Break Down Silos and Drive Cross-Functional Collaboration During Regulatory Change

Here are strategies for healthcare leaders to overcome cross-functional collaboration challenges and succeed in regulatory transitions

Delmaine Donson/peopleimages.com

By T.G. Sanders

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In healthcare, regulatory change has become the only constant—transforming the way organizations operate, measure outcomes, and collaborate at all levels. For leaders, this brings a unique opportunity: Using cross-functional teamwork not just to weather change but to drive innovation, unity, and resilient compliance across their organizations.

Understanding the Challenge

Cross-functional collaboration means combining the skills and perspectives of multiple departments—clinical, IT, compliance, finance, and operations—into streamlined teams that can address complex regulatory requirements together. However, this unity does not happen overnight.

Common obstacles during regulatory transitions include:

Communication breakdowns: Critical updates siloed within departments
Unclear roles: Staff unsure who owns which compliance tasks
Resource competition: Departments vying for limited tools or attention

Case in point: When implementing new artificial intelligence regulatory standards, Providence brought together clinicians, compliance specialists, and IT leaders. Initial meetings revealed misaligned goals and knowledge gaps but with structured communication and role mapping, the organization harmonized its approach and met compliance targets on time (Modern Healthcare).

Actionable Solutions for Leaders

1. Communication First

Set up transparent, two-way channels All-hands briefings, digital platforms (e.g., Slack or Teams), and town halls ensure broad access to the latest regulatory information
Regular check-ins Weekly cross-team meetings help surface barriers early and prevent misunderstandings

2. Clarify Roles & Responsibilities

Define ownership Use clear accountability frameworks (such as RACI charts) so every regulatory task has an identified owner
Document responsibilities Share role descriptions and compliance task lists on internal platforms for easy reference

3. Align on a Shared Purpose

Mission reminders Connect each change to the organization’s patient care mission and long-term vision
Leadership messaging Leaders should consistently reinforce the “why” behind compliance—not just the “what”

4. Empower Team Decision-Making

Flatten hierarchies Invite frontline staff and middle managers to join problem-solving workshops
Rapid feedback Implement open suggestion boxes or digital polls; act on team input quickly to show value
In practice: Executive roundtables recommend empowering teams to innovate and share best practices, which improves engagement during transitions (iTnews)

5. Invest in Collaboration Skills

Cross-training Offer time-efficient, on-demand modules focused on communication, leadership, and change management
Ongoing education Support peer-learning opportunities to keep skills and knowledge current during evolving regulatory cycles

3 Practical Takeaways:

Prioritize structured communication across departments
Define and document clear responsibilities for every compliance task
Foster a culture of adaptability by investing in team-focused education

The Way Forward

Collaborative leadership is not just a strategy—it is the foundation for thriving through regulatory change. By modeling adaptability, empowering teams, and celebrating every collective win, healthcare leaders can transform compliance from a source of stress into an engine for progress and patient-centered innovation.

This article was produced in partnership with GetGloby. Review our AI Standards here.

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