AMBA & BGA EXCELLENCE AWARDS WINNERS
and train others in the hope that the generation coming behind you is better than the one you’re in. “To that end, I started introducing business, negotiation and leadership skills to postgraduate surgical training at the RCSI. I would like to increase this and further develop and strengthen ties with the UCD Smurfit School to equip doctors and surgeons with fundamental skills in business and provide a pathway for those who want to further augment that experience.” Could you tell us more about your plans to develop a partnership between the RCSI and the UCD Smurfit School and establish new courses aimed at healthcare professionals? “From what I understand, there used to be a healthcare MBA provided
in collaboration by both universities many years ago, with significant funding provided by the public healthcare
service to allow managers to undertake higher training. I’m
UCD Smurfit School’s EMBA has inspired O’Kelly to aid fellow medics to develop their business skills
not sure this is the correct model. I would like to see more specific joint courses between these two institutions, but for those who really have a desire to enhance a further specific area of interest and not because they simply feel that they should just do the course. “These courses could be delivered at certificate, diploma or master’s level. I would also like to see more focus on healthcare at the MBA level. Not only is it interesting, but it is also highly pertinent in terms of public spending and sometimes just a great way of getting an appreciation of the pitfalls in business models and strategy. “Given that there is now an increasing international focus on business and leadership in surgical specialties, this will be a burgeoning field and it makes sense (at least in my mind) to have a collaboration between two globally recognised brands such as the UCD Smurfit School and the RCSI. There is also massive potential for research collaboration looking at value-based healthcare delivery, determinants of health inequity and access to healthcare.” Why might it be better for healthcare professionals to develop business skills alongside their existing expertise rather than for the sector to bring in managers without a background in healthcare? “I think it’s important to have both backgrounds present, as each party brings its own experiences, perspectives and expectations to the table. My own take on this would be to ask why it would not be desirable to have healthcare professionals and managers who are each able to converse and communicate using the same language.
“The big point of contrast in these situations is generally the agenda. Managers have traditionally used financial data and reports to make business decisions. Doctors and surgeons have traditionally argued using clinical reasoning and advocacy on behalf of patients and staff. Being able to combine these two as they do in many North American healthcare institutions has led to greatly enhanced clinical and non-clinical performance metrics. The key here is trust and a diversity of thought and opinion.” What advice would you give someone thinking about completing an EMBA or MBA? “I would think long and hard about doing a programme like this and only consider it if you’re absolutely sure. If you’re simply doing this because you’re trying to tick a box, then it’s probably not for you. I would also emphasise that doing an MBA is not essential for all doctors and surgeons. It is like asking whether all clinicians should be engaging in research and publication. “If it’s something that you’re genuinely interested in, then the personal and academic rewards are potentially huge, but there are other ways to gain experience. You should also consider whether you are able to devote the time required to undertake a programme as intensive as this. I loved my time at the UCD Smurfit School, despite the occasional feelings of imposter syndrome, and will be forever grateful to the staff and faculty there for giving me the opportunity. I look forward to many more years of friendship and collaboration.”
Ambition | JUNE 2023 | 31
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