Introduction
A mission statement helps define an organization’s overall purpose and vision (Hofstrand, 2016). It can be considered a guiding principle for making organizational decisions. Goals, on the other hand, are broad statements that describe the desired outcome of the program (Hofstrand, 2016). They provide a general direction for the organization to work towards and are usually more long-term. Objectives are specific, measurable, and time-bound statements that describe what the program aims to achieve (Hofstrand, 2016). They give specific steps for the organization so that it reaches the goals it sets.
The Necessity of the Elements in Healthcare
Developing mission statements, goals, and objectives is essential for public health professionals because it provides a clear path for the program’s purpose and direction. It ensures that everyone works on the same objectives and helps utilize resources effectively. In addition, well-defined mission statements, goals, and objectives provide a clear vision for evaluating the program’s success and making necessary changes to improve the impact in the organization.
To develop these critical elements, engaging in a participatory process involving all stakeholders is essential. To fully comprehend the community’s health needs and concerns, this method should include gathering data from a variety of sources. This information should then be used to identify key health issues and set program priorities. Once the priorities have been decided upon, the next stage is to create specific objectives. Achievable targets should be defined for the program, and the steps needed to reach these targets should be determined. The objectives should be aligned with the program’s overall goals and closely tied to the community’s health needs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, development of a mission statement, goals, and objectives is a complex process that requires people’s engagement with each activity and fair collaboration. Professionals in the health care industry can feel confident that the program aligns with the community’s goals by being present in a conversation and participating in the process. It also makes the program well-positioned for success and provokes consultative participation. Well-defined elements can provide a clear picture for evaluation and ensure that the program continues to impact the community positively.
Reference
Hofstrand, D. (2016). Vision and mission statements — a roadmap of where you want to go and how to get there. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Web.