Developing an evaluation framework for clinical redesign programs: lessons learnt

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present lessons learnt through the development of an evaluation framework for a clinical redesign programme – the aim of which was to improve the patient journey through improved discharge practices within an Australian public hospital.

Design/methodology/approach

The development of the evaluation framework involved three stages – namely, the analysis of secondary data relating to the discharge planning pathway; the analysis of primary data including field-notes and interview transcripts on hospital processes; and the triangulation of these data sets to devise the framework. The evaluation framework ensured that resource use, process management, patient satisfaction, and staff well-being and productivity were each connected with measures, targets, and the aim of clinical redesign programme.

Findings

The application of business process management and a balanced scorecard enabled a different way of framing the evaluation, ensuring measurable outcomes were connected to inputs and outputs. Lessons learnt include: first, the importance of mixed-methods research to devise the framework and evaluate the redesigned processes; second, the need for appropriate tools and resources to adequately capture change across the different domains of the redesign programme; and third, the value of developing and applying an evaluative framework progressively.

Research limitations/implications

The evaluation framework is limited by its retrospective application to a clinical process redesign programme.

Originality/value

This research supports benchmarking with national and international practices in relation to best practice healthcare redesign processes. Additionally, it provides a theoretical contribution on evaluating health services improvement and redesign initiatives.

Citation

Samaranayake, P., Dadich, A., Fitzgerald, A. and Zeitz, K. (2016), "Developing an evaluation framework for clinical redesign programs: lessons learnt", Journal of Health Organization and Management, Vol. 30 No. 6, pp. 950-970. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHOM-07-2015-0109