What advantage do external change agents have over internal change agents?

External change agents have the distinct advantage of being able to benchmark the healthcare entity against other organizations. This benchmarking process involves comparing certain performance metrics—such as quality of care, operational efficiency, patient satisfaction, and financial performance—against similar entities in the industry. Such comparisons provide valuable insights and highlight best practices or standards that can drive improvement within the organization.

Furthermore, external change agents bring a fresh perspective that is not influenced by the internal dynamics or historical context of the organization. Their experience across various environments allows them to identify areas for enhancement that internal change agents, who may be more familiar with the organization's culture and history, might overlook. This ability to compare and contrast within a broader landscape of industry standards significantly aids organizations in setting realistic goals and understanding their performance relative to peers.