Feasibility Study: Proposal Overview

Write an introduction to a feasibility study. Complete the first two sections of a feasibility study based on a scenario of your choice.

Introduction

A feasibility study in health care is part of a strategic plan designed to examine a need, or perceived need, within a health care organization. It is the process of investigating and analyzing the viability of idea and answering a broad range of questions. For decision makers, it is an essential element to prevent the wrong decision from being made, or to validate that the idea being studied is the right choice to make.

For your feasibility study, you may draw upon an actual experience in your current workplace, or use the case study provided. If you choose to develop a study based on your actual work situation, please be certain that:

  • You have talked to your supervisor, manager, or director to determine if the policies of your organization allow for the use of internal proprietary information.
  • You have access to the data you will need to complete the study.
  • The “Organization Background” section of the study provides enough information for a reader to understand the nature and complexity of your organization.

Many learners are employed by large, complex health systems; these cautions are provided to make sure you can meet the requirements of the feasibility study.

If you choose your own workplace, please pick one of the following options on which to base your feasibility study. If you want to use a different situation, please contact your faculty.

You have been asked by the CEO of your organization to develop a feasibility study for one of the following:

  • To address a market opportunity.
  • To mediate a systemic problem.
  • To address an issue in quality.

If you prefer, you may choose to develop a feasibility study using the following case study:

  • Makamson, E. L. (2006). Whittaker Memorial Hospital. Journal of the International Academy for Case Studies, 12(5), 83–92.
    • The scenario: You have been asked by the CEO of the hospital to present a project or program that will help save the hospital.

Although the case study is dated 2006, health care organizations—large and small—still face the issues presented in the study. The health care landscape changes frequently with bankruptcy, and consolidations are a very frequent occurrence.

Resources

Use the following template and article to guide the development of your feasibility study:

 

 

Feasibility Study Template

To use this template:

This template provides the required sections you need to complete for the course project. Explanations and elements to consider have been provided for each section. Retain the headings but delete the explanatory text once you have completed each section.

Section I: Organization Background

This first section provides the background needed to place your proposed new program in context (some of the examples may not apply to some organizations). The specific information you provide in this section is driven by your selected course project. Examples of the information to include are:

·         The organization’s mission and vision.

·         The current client base it serves.

·         Current revenue streams.

·         Staffing.

·         Tax status.

Most of this information may be obtained on the organization website, annual report, or annual IRS filing. Be sure you properly cite your sources.

Make sure to delete all of the explanatory text for this section.

Section II: Objectives of the Proposed Program

This section describes the rationale and objectives for the proposed new program. For example:

·         Why is this program being considered for your organization?

·         What do you expect the program to accomplish for the organization?

·         What systems issues will it address; what new services will be provided, or existing systems modified?

·         Who will be the patients that benefit from the program? How will they benefit?

·         What evidence do you have that patients want or need the program?

Again, be sure to support your statements and properly cite your sources.

Make sure to delete all of the explanatory text for this section.

Section III: Program Consistency

This section describes how the proposed new program fits with existing programs. How well does the program align with the following?

·         The organization’s mission.

·         Existing programs and services.

·         Programs offered by competitors.

Make sure to delete all of the explanatory text for this section.

Section IV: Economic and Fiscal Issues

This section should analyze the potential fiscal issues for the proposed program. Some things to consider include:

·         Are there economic issues that affect the development of the proposed program? Things like local/regional unemployment, shifting population/demographics, and so on?

·         How could the program affect the local and regional economy?

·         Are there sources for potential funding for your program?

o   Private insurance

o   Medicare/Medicaid

o   Private pay

o   State medical assistance

o   Grant funding

·         What is a broad estimate of the costs associated with implementing and maintaining the program? (Use general categories)

Support your statements with properly cited sources.

Make sure to delete all of the explanatory text for this section.

Section V: Marketing Issues

This section describes marketing-related issues for the proposed program, including marketing demographics, strategy, and competition. Include things such as:

·         Does the program affect the marketing of the organization?

·         What are the key market segments for the organization? Describe the demographics.

·         Is there competition for the program? Why is this program better?

·         What is the source of your information? (Data from government sources, trade organizations, and professional organizations are the most reliable.)

Support your statements and be sure you properly cite your sources.

Make sure to delete all of the explanatory text for this section.

Section VI: Organizational Issues

This section assesses how the proposed new program may impact the entire organization, not just different departments. Examples of this include:

·         Regulatory and policy implications.

·         New licenses or certificates for the organization or staff members.

·         Tax status. Will the program affect the tax status of the organization?

·         Liability and risk management.

·         Required space for the program.

·         Is there literature to support the effectiveness of the program?

Support your statements and properly cite your sources.

Make sure to delete all of the explanatory text for this section.

Section VII: Conclusion and Recommendations

This section synthesizes the information into clear goals and objectives, summarizes key content supporting the new program, and includes recommendations. 

·         Based on all of the information in this study, what course of action do you recommend for the organization?

Make sure to delete all of the explanatory text for this section.

 

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