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Implementing QA programs in managed care health plans: factors contributing to success

Revital Gross (Myers‐JDC‐Brookdale Institute, and Bar Ilan Univeristy, Jerusalem, Israel)
Yael Ashkenazi (Myers‐JDC‐Brookdale Institute, Jerusalem, Israel)
Hava Tabenkin (Haemeq Hospital, Afula, Israel and Clalit Health Services, Tel Aviv, Israel)
Avi Porath (Ben‐Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel and Clalit Health Services, Tel Aviv, Israel)
Alec Aviram (National Institute for Health Policy and Health Services Research, Tel Hashomer, Israel)

International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance

ISSN: 0952-6862

Article publication date: 2 May 2008

993

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors that contribute to the success or failure of quality assurance programs implemented by Israeli managed care health plans.

Design/methodology/approach

An in‐depth study of seven quality assurance programs was conducted, comparing successful with unsuccessful ones using the comparative “case study” method. Employing a semi‐structured questionnaire, 42 program directors and professionals in the field were interviewed.

Findings

A number of factors associated with the programs' success emerged. Those external to the program included: ongoing management support, resource allocation, information system support and perceived financial benefit for the organization. Internal factors included: leadership, perceived problem's importance, laying the groundwork in the field, involving field staff in planning and implementation and staff motivation.

Originality/value

The study provides insights into ways to encourage the implementation of successful quality assurance programs in the special organizational context of managed care health plans. As the implementation relies heavily on data, one important precondition is the development of computerized information systems to facilitate ongoing data collection. It is also necessary from the planning stage to take into account organizational factors that affect success.

Keywords

Citation

Gross, R., Ashkenazi, Y., Tabenkin, H., Porath, A. and Aviram, A. (2008), "Implementing QA programs in managed care health plans: factors contributing to success", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 21 No. 3, pp. 308-324. https://doi.org/10.1108/09526860810868247

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2008, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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