Verification of a Quality Management Theory: Using a Delphi Study

Ali Mohammad Mosadeghrad

doi:10.15171/ijhpm.2013.55

Abstract

A model of quality management called Strategic Collaborative Quality Management (SCQM) model was developed based on the quality management literature review, the findings of a survey on quality management assessment in healthcare organisations, semi-structured interviews with healthcare stakeholders, and a Delphi study on healthcare quality management experts. The purpose of this study was to verify the SCQM model. The proposed model was further developed using feedback from thirty quality management experts using a Delphi method. Further, a guidebook for its implementation was prepared including a road map and performance measurement. The research led to the development of a context-specific model of quality management for healthcare organisations and a series of guidelines for its implementation. A proper model of quality management should be developed and implemented properly in healthcare organisations to achieve business excellence.

Highlights

Phase 3 PromotionPhase 4 ImplementationPhase 5 EvaluationTime management for healthcare organisations
Insufficient motivation for professionals to participate in Total Quality Management (TQM) initiatives, the difficulties involved in evaluating the processes and outcomes, and a lack of market based competition were the major obstacles to TQM implementation in the health sector [8,9,10]
The effectiveness of quality management arises from leadership and management efforts towards defining and communicating a strategic quality plan, and creating a learning organisation and a corporate quality culture to facilitate the management of employees, customers, suppliers, resources, knowledge and processes

Summary

Introduction

Phase 3 PromotionPhase 4 ImplementationPhase 5 EvaluationTime (month) management for healthcare organisations. Results: The research led to the development of a context-specific model of quality management for healthcare organisations and a series of guidelines for its implementation. Conclusion: A proper model of quality management should be developed and implemented properly in healthcare organisations to achieve business excellence. Other barriers to successful TQM implementation in health sector were authoritative leadership, lack of top managers’ support, lack of employees’ involvement, lack of a plan for change, inadequate resources, lack of a quality-oriented culture, insufficient education and training, poor communication, and lack of customer focus [11,12,13,14]. The limited success of TQM in healthcare organisations led the author to search for a more viable solution, and as a result, the Strategic Collaborative Quality Management (SCQM) model was created [15]. An effective implementation of these practices supports the satisfaction of employees, customers, suppliers and society and improves organisational performance [15]

Objectives

Results

Conclusion