SWOT analysis for Nurses and Health care environments. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats in a healthcare environment. SWOT – for management, mentoring and nursing Hospital nursing soot analysis SWOT analysis is a tool that can provide prompts to the managers, clinical leads, nurse tutors, nurse mentors and staff involved in the analysis of what is effective and less effective in clinical systems and procedures, in preparation for a plan of some form (that could be an audit (ICQ), assessments, quality checks etc. In fact a SWOT can be used for any planning or analysis activity which could impact future finance, planning and management decisions. It can enable you (the management& clinical staff to carry out a more comprehensive analysis.
Definitions of SWOT Strengths
– Factors that are likely to have a positive effect on (or be an enabler to) achieving the clinic’s objectives
Weaknesses – Factors that are likely to have a negative effect on (or be a barrier to) achieving the clinic’s objectives
Opportunities – External Factors that are likely to have a positive effect on achieving or exceeding the clinic’s objectives, or goals not previously considered
Threats – External Factors and notations that are likely to have a negative effect on achieving the clinic’s objectives, or making the objective redundant or UN-achievable.
Before starting any planning or analysis process you need to have a clear and SMART goal or objective. What is it that you need to achieve or solve? Ensure that all key stakeholders (relevant to the issue being explored) buy into this objective or goal. Then undertake a PESTLE analysis (or PESTLE in Clinics), this will provide you with the external factors (TO). Use the PRIMP-F model to ensure all internal factors are considered Conducting a SWOT analysis in a clinical environment
One of the most effective ways to conduct a SWOT analysis is not in isolation, but with a team effort. When the goal is shared, then a brainstorming session can be run. Ensure than when running such a session it is facilitated by a person not involved with the content – this is best with an independent person. If budgets do not allow this – then talk to another establishments head, and arrange a contra deal. SOOT By Clubbed
SOOT By Clubbed
1 . Share the goal 2. Data collection (no filtering or comments – record verbatim) consider all areas of PRIMP-F 3.
2. Data collection (no filtering or comments – record verbatim) consider all areas of PRIMP-F 3.
3. Take a break of at least 1 hrs 4. Filter,
4. Filter, sort and analyses into the 4 areas – SOOT – be critical and SMART avoid ambiguous statements or ideas at this stage
5. Priorities the elements Have a second session where the planning phase takes this data and puts it into a realistic plan.
IMPORTANT TIP – do not hide or underestimate threats or weaknesses – if you ignore them or underplay them now they will come back to haunt you at some stage – probably when they can do most damage!
The goal of any session like this is not necessarily to neutralist any weakness or threat – that is impossible – but to have it on your radar – and where possible take voiding action. To some extent it is all about risk. What sort of tasks and issues can this be used for? At its most complex and comprehensive, it can be used for business planning, however it is also of value to solving localized issues and challenges.
An Example of a nursing based SWOT We will use an example of a nurse working within a primary care clinic who want to improve the relationship with their patients.
