Value-based healthcare as a trigger for improvement initiatives
ISSN: 1751-1879
Article publication date: 1 September 2017
Issue publication date: 19 October 2017
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores four pilot teams’ experiences of improvements resulting from the implementation of value-based healthcare (VBHC) at a Swedish University Hospital. The aim of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of VBHC when used as a management strategy to improve patients’ health outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
An exploratory design was used and qualitative interviews were undertaken with 20 team members three times each, during a period of two years. The content of the interviews was qualitatively analysed.
Findings
VBHC worked as a trigger for initiating improvements related to processes, measurements and patients’ health outcomes. An example of improvements related to patients’ health outcomes was solving the problem of patients’ nausea. Improvement related to processes was developing care planning and increasing the number of contact nurses. Improvement related to measurements was increasing coverage ratio in the National Quality Registers used, and the development of a new coding system for measurements. VBHC contributed a structure for measurement and for identification of the need for improvements, but this structure on its own was not enough. To implement and sustain improvements, it is important to establish awareness of the need for improvements and to motivate changes not just among managers and clinical leaders directly involved in VBHC projects but also engage all other staff providing care.
Originality/value
This study shows that although the VBHC management strategy may serve as an initiator for improvements, it is not enough for the sustainable implementation of improvement initiatives. Regardless of strategy, managers and clinical leaders need to develop increased competence in change management.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Authors’ contributions: K.N.: study design, data collection and analysis, interpreting the analysis and responsible for drafting the manuscript. F.B.: interpreting the analysis and involved in drafting the manuscript. A.E.A.: interpreting the analysis and involved in drafting the manuscript. M.S.: interpreting the analysis and involved in drafting the manuscript.
Citation
Nilsson, K., Bååthe, F., Erichsen Andersson, A. and Sandoff, M. (2017), "Value-based healthcare as a trigger for improvement initiatives", Leadership in Health Services, Vol. 30 No. 4, pp. 364-377. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHS-09-2016-0045
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited