Healthcare systems reform through activity focus

• Healthcare systems reform through activity focus   Peter Almström   Department of Technology Management and Economics Chalmers University of Technology Gothenburg, Sweden     Abstract (Intended for oral presentation)   Introduction   Healthcare systems and particularly the large hospitals need reformation, but there is obviously a lack of good ideas. The professions, the unions as well as the politicians seems to believe that the only solution is to employ more staff. We have seen the effect of that solution: the capacity has increased a little while the cost has increased a lot, i.e. productivity has decreased. The management philosophies borrowed from other fields have largely failed to deliver the promised improvements. One important reason for this, which hasn’t been highlighted in the science literature, is that the fundamental building blocks for designing and improving the systems are not in place. These building blocks are the activities performed by people at the floor level.   Aim The aim of this presentation is to conceptually explain the fundamental prerequisites to achieve a reform of the operations at large hospitals by focusing on activities, especially those activities that doesn’t involve patients.   Material and methods The conceptual conclusions in this presentation are based on several empirical studies at large hospitals in Sweden using work study and design science methods. The basic concepts are taken from operation management theory developed in other areas of business.   Results Results from several studies are presented in brief, both to illustrate the improvements potentials and to illustrate promising solutions.   Conclusions To focus on activities, which they are and how they are performed, is central for any operational improvement. It has been found that it is essential to differentiate between different types of activities and the most important distinction is to separate “handicraft activities” from “series production activities”.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Produktionsteknik, arbetsvetenskap och ergonomi (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Production Engineering, Human Work Science and Ergonomics (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Hälso- och sjukvårdsorganisation, hälsopolitik och hälsoekonomi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Health Care Service and Management, Health Policy and Services and Health Economy (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

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