What do you do?

As a hospital clinical manager, my job is to provide clinical leadership to staff and healthcare practitioners working in the institution, to assist the general manager with clinical concerns and to oversee clinical governance. Each day starts with a quick look at my daily list – a list I prepare at the end of the previous. I try to keep a routine; however, my day is often scattered with time-sensitive concerns that occur as we go – those are momentarily prioritised and I try to re-join my focus zones where possible.

On Mondays, I catch up with my teams, discussing successes and reviewing areas that need improvement. We update each other on the previous week's events and any ongoing challenges that may influence our short to medium-term goals.

Tuesdays are for reviewing discussions held on Mondays and doing research using tools like online databases to answer some of the questions posed. I'll analyse statistics using Webi, Excel or data visualisation tools like Tableau, liaise with subject matter experts, and compile summaries to prove these hypotheses.

Wednesday and Thursday are less intense versions of Tuesday, focusing on connecting with ward staff and doctor partners through ward and theatre rounds.

On Friday, we wrap up the week to ensure that weekly deadlines are closed off and create a plan for the following week. Sometimes, a matter posing medicolegal risk will come about, and completely throws off this routine.

How do you see your industry evolving in the near future?

There will be an increased focus on telemedicine and remote patient monitoring, allowing patients to receive care from the comfort of their own homes. This will not only improve convenience for patients but also help alleviate the burden on healthcare facilities.

Furthermore, advancements in technology will lead to the development of more personalised medicine, with treatments tailored specifically to each individual's genetic makeup and lifestyle factors. This will revolutionise the way diseases are diagnosed and treated, leading to better outcomes and improved patient satisfaction.

The integration of big data analytics and machine learning algorithms will also play a significant role in shaping the future of the industry. These technologies will enable healthcare providers to analyse vast amounts of patient data to identify patterns and trends, ultimately leading to more accurate diagnoses and proactive interventions.

Overall, the healthcare industry is poised for significant transformation in the near future. As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see improvements in patient care, increased efficiency in healthcare delivery, and a shift towards more personalised approaches to medicine.

I am not sure what that looks like for South Africa, due to the vast economic challenges that we face, but I am hopeful that as a country we will be comparable to the best in the world.

Looking back, what advice would you give to current students?

Take a moment to do some introspection and be sure that you are content and fulfilled with the path you have chosen. At times, we fall in love with the concept of a dream and are unable to let it go when that dream no longer aligns with who we have become. Work hard, but also remember to play in arenas that keep your creativity alive – that creativity will come in handy one day where logical thinking might be the order of the day, but innovative thinking and the ability to colour outside the lines is what sets you apart. Live boldly, and refrain from shrinking oneself to be more palatable. Find balance, always.

What is the most fulfilling part of your job?

I am fulfilled by being able to contribute to the livelihood of the community by implementing strategies that promote safe and quality healthcare together with my team. As a health administrator, I am no longer patient facing, but the love that brought me into the medical fraternity still exists and I am driven by being a healer, I just execute it in a different way from what I originally envisioned.