Case Study: Strategic Planning for Mobile & Telehealth Services in Tribal Healthcare
Case Study.
Project Overview
Market: Tribal Health
Primary Service: Healthcare Project Management
A Tribal Health organization engaged John Lynch & Associates to develop a strategic and operational roadmap for launching mobile health and telehealth service offerings. As part of the larger Connected Care Initiative, the project aimed to bridge healthcare access gaps across multiple Tribal communities in coordination with Indian Health Services (IHS) and partner programs. The initiative sought to unify siloed healthcare efforts under one comprehensive, culturally informed strategic framework.
Objectives
- Develop a strategic and operational plan for mobile and telehealth programs.
- Guide the organization’s Connected Care Initiative framework.
- Conduct a Tribal Community Needs Assessment and Health Opinion Assessment.
- Improve collaboration with Indian Health Services and partner programs.
- Address systemic gaps, unify healthcare delivery efforts, and build community trust.
Challenges
- Fragmented systems and processes across Tribal programs.
- Lack of current use and strategy for mobile health units.
- Disconnect between IHS hospitals and the tribal community.
- Absence of a formal Community Needs Assessment or reliable outcomes data.
- Limited interorganizational collaboration and cultural alignment.
- Risks related to staffing, funding, and community engagement.
Solutions Implemented
To overcome these challenges, the following solutions were implemented:Discovery & Stakeholder Engagement
- Conducted a week-long onsite engagement, meeting with program leaders and stakeholders.
- Identified operational silos and communication gaps between Tribal programs and IHS.
- Initiated early discussions on the strategic direction and foundational priorities.
Community Needs & Health Opinion Assessment
- Facilitated the planning and execution of a Community Needs Assessment, ensuring broad representation across Tribal communities.
- Defined essential assessment data, collection methods (qualitative and quantitative), and outreach strategies.
- Launched a Community Health Opinion Assessment to capture public perspectives on health concerns, barriers, and service expectations.
Data Strategy & Outcomes Reporting
- Collaborated with the IHS hospital leadership to improve access to patient outcomes data.
- Identified key outcome measures aligned with CMS benchmarks, including:
- Mortality
- Readmissions
- Patient experience
- Safety and effectiveness of care
- Timeliness
- Efficiency in medical imaging
- Provided recommendations for ongoing collaboration with IHS to ensure data-sharing and alignment with federal standards.
Strategic Planning & Roadmap Development
- Facilitated workshops with leadership and community representatives to define goals, objectives, and key initiatives.
- Created a Strategic Roadmap to visually depict aligned goals across all programs and communities.
- Supported the formalization of organizational values to guide decision-making and reinforce cultural alignment.
Risk Identification & Mitigation Planning
- Staffing shortages: mitigated by workforce planning and policy development.
- Community trust: addressed through inclusive outreach and transparent communication.
- IHS collaboration: supported by building strong relationships and shared planning.
- Funding stability: supported through conservative budgeting and operational efficiency strategies.
Results
- Completed a comprehensive strategic plan tailored to the needs of Tribal communities and aligned with the Connected Care Initiative.
- Empowered leadership with clear goals, timelines, and actionable initiatives for mobile and telehealth services.
- Increased readiness for implementation of five mobile units, with strategic deployment guided by community needs.
- Strengthened working relationships with IHS and other healthcare partners.
- Established a culture of strategic accountability and alignment with tribal norms and values.
Conclusion
Client Feedback
“John Lynch & Associates brought structure and clarity to our vision for mobile and telehealth services. Their culturally sensitive and strategic approach ensured our communities’ voices were heard, and our goals were achievable. Their guidance helped us develop a unified path forward that aligns with our values and meets the needs of our people.”