THE INNOVATION PERSPECTIVE OF EMPLOYEES IN A PRIVATE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the innovation perspective of employees from technical, administrative and medical units in a private hospital of a health group. 
 
 Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 177 employees form different departments in a private hospital were included. The data were collected by a questionnaire regarding use of health technologies and innovation related items. These items were scored by using 5-point Likert scale (1: Strongly disagree; 2: Disagree; 3: Neither agree nor disagree; 4: Agree; 5: Strongly agree). After performing both Explanatory and Confirmatory factor analyses, the 15-item Healthcare Innovation Scale with 4 subgroups regarding "Innovation Perception", "Innovation and Sector Relationship", "Innovation and Project Management" and "Innovation and Relationship with Competitors" were defined. 
 
 Results: The item regarding “expectations of patients" (n=52, 44.4%) was stated primarily issue in the innovation process. In the scale, the score of the "Innovation Perception" subgroup was significantly higher in employees from the medical unit (4.07±0.58) and administrative unit (3.89±0.53) compared to those from the technical unit (3.48±0.62) (p=0.000). The score of the "Innovation and Relations with Competitors" subgroup was found to be significantly higher in administrative unit employees (3.53±0.76) compared to technical unit employees (3.14±0.76)(p=0.014). 
 
 Conclusion: Since innovation activity is a competitive factor for hospitals, health managers could take into consideration patients’ expectations and employees’ innovation perspectives. In addition, Healthcare Innovation Scale as a reliable and valid scale could be helpful for this purpose.