Ranking of Factors Affecting Productivity in Ahvaz Hospitals Using Analytic Network Process (ANP) Technique

Abstract

Background: The hospital system is essential for providing medical services, and improving productivity is vital for enhancing the health system. Objectives: This study aimed to rank factors affecting productivity in Ahvaz hospitals using the analytic network process (ANP) technique. Methods: The statistical population of the current study was 60 personnel of Ahvaz hospitals (20 from each hospital), who were selected by purposive sampling. The sampling method was purposive. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to collect data related to research variables, and its validity was evaluated using content validity. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient test was used by SPSS software version 22 to measure the reliability, which was as much as 0.87. The ANP method was used by the Super-Decisions software to prioritize the influencing factors on hospital efficiency. Finally, the normalized weight (NW) was calculated for each main factor and sub-factors using the geometric mean technique after normalizing the obtained values. Results: Prioritizing the main factors affecting the productivity of Ahvaz hospitals showed that management factors (NW = 0.294), economic factors (NW = 0.269), human factors (NW = 0.267), and technological factors (NW = 0.171) were placed in the first to fourth priority, respectively. Conclusions: Based on the results, factors such as the relatively weak management of hospitals, failure of supervisory mechanisms, lack of human resources, unrealistic tariffs for diagnostic and therapeutic services, incomplete implementation of the new hospital administration system plan, low salaries and wages of personnel were the most critical obstacles for improving productivity in Ahvaz hospitals. Therefore, enhancing the level of hospital management and fully implementing the new hospital administration system plan is essential for increasing the productivity of Ahvaz hospitals.