Use of Q Methodology for Hospital Strategic Planning: A Case Study

Abstract

This study was designed to illustrate how Q Methodology can be used as a tool for strategic planning. Potential plans for the future of a small Indiana hospital were formulated and Q sorted to determine support or resistance by key leaders from within hospital management, the board, and the medical staff. The hospital was able to identify stakeholder perceptions that resulted in strong consensus that integration should be a priority for the hospital. This exercise provided a list of objectives for hospital leadership and the results were also used to justify the cessation of several programs that the hospital leadership had been pursuing.