Listen to our debrief of the Academy's Fall 2023 Leading Health System (LHS) Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) Forum. In our debrief, we shared what these executives discussed with their peers, including what CSOs are working on right now.
Below are key takeaways for what is top of mind for CSOs and what you need to know going into your next conversation with them:
Workforce Woes: CSOs struggle with staffing shortages, high turnover, and rising workplace violence. This limits expansion plans and strains existing services.
Cost-Cutting Focus: Financial performance is a top priority. Many CSOs rely on external consultants to find savings, with mixed results. Non-profits face pressure to improve efficiency before expansion.
Multiple Growth Strategies: CSOs juggle multiple growth paths amidst limited resources and a changing healthcare landscape. Strategies include exploring new care models, consumer experiences, and market expansion.
Disruption Concerns: Local, PE-backed groups are seen as the biggest competitive threat. The future of patient-physician relationships remains uncertain, raising questions about primary care models and affordability.
AI Potential & Challenges: CSOs are cautious about AI safety and Epic's EHR dominance. They explore alternatives for data management and see AI as a potential transformer, but emphasize the need for strong change management and patient-friendly adoption.