Strategic planning in an academic radiation medicine program.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Healthcare Management
• Strategic Planning

Background:

• The Radiation Medicine Program (RMP) at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre initiated a strategic planning exercise.
• The goal was to align program priorities with the evolving healthcare landscape and the increasing burden of cancer.
• The plan aimed to guide RMP operations through 2020.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a comprehensive strategic planning process for the Radiation Medicine Program.
• To ensure program priorities are relevant to the current healthcare environment.
• To develop a strategic roadmap for future program operations.

Main Methods:

• A multidisciplinary steering committee managed the process, guided by an external consultant.
• Data collection involved reviewing strategic documents, stakeholder interviews, surveys, and feedback mechanisms.
• The planning process occurred between December 2014 and December 2015.

Main Results:

• Mission, vision, and core values were established for the RMP.
• A "Strategic Roadmap to 2020" was created to direct programmatic activities for the next five years.
• An implementation plan was developed for the first year of operations.

Conclusions:

• The strategic planning mobilized staff, identified opportunities, and improved resource utilization in a dynamic healthcare setting.
• The process facilitated staff engagement in discussing the program's future and identifying key strategic issues.
• This report offers a useful model for academic programs with similar strategic planning needs.