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Book ‘‘Innovations in Healthcare Management: Cost-Effective and Sustainable Solutions”, written by VK Singh & Paul Lillrank, bags coveted Shingo Publication Award
A Book “Innovations in Healthcare Management: Cost-Effective and Sustainable Solutions”, jointly written by an Indian Doctor and a Finnish Professor, Dr. VK Singh and Paul Lillrank respectively, has been picked for this year’s coveted Shingo publication award.
The award recognizes and promotes writing that has had a significant impact and advances the body of knowledge regarding operational excellence. The Shingo Institute is most interested in recognizing thought leadership.
The book was published in the USA in 2015. Special Indian edition published in 2017.
Elated over the achievement, a beaming Dr Singh has told newspersons recently that a team of Shingo examiners judged the book on the various yardsticks, “and then observed Singh and Paul have written a thoughtful and engaging book describing various aspects of healthcare management innovations and the journey organizations have followed to streamline the delivery of healthcare while facing unique challenges. The book was written by the two authors using 34 contributors and compiled into 22 chapters of interesting content covering a wide range of topics. Most of the chapters provide a snapshot of approaches taken to improve healthcare management but do not delve into the roadmap for implementation.
The examiners said the book would be a good companion guide to stoke innovative thinking for those involved with a healthcare system.
Innovations in Healthcare Management covers a wide range of topics that can be used to create a Lean transformation roadmap. Not only does the book cover the systemic burning platforms shared by various healthcare organizations (i.e. improve quality, reduce cost, improve patient satisfaction), but the book puts a high value on healthcare improvement from the end-user perspective. Additionally, the book identifies opportunities that impacted communities, supply chain, and stakeholders.
According to them, the book adds to the existing body of knowledge by providing not only tools and techniques for transforming an organization, but also includes real-world examples of Lean transformation within healthcare organizations such as Tan Tock Seng Hospital in Singapore, Stanford Health Care, and the Mayo Clinic. Also, there are examples of Lean tools such as A3, Just in Time, and Quantitative versus Qualitative impact analysis.
The book provides a comprehensive approach to Lean transformation within diverse healthcare environments.
It is full of insights and supported with real examples that benefit the reader regardless of Lean knowledge or level of experience.
On the impact front, they said the demonstrated impact for Innovations in Healthcare Management on the body of knowledge is difficult to ascertain. The number of books sold is not reported. However, it can be inferred there is demand and there has been sufficient impact to justify a second printing with a special Indian edition.
The book has been prescribed in Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) prestigious institutes established by Government of India. The authors indicate in the application that the book has reached all continents, there has been “very big demand” in the USA and Europe, and demand in India is “huge”.
There are 12 endorsements from a very impressive list of healthcare experts from the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, India, United States, Tanzania, Brunei, South Africa, Sweden, and the Cayman Islands. This information all indicates there is some level of impact being made. However, sales figures and the number of books sold is not available from the publisher or any other resource. A general online search does not generate any appreciable insight on demonstrated impact.
The examiners said the premise of the book is quite simple: “A lot can be done with a little. It is reducing healthcare delivery cost yet maintaining quality through technology, innovation, and various quality models like Lean and others.”
The authors’ statement that “trying to do more with more ends up accomplishing less with more” is the reason for any organization to embrace becoming Lean. The examples in this book describe the successful actions taken inpatient treatment goals of better healthcare in less patient time. The authors have done a great job of compiling a wealth of knowledge from across the globe to demonstrate how innovation, technology, and Lean principles can transform the delivery of quality healthcare and reduce costs.
Healthcare is a troubled industry all over the world. There are new approaches in this book we can all learn from. At the same time, what is needed in America may not be the same as what is needed or will work in India with over 500 million people and incredible levels of poverty. In essence, the book focuses on a country with lesser developed infrastructure, and therefore the problems encountered are not unique to India, but also not universal.
The institute which conferred the award said Innovations in Healthcare Management is a compilation of 22 articles from 34 contributors and two authors. The styles of writing used in the articles flow together quite well and contribute effectively to the authors’ objectives. The stories and examples provided throughout the book offer compelling ideas for understanding how to positively impact the delivery of healthcare from Britain, United States, Singapore, and India.
The book contains many simple illustrations and is grounded with facts and visual examples. All of the articles are well referenced. The summary at the end of each chapter provides a linkage back to the overall premise. The book is an easy read and effective at getting the reader to understand the concepts.
Examiners agreed that there are many takeaways in the publication. The authors successfully support the premise that more can be done with less. They prove that people can be very creative and innovative when faced with a meaningful challenge that can be embraced. They also effectively show the importance of relationship management between the patient, medical staff, and ancillary stakeholders and dispel the concept that patient care only occurs between the hospital and the patient.
Additionally, not all the important healthcare innovations have come from the USA, as India is becoming a leading innovator in healthcare, and others can learn from them.
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