Lessons in healthcare innovation part 2: The birth of Spira Care.

Lessons + insights from S1E3 of BarkleyOKRP’s Healthcare Champions Podcast

In the ever-evolving world of healthcare, innovation is not just a buzzword but a necessity. As Sam Meers, host of the Healthcare Champions podcast, delved into the lessons learned from the creation of Spira Care, a groundbreaking healthcare solution, the insights shared by Jimmy Keown of BarkleyOKRP and Jason Spacek, formerly of Blue KC, shed light on the complexities and challenges of driving meaningful change in this industry.

The conversation revealed a fundamental frustration – the healthcare system often feels “set up to preserve the status quo.” With large entities and government regulations hampering progress, the path to innovation can be arduous. As Spacek noted, “the whole system oftentimes feels like it’s set up to preserve the status quo.” Keown echoed this sentiment, highlighting the “crazy, complex” nature of the healthcare landscape, where “there’s always something else underneath” the surface.

However, the discovery of misaligned incentives between payers, providers, and patients served as the catalyst for the Spira Care project. By first identifying the frictions that inhibit the desired experience, the team at BarkleyOKRP was able to design a solution that purposefully aligns these incentives, unlocking the potential for a truly transformative healthcare model. The journey was not without challenges, as the team grappled with the temptation to simply “add fuel” to the system rather than address the underlying issues. But by taking a holistic, “whole brand” approach, BarkleyOKRP tackled everything from product design and service delivery to culture and employee engagement, ensuring that Spira Care was poised for success.

The lessons learned from the Spira Care project serve as a testament to the power of innovation in healthcare. By embracing complexity, challenging the status quo, and aligning incentives, healthcare champions can pave the way for a future where the Quadruple Aim – improved patient experience, better population health, reduced costs, and enhanced clinician experience – is not just a lofty goal, but a tangible reality.

Healthcare Champions captures stories from visionaries at the forefront of healthcare business strategy and innovation. Each episode highlights healthcare industry opportunities that could drive real impact from individuals who are champions of real change.

To explore more episodes of Healthcare Champions, click here.

For a thorough evaluation to help your brand build its biggest future, contact Sam Meers, EVP, BarkleyOKRP Healthcare Innovations, at smeers@barkleyokrp.com.