of experience as a medical doctor and hospital manager. Beginning her career as a regular staff member, she quickly advanced from the hospital to the corporate level, gaining comprehensive operational knowledge. Her critical experience as a JCI surveyor, which exposed her to global healthcare practices, has been instrumental in her current role. This expertise is precious as Indonesia shifts towards welcoming foreign doctors and exploring international collaborations.

This exclusive interview highlights Dini Handayani’s strategic approach to overcoming challenges and enhancing patient care in healthcare management. It explores her innovative methods for integrating new technologies, fostering a motivated team and improving patient outcomes through data-driven practices and international collaborations.

AT A GLANCE:

• Addressing change management and staff resistance through strategic collaboration, clear communication and comprehensive training is essential for successfully integrating new systems and processes in healthcare settings.

• Implement data-driven decision-making, standardization and international benchmarking to improve patient outcomes, supported by partnerships with top global institutions and patient engagement programs.

• We are integrating AI and new technologies in clinical practices, focusing on stakeholder involvement, pilot testing and continuous support while maintaining a culture of open communication and adaptability to foster effective adoption.

Leading Change in Healthcare: A Collaborative Approach

One of the biggest challenges in the medical field is managing people and securing their support for new initiatives. Change management becomes particularly challenging when introducing new systems or processes, as staff often resist altering their established methods.

“Leading by example, embracing data-driven decision-making, and fostering adaptability is crucial for improving patient outcomes and motivating healthcare teams. Always engage with patients to drive significant organizational growth and excellence”

To address these challenges, I adopt a strategic approach that emphasizes collaborative problem-solving and clear communication. Involving stakeholders early in the process is essential. I also prioritize comprehensive training, support, and feedback mechanisms to facilitate smooth transitions and promote a positive attitude towards change.

Driving Healthcare Excellence: Data-Driven, Patient-Centric Strategies

To improve patient outcomes at Mayapada Healthcare, I implement several key strategies. We focus on data-driven decision-making, using performance indicators (KPIs) to align hospital and staff goals, ensuring everyone is engaged and working towards the same targets. Standardization is crucial in ensuring consistency and reducing variability in care delivery. We pursue accreditations and certifications, such as Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation and plan for clinical practice certifications in specialties like cardiology and stroke. By benchmarking against top institutions globally and partnering with the National University Hospital in Singapore and Apollo Hospital in India, our staff can learn from international best practices, significantly improving our nursing and physician practices.

Engaging patients through programs like the Patient Navigator, inspired by MD Anderson, supports oncology patients with education and treatment options. Our ‘What Matters to You’ program ensures patient preferences are considered during their hospital stay, enhancing their experience and involvement in their care.

Finally, fostering a culture of open incident reporting helps identify and address underlying issues, preventing the recurrence of errors. This approach has made our staff feel more comfortable reporting incidents and near-misses, contributing to ongoing improvements in patient safety and outcomes.

Transforming Healthcare with AI: A Strategic Integration

We are integrating new technologies, particularly AI, to enhance our clinical practices. Utilizing AI in radiology supports our radiologists, ensuring they feel engaged and not threatened by the technology. This initiative is part of our clinical research activities, with case studies and publications documenting our progress.

Involving critical stakeholders early in the process ensures a collaborative approach. Forming a steering committee gives everyone a voice, preventing a top-down implementation. We start with pilot testing to gauge acceptance and make necessary adjustments.

When collaborating with the National University Hospital of Singapore, we utilize AI to screen for non-communicable diseases. Continuous training and support for stakeholders are crucial; they have access to help and can report issues, ensuring they feel supported throughout the integration process. Our strategy emphasizes starting with small-scale implementations and gradually scaling up to effectively leverage new technologies.

Cultivating a Thriving Healthcare Workforce: Empowerment and Appreciation

I prioritize clear communication of vision and purpose in overseeing medical, ancillary support, nursing services, patient experience and quality. Regular meetings ensure each team member understands how their role contributes to our organization’s mission, helping them see the bigger picture and the impact of their work. Recognizing and appreciating staff contributions through public acknowledgment, awards and personal thank-you notes significantly boosts morale.

Promoting work-life balance remains another critical aspect of my leadership style. By offering flexibility with attendance and allowing staff to work from home when needed, provided they communicate their plans, I foster a supportive environment while maintaining performance standards.

My management approach also centers on empowerment and autonomy. I delegate responsibilities to give staff ownership of projects and provide mentorship and resources to support their development. Despite overseeing multiple hospitals, I maintain an open-door policy, ensuring accessibility to all staff members, regardless of location. This approach ensures everyone feels valued and connected, contributing to a positive and collaborative work environment.

Leading By Example: A Blueprint For Healthcare Leadership

Based on my experience, I advise healthcare leaders to lead by example, demonstrating the behaviors and standards they expect from their teams rather than just instructing them. Building a broad skill set that includes clinical expertise, management skills and technological proficiency is essential, particularly in becoming tech-savvy for future success.

Emotional intelligence plays a crucial role in leadership. Addressing issues with empathy and effective communication helps create a supportive environment where team members feel understood and valued. Adaptability and openness to change are also vital as the healthcare landscape evolves. Being agile and flexible is critical to personal and organizational success.

Commitment to continuous learning is essential. Engage in ongoing education, certifications and professional development to stay up to date with advancements in the field. Finally, embrace data-driven decision-making and actively engage with patients. Leveraging patient data to improve clinical outcomes and enhance services can lead to significant organizational improvements and growth.