Participation of professional categories when reorganizing two hospitals--a comparative study and an evaluation.
BACKGROUND
At one University Hospital in Sweden (Hospital A) a new organization had been in effect for 4 years. The main characteristics were patient care departments managed by nurses, consisting of five wards serving organ-specific centres, which were organized in specialized departments managed by physicians. At another University Hospital (Hospital B) a reorganization was in the final planning process.


METHODS
This qualitative study evaluated and compared the process of planning and preparing reorganization at the two hospitals and evaluated the new organization at Hospital A.


RESULTS
Results show that all professional categories were involved all through the planning and preparing process at Hospital A. At Hospital B only physicians were involved. The goals set by the group planning the new organization at Hospital A had been achieved regarding cost effectiveness, personnel development, quality improvement in nursing care as well as other aspects. Nurses and nurse assistants were, for the most part, satisfied with the new organization and if unsatisfied, this was because of other factors. Physicians, in most cases, wanted a physician as manager on the level between the patient care department and the director.
Jönsson
Ann-Cathrin
AC
Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Neurology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
Petersson
Harry
H
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D006754:Hospital Restructuring / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D009718:Nurse Administrators / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015401:Nursing Administration Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D008486:Physician Executives / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D015397:Program Evaluation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D013192:Staff Development; D013548:Sweden