Assistance with M2 Practitioner Application

1200 words

ten (10) references, with at least three (3) being from scholarly academic journals

References must be prepared using the latest version of APA style

Word uploaded with instructions.

M2 Practitioner Application

Identifying Red and Blue Oceans

Your M2 Practitioner Application will require devoted inquiry, assimilation, reflection, and refinement in order to achieve the highest possible score. Specifically, you are to take the scenario listed below, address it in full, and submit your work in accordance with the instructions contained herein. This is an independent assignment to be completed by you and you alone. Sharing work with fellow students, supplying advice to your student peers, gaining assistance from outside parties, and similar actions will constitute violations of the academic code of conduct and will carry significant penalties in accordance with University policy.

The Challenge

M2 focuses significant attention on blue ocean strategy, defining both blue and red oceans and explaining the properties associated with each. Specifically, I’d like for you to examine healthcare offerings in the city of your choice and work to identify red oceans and blue oceans. (Note that you must select an actual city as this assignment requires an actual market investigation. Further, the city you select must be of sufficient size to have an active, thriving healthcare marketplace.) This will require achieving a deep understanding of red and blue oceans, coupled with an intensive understanding of the selected city, its healthcare providers, and their associated services. Research beyond that supplied by your readings, notably including field research, will be most helpful in this endeavor.

The Submission Requirement

Your submission in its entirety (i.e., all inclusive) must be AT LEAST 1200 words. It is to be typed (or pasted) directly into the M posting window, after which you will submit your work. After submission, students are advised to verify that the assignment was submitted successfully by revisiting the submission link in advance of the assignment deadline. (Warning: After the assignment deadline, do not return to the M1 Practitioner Application to check the status of your submission, as doing so can change the submission date, forcing issuance of penalties for lateness.) Note that attachments of any kind are prohibited and will carry no points value. Given the length of the submission, it is advised that students prepare it in a word processing program, and when finalized, copy and paste the text into the Moodle posting window. Moodle can be very finicky and often will distort formatting, so care must be taken in preparing your submission. It is understood that Moodle formatting is limited; simply make your submission look as nice as possible.

Submissions must incorporate a minimum of ten (10) references, with at least three (3) being from scholarly academic journals. (If you cannot ascertain whether a journal does or does not qualify as scholarly academic, contact the Noel Library and request assistance.) References must be prepared using the latest version of APA style, as referenced in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Seventh Edition (2020). You may purchase this manual from most any bookstore or from APA directly, or you may consult the many helpful online resources which demonstrate APA style. If you do make use of online guidance, just make sure that the associated websites indeed are providing information from the latest edition of the APA manual (7th Edition, 2020). Note that one should never simply copy-and-paste references from websites or other databases, as these frequently contain errors. Note also that relying on reference software for preparing references is high risk, as results sometimes do not conform with APA style. The safest way to ensure that your references are prepared correctly is to acquire the APA manual and then manually assemble your references following associated guidance. As Moodle formatting is limited, APA style applies only to the preparation and presentation of references. In-text citations, of course, must be included. Treat this as a formal report, rather than an informal web post. Incomplete or otherwise noncompliant reference sections which do not follow the guidance provided in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Seventh Edition (2020) will result in a 30-point deduction.

In presenting your work, identify the title, your name and student ID number, and submission date at the top of your submission and supply the following headings, exactly as they appear below, placing each in bold text:

Introduction (In this section, supply a brief introduction, helping the reader grasp the intent of the forthcoming work.)
Background

City Profile(In this section, supply a brief overview of the city of focus, noting its name, population, demographic characteristics, and any other helpful background information.)
Competitive Landscape(In this section, describe the state of competition in the marketplace by identifying key healthcare organizations, discussing medical services provided, and so on to paint a detailed picture of the given environment.)
- Observations
Red Oceans (In this section, identify and describe health and medical red oceans in the given city. Be sure to include justifications for your decisions.)
Blue Oceans (In this section, identify and describe health and medical blue oceans in the given city. Be sure to include justifications for your decisions.)
- Conclusions (In this section, summarize the report, being sure to express your perspectives on the potential of the associated market.)
- References(In this section, supply a list of references conforming with the instructions listed elsewhere in this communication.)

Assessment Criteria

Your submission will be assessed based on the following:

Compliance quality: The degree to which your submission complies with noted guidelines, including word count and reference specifications,
Communication quality: The degree to which your work meets standards expected in business communications, including matters concerning the use of proper grammar and punctuation, and
Content quality: The quality of the content presented in your work.

Take care when determining word counts; Moodle automatically supplies these details to instructors. If word count requirements are not met, a 30-point deduction is assessed. (Note that Moodle’s word count algorithm may differ from the one used by your word processor, presenting yet another reason supporting an early submission, affording adjustment opportunities, if needed.)

Also, take care to note the deadline for this assignment. Late submissions will be accepted for up to 24 hours beyond the deadline; however, a 30-point deduction for lateness will be assessed. Submissions received more than 24 hours beyond the deadline are automatically scored zero points.

Further, take care to note that submissions are to address the inquiry presented in the noted instructions in full. Alterations to the inquiry as presented herein are prohibited and will result in submissions being scored zero points.

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

M2 Practitioner Application: Identifying Red and Blue Oceans in Healthcare

Name: [Your Name]
Student ID: [Your Student ID]
Submission Date: [Date]

Introduction

This paper explores the application of the blue ocean strategy in the healthcare market, focusing on a specific city. By identifying the red and blue oceans, I will analyze the competitive landscape of the healthcare system in the chosen city. The objective is to determine areas of intense competition (red oceans) and uncover opportunities for differentiation and market innovation (blue oceans) within the healthcare sector. The analysis will provide valuable insights into how the city’s healthcare market operates and highlight opportunities for growth and improvement.

Background

The blue ocean strategy is a business approach that encourages organizations to explore untapped market spaces, or “blue oceans,” where competition is minimal or non-existent, as opposed to “red oceans” where industries are saturated with fierce competition. In the healthcare sector, red oceans are characterized by highly competitive and overcrowded markets, while blue oceans are opportunities for innovation, often targeting underserved or unmet needs.

This paper will investigate the healthcare landscape in [City Name], a vibrant urban center known for its diverse population and growing healthcare needs. By studying the local market dynamics, healthcare providers, and patient demands, I will identify both competitive threats and innovative opportunities within the healthcare sector.

City Profile

[City Name] is a rapidly growing metropolitan area with a population of approximately [Population Size]. The city has a diverse demographic composition, with residents from various ethnic, socio-economic, and cultural backgrounds. The median age of residents is [Median Age], and the population is steadily increasing due to both domestic migration and international immigration. The healthcare infrastructure of the city is robust, with a wide range of public and private healthcare facilities, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, specialty care centers, and long-term care facilities.

Notable health trends include a growing demand for [specific health services, e.g., elder care, mental health services, specialized surgical procedures], as well as the rising prevalence of [specific health issues, e.g., chronic diseases, obesity, mental health disorders]. The city’s healthcare system also faces challenges related to [access to care, affordability, quality, etc.].

Competitive Landscape

The competitive healthcare landscape in [City Name] is shaped by several key players in the market. Prominent healthcare organizations include [list of major hospitals and health systems], which offer a variety of medical services ranging from emergency care to specialized treatments. The competition within the city is fierce, particularly in areas such as [specialty care, urgent care, surgical procedures, etc.] where numerous providers vie for the same patient pool.

Public health initiatives, insurance companies, and private practices all contribute to the competitive dynamics of the healthcare system. Healthcare providers are not only competing for patients but also for skilled medical professionals, advanced technologies, and access to resources. This has led to an intensifying struggle to maintain market share, with each provider striving to offer unique services or differentiated care to stand out from competitors.

Observations

Red Oceans

Red oceans in the healthcare market of [City Name] are evident in areas where competition is particularly intense. These include the following sectors:

Emergency Care Services: Multiple hospitals and urgent care centers within close proximity often compete for emergency patients. Due to the critical nature of these services, providers focus on speed and efficiency, but this leads to a saturated market with little differentiation in the quality of care provided.
General Healthcare Services: Primary care and general health services in urban areas are typically overcrowded, with numerous providers offering similar services. These services include routine check-ups, vaccinations, and general consultations. Many of these services have become commodified, and patients often make choices based on cost or convenience rather than service differentiation.
Specialized Treatments: The demand for specialized healthcare services such as oncology, cardiology, and orthopedic care is high, resulting in a highly competitive environment. Leading hospitals and healthcare systems vie for patient trust, referrals, and insurance contracts, leaving little room for new entrants to disrupt the market.

These red oceans create a challenging environment for healthcare providers looking to innovate or stand out, as patients have many choices with similar offerings and benefits.

Blue Oceans

Conversely, blue oceans represent opportunities for healthcare providers to create differentiated services in underexplored or underserved markets. The following areas represent potential blue oceans in [City Name]:

Telemedicine and Remote Healthcare Services: The increasing adoption of telemedicine has opened up opportunities for healthcare providers to offer remote consultations, follow-up care, and chronic disease management. This has proven especially valuable for underserved populations or patients in rural areas who may struggle to access in-person care.
Mental Health Services: Mental health continues to be an underappreciated aspect of healthcare in many urban centers. In [City Name], mental health services are becoming more critical as the population faces increasing stress, anxiety, and depression. Healthcare providers who focus on offering holistic mental health support, such as therapy, counseling, and community-based mental health initiatives, could differentiate themselves from competitors.
Preventive and Wellness Programs: Programs aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles, preventing chronic diseases, and improving overall well-being present a growing blue ocean. This includes weight loss clinics, fitness programs, dietary counseling, and smoking cessation programs. Given the rising prevalence of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease, there is significant potential for services that focus on prevention rather than treatment.
Personalized Medicine and Genomics: Advances in genetic testing and personalized treatment plans based on an individual’s unique genetic makeup represent a significant blue ocean in healthcare. Providers who can offer precision medicine services could tap into a growing niche market of patients seeking tailored treatments for conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and genetic disorders.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the healthcare market in [City Name] offers both challenges and opportunities for healthcare providers. The red oceans represent highly competitive, saturated areas where differentiation is difficult, but blue oceans present exciting prospects for innovation and growth. By leveraging technological advancements, addressing underserved patient needs, and offering differentiated services, healthcare providers in [City Name] can move toward blue oceans and escape the constraints of red oceans. Future research and strategic planning should focus on identifying and developing these blue ocean opportunities to improve patient care while fostering business growth.

References

[Author Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of article. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), Page Numbers. DOI/Publisher]
[Author Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of article. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), Page Numbers. DOI/Publisher]
[Author Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of article. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), Page Numbers. DOI/Publisher]
[Author Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of article. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), Page Numbers. DOI/Publisher]
[Author Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of article. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), Page Numbers. DOI/Publisher]
[Author Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of article. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), Page Numbers. DOI/Publisher]
[Author Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of article. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), Page Numbers. DOI/Publisher]
[Author Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of article. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), Page Numbers. DOI/Publisher]
[Author Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of article. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), Page Numbers. DOI/Publisher]
[Author Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of article. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), Page Numbers. DOI/Publisher]

(Ensure your references are properly formatted according to APA 7th edition.)

This structure will help you thoroughly address the assignment and ensure that all key points are covered.