How to approach strategic planning in uncertain times

Stephen A. Dickens, JD, MAEd, FACMPE, vice president of medical practice services at SVMIC, shares how he advises medical practices to approach strategic planning in a time of rapid change and uncertainty. Dickens explains that traditional long-term planning models — three-, five-, or ten-year roadmaps — have become less useful in today’s dynamic health care environment. Instead, he encourages a more flexible and responsive approach that helps practices adapt to what’s next without being paralyzed by the unknown.

Dickens says that while it's important for practices to stay informed about external factors, it's equally important not to get lost in trying to control what can’t be controlled. “Know what’s going on, understand what's going on and how it might impact you — but then focus on what [you] do know,” he says. He urges physicians to focus on their core mission: caring for patients. That, he believes, is where they find the most meaning and joy — and where they can maintain a sense of purpose even when the broader landscape feels unsettled. “You can’t be miserable everywhere,” he adds. “If they can find some happiness, it gives them a little bit of relief in the other areas.”