The CIO's position in today's emerging health care system: lessons learned.

The integrated delivery network is a new concept. Using information technology as a rallying point has allowed people to come together in a non-threatening way. They discuss new ideas and possibilities for improving the performance of their individual institution and thus, the entire Network. How quickly and how well business adapts to this new model will dictate long-term viability in the marketplace. Technology will not be the limiting factor to success in this new endeavor. It will be a facilitator that can help the organizational transition from single institutions to an IDN. The challenge is in managing how well personnel accept this change and seek ways to work together in this new endeavor. The ability to perform competently at these new levels comes from the ability to perform as a senior executive, acting in partnership and peer relationships as a facilitator and leader. To manage the change required in these new organizations, there must be common vision, the creation of new roles, agreed upon priorities, flexibility, and standardization when necessary. While there is not one right solution, leadership and shared vision and the ability to deliver are key success factors.

The job search and information systems opportunities for nurses.

It is important to continually upgrade your skills and goals, examine career options, and be flexible. This is an ideal point in the growth of health care information systems for nurses to consider before becoming actively involved. The future of our industry will be total health care systems expanding far beyond hospitals. There is and will be a greater need to provide information for decision making in the vast areas of alternative delivery, preventative medicine, industrial and occupational medicine, and the adult long-term care market. Large, non-health care corporations and business coalitions will have a strong influence on our industry. Terminals will be set up in the workplace for early detection of disease and to provide wellness programs. Due to severe financial pressures, we will finally be forced to use our technology for medical research and to provide access to national data bases to provide better health care and allow for prevention, early detection, and a faster cure of some diseases. The nurse consultant will play a major role in this area. This evolution will happen only over time. As many mergers take place among the major health care vendors, we can only wonder what this does to our industry. As larger consolidated corporations sort their priorities, entrepreneurs will have the ideal opportunity to use their creative ability to provide products and services to the industry. The survivors will be those firms and institutions providing the best and most flexible service at a competitive price. What is important in this market is the people. They must be global thinkers with an understanding of the present and future of the health care market. They must be managers who are flexible and able to creatively use resources and technology. In both a profit and nonprofit environment, these leaders will be required to be risk takers, decision makers, and operate in a proactive manner. They will need to be entreprenurial and be open to joint venturing. The health care systems industry will only gain in importance in the next 4 years and will be nothing less than dynamic.