Sapna Agarwal, AVP of Healthcare Global Enterprises Limited, leads operations for the company’s Pan India comprehensive care center at HCG. With over two decades of experience, Sapna is currently leading digital transformation in an oncology super specialty chain, launching a comprehensive patient app, and developing CRM and BI-based business analytics. With a background in General Management and Healthcare Management, she has diverse experience across India, from green field multispecialty projects to super specialty care in leading healthcare chains.
In a recent conversation with Women Entrepreneurs Review magazine, Sapna highlights the rapid evolution in the oncology landscape through digital interventions. She shares that oncology is a high-pressure medical specialty where women leaders can excel owing to their empathetic, flexible, and innovative approaches. She also shares a note on the rising cancer cases in India and how women leaders can make a difference in the oncology space.
Given the rapid evolution in the oncology landscape, how do you perceive the impact of digital transformation on patient engagement and operational efficiency in healthcare?
Digital interventions are transforming healthcare by enhancing patient engagement and efficiency. They provide accessibility, especially in oncology, allowing patients to stay connected with healthcare providers from the comfort of their homes. This accessibility allows for timely care and personalized healthcare experiences. Non-digital interventions often focus on patient requests, while digital interventions allow healthcare to understand and provide proactively. Efficiency is also improved by simplifying communication between healthcare teams, reducing communication gaps, and making treatment more cost-effective. This transformation benefits both businesses and patient care, making digital interventions a necessity for transformation in healthcare.
How can women leaders influence the evolution of leadership styles to better adapt to the complexities of managing business growth and patient well-being?
Oncology is a high-pressure medical specialty due to its emotional and social stigma surrounding the disease. It is challenging for service providers to provide emotional empathy and support to patients and their families throughout treatment. Oncology needs longitudinal treatment and is hence expensive, making it more complex for organizations to provide care for patients who cannot afford it. To handle this situation, leaders must build empathy, be role models, and be flexible. Empathy and flexibility are essential for young professionals, as they start their careers and can see the field as a place of growth. Leaders should adapt their leadership style, including goal setting, handholding, and leading from the front. These additional qualities are essential for a successful leader in healthcare.
As operational excellence often requires navigating both traditional hierarchies and modern digital innovations, what unique challenges do you think women face in this space?
Digital healthcare innovation is challenging due to the interoperability of existing digital systems like HIS, LIS, and RIS. To succeed, the focus should be on bringing solutions for patients and healthcare institutions, breaking down hierarchies, and setting small goals. Achieving milestones and motivating the team, will help achieve desired goals. Instead of large digital transformations, focus on sprints and adopt a design that prioritizes small progress over long-term success.
How can women in healthcare advocate for a more holistic approach that not only focuses on efficiency and business growth but also on fostering a culture of wellness among healthcare workers?
Women are generally more empathetic, have multitasking capabilities, and understand emotions better. They can lead a team by empathizing with their challenges, providing support proactively, and accommodating different views. They contribute more by being inclusive, flexible, and meeting goals. These qualities help women grow and drive business goals and efficiency. Additionally, women are skilled in work delegation, as they manage the home and take stock of goals. A balance of these qualities increases the chances of women leaders being successful.
In an industry driven by innovation and constant change, how do you think women in senior operational roles can mentor and prepare the next generation of female leaders?
Mentorship is crucial for the future of an organization's strategic plan. It involves training and exposing team members to the latest technology, participating in online or offline training, and allowing time off for personal growth. Encouraging and accepting challenges and mistakes helps drive the team towards innovation. Women leaders play a critical role in helping the team create a strategic plan, prioritize their goals, and take time off to learn new skills.
What future trends do you see where women leaders in healthcare can significantly influence the intersection of technology, care delivery, and business expansion?
Indian women face high job losses due to personal commitments. Digital platforms have made it easier for women to work from home, allowing them to engage in society and professional careers without compromising their personal lives. This allows them to dedicate more time to growth and expansion in their chosen fields, leading to better decision-making and success in their chosen domain. Many industries, including IT, healthcare, and allied sectors, now offer flexible work cultures, allowing women to balance their personal and professional lives. Digital interventions like telemedicine and digital marketing also contribute to a flexible work environment, benefiting women entrepreneurs and leaders.
Message for Readers
I want to reflect on the rising cases of cancer cases in India. There are about 13.2 - 14 lakh cases every year, and 55% of those cases are for women-related cancer and 45% for men-related cancer. If there are women healthcare leaders who can understand the entire patient journey from these aspects concerning women's health needs, there are many things that a women leader can bring to the table. Hence women have more potential to do great work in the oncology and healthcare space.
Secondly, I want to touch on the challenges women face in terms of balancing between personal and professional life. This is why women are meant for challenging domains. And healthcare is one such space where challenges are continuous. I have always believed that women’s tenacity in the face of challenges makes them more successful as compared to others.
I would like women leaders to always succeed by showcasing the differentiation they can bring to the industry, rather than focusing on the challenges.
“When the going gets tough, the tough get going”.
