Studies estimate that corporate partnership failure rates are between 50-70% — and healthcare is not immune. To ensure the success of health system partnerships, it is crucial to establish clear and intentional goals that align with the desired outcomes.

• Set specific and measurable goals that outline the desired outcomes of the partnership.
• Ensure that the goals are mutually agreed upon by all partners involved to foster collaboration and shared commitment.
• Regularly evaluate progress towards the established goals and make necessary adjustments to maximize the partnership's effectiveness and return on investment.

Our research shows that structural forces since the COVID-19 pandemic have changed what employers and employees expect from one another. To thrive in this new landscape, health systems must meet key expectations that influence job choices for clinical and non-clinical staff:

• Provide increased flexibility in roles to accommodate changing work dynamics and individual needs.
• Offer comprehensive support for employee well-being, both within and outside the workplace.
• Foster a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion that is ingrained throughout the organization.

While the pressure to move to a more efficient consumer-focused care delivery model existed before COVID-19, the pandemic shifted us into overdrive. As care models extend beyond traditional hospital settings, our research has identified essential elements for successful adoption of these models.

• Implement workflow redesign to accommodate the new care model and ensure seamless integration.
• Gain clinician buy-in by effectively communicating the safety and quality aspects of the new model, establishing trust and confidence.
• Embed new defaults and encourage adherence to the adopted care model.

In today's rapidly changing world, the traditional annual strategic plan is no longer sufficient for healthcare organizations. Instead, they are embracing a "continuous strategic planning" approach, which involves constantly adjusting and recalibrating strategies to adapt to evolving constraints and opportunities.

• Regularly monitor and analyze market trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes to identify new opportunities or potential threats.
• Foster a culture of agility and adaptability within the organization to effectively respond to changing circumstances and seize opportunities in real-time.

Amid the multitude of international policy experiments in healthcare, our analysis reveals areas of policy convergence that have emerged in the aftermath of COVID-19. These areas include:

• Emphasizing the shift in the site of care, exploring alternative care settings beyond traditional hospitals.
• Prioritizing environmental considerations and sustainability within healthcare planning.
• Delaying the establishment of permanent telehealth policies, allowing for further evaluation and refinement.