title: [The mission].
abstract: After having made a historical review of the concept of mission statement, of evaluating its importance (See Part I), of describing the bases to create a mission statement from a strategic perspective and of analyzing the advantages of this concept, probably more important as a business policy (See Parts I and II), the authors proceed to analyze the mission statement in health organizations. Due to the fact that a mission statement is lacking in the majority of health organizations, the strategy of health organizations are not exactly favored; as a consequence, neither are its competitive advantage nor the development of its essential competencies. After presenting a series of mission statements corresponding to Anglo-Saxon health organizations, the authors highlight two mission statements corresponding to our social context. The article finishes by suggesting an adequate sequence for developing a mission statement in those health organizations having a strategic sense.
authors.affiliation: Servei Medicina Intensiva, Hospital Sagrat Cor, Barcelona.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ruiz Moreno
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blanch Mon
mesh_terms: D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D016134:Organizational Policy; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D011787:Quality of Health Care