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Can Corporates Change?

Israel's Heath Ministry Changed Its Decision Making Culture

Anat Eldar Vatine
Anat Eldar Vatine
December 5, 2020

During the last decade, government offices have been trying to create better and more inclusive decision-making processes. Yet, the success of the Health Ministry is unique. The CEO’s determination combined with a dedicated professional team allowed the Ministry to fulfill the potential of Insights.US technology.

The Health Ministry's Consulting Website

Big Decisions Are Made Together 

Here is a taste of some of the national reforms led by the Ministry in the last year:

The Ministry decided to change its entire budget procedures, after consulting with thousands of administrators, doctors and nurses on how to decrease inequality in the healthcare system. 10,126 peoples entered the website. 625 answers were turned into 10 insights, most of which were adopted into decisions.
In order to better understand what will make people eat healthier foods, the Ministry approached tens of thousands of citizens and hundreds of experts, as part of a committee called by the Ministry’s CEO. 1,100 answers were turned into 9 insights, all of which were integrated in a major reform led by the Ministry.
Family Health Centers: The Health Ministry and its Nursing Department decided to reorganize the way family health centers operate in Israel, after 70 years of existence. 1,600 families, nurses and professionals contributed their advice, and helped to shape the future of "Tipot Halav." Decisions are expected soon.
Eliminating Violence: A public committee, led by Prof. Shlomo Mor Yosef, was asked to design policies to eliminate violence in the health system. Instead of deciding behind closed doors, the committee reached out to caretakers, medical crews, family members of patients and more. Close to 2,000 answers were gathered in weeks.

Starting From The Inside

Those who had the opportunity to lead complex changes in the healthcare system know that without partnerships, change is almost impossible. It always starts inside, with the leadership team. The reform of the Family Health Centers was led by four different departments together with two cities (Tel Aviv and Jerusalem)! 

The Ministry followed the same approach when it tried to deal with the work-life balance of its workforce. 4,000 employees were asked how to balance between the two. Following the advice, the Ministry declared on “Private Tuesday”, a day when meetings will not be set after 16:00. Inclusive decisions start from within.

To us, internal partners are as important as external ones. Before asking experts, we suggest to start with approaching your own employees.

Feedback To Each Participant

Closing the feedback loop is the way to create a sustainable community. With Insights.US, the Health Ministry could easily update the participants on their personal impact.

Thus, for instance, 10,000 emails were sent with a personal update
on the decisions made in the “Inequality in Healthcare” project. Knowledgeable crowds that receive authentic feedback
would answer the next question. 

A Cultural Shift

Getting advice from stakeholders in the Health Ministry turned into an inherent part of policy making processes. When a big challenge presents itself, there’s an understanding that the solutions are out there. Patients, family members, nurses, doctors, and administrators know what works. Now, it's about listening.

The Ministry of Health tackled the major challenges of the healthcare system in a very different way. This required the ability to gather advice from all of the stakeholders, to turn it into insights and to update participants on their personal impact. 

Government Agencies can change. They only need to try.  

How Can a Government Office ChangeAnat Eldar Vatine
Anat is the VP of Customer Success at Insights.US. She has led dozens of inclusive decision-making projects in public services.