Message from AHVAP President
Let’s Build the Polarity
Dear AHVAP Members and Colleagues:
In our continuous journey to elevate healthcare value analysis to new heights, it becomes imperative to explore innovative approaches and integrate them into our practice. Recently, I was exposed to a groundbreaking book, "Polarity Intelligence," and how its principles can be profoundly applicable and transformative in the context of healthcare value analysis.
"Polarity Intelligence" sheds light on the concept of managing polarities or opposites and harnessing their dynamic interplay to achieve greater outcomes. Unlike problems that can be solved once and for all, polarities — such as cost versus quality, or innovation versus standardization — are interdependent values that need to be balanced over time.
As healthcare value analysis professionals, we navigate complex decisions daily, balancing seemingly contradictory priorities to optimize patient care, cost-effectiveness, and product efficacy. Here's how the insights from "Polarity Intelligence" can guide our work:
- Recognizing Polarities: The first step is to identify the polarities in our work. For instance, a common polarity we face is between cost containment and ensuring the highest quality of care. Recognizing these as polarities rather than problems to be solved can shift our strategy from choosing one over the other to finding a dynamic balance.
- Mapping the Polarity: Creating a polarity map can help visualize the upsides and downsides of focusing too much on one pole to the neglect of the other. This exercise can illuminate potential pitfalls and highlight the benefits of maintaining a balance, guiding more nuanced decision-making.
- Leveraging Polarity Intelligence for Strategic Decision-Making: With an understanding of the polarities at play, we can craft strategies that leverage the strengths of each pole while mitigating the weaknesses. For example, when evaluating new medical devices, we can balance the polarity of innovation versus cost-effectiveness by developing criteria that value both cutting-edge technology and fiscal responsibility. As your Board of Directors, we are charged with taking AHVAP and our specialty to new heights by driving an integrated strategic plan and bridging relationships with stakeholders across the healthcare continuum.
- Enhancing Team Collaboration and Communication: Polarity intelligence encourages open dialogue about polarities, fostering a culture where diverse perspectives are valued. This can lead to more creative and comprehensive solutions, as team members feel empowered to express concerns and contribute to a balanced approach.
- Sustaining Balance Over Time: The dynamic nature of polarities means that balance is not a one-time achievement but a continuous effort. Regularly revisiting our polarity maps and strategies ensures that we remain responsive to changes in healthcare landscapes, patient needs, and technological advancements. Innovation in healthcare saves lives and drives advancement of evidence-based practices. It takes a formidable partnership with our Industry Partners to drive innovation in the medical product and device space. Healthcare Value Analysis is all about balance and managing multiple priorities that directly influence clinical patient care. As a specialty, we must never lose sight that the patient is at the very center of our efforts.
Embracing polarity intelligence offers a transformative approach to healthcare value analysis. By acknowledging and balancing the inherent polarities in our work, we can enhance decision-making, foster innovation, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. As we move forward together as a specialty, let's integrate polarity intelligence into our everyday practice, embracing the complexities of our work with a renewed perspective and strategy.
We encourage all healthcare value analysis professionals to explore the principles of "Polarity Intelligence" further and consider how its application can enrich your professional practice and contribute to the overarching goal of delivering value-driven healthcare.
Sincerely,
Karen Niven, MS, BSN, RN, FACHDM, CVAHP™, FNAP, FAHVAP
President, Board of Directors
AHVAP
