Abstract
The study is designed for sustainable healthcare system with providers’ initiatives to provide quality services in healthcare organisations. Healthcare providers’ initiatives promote quality and ensure better healthcare services. Among the healthcare providers who were studied and reviewed, it was observed that the initiatives of the healthcare providers improved the overall quality. There is a distinct scope of further enhancement with the participation of healthcare providers in healthcare organisations. The purpose of this research is to learn and determine the answers to questions through scientific application.
This study shows that an augmented frequency of sustainable healthcare systems is only possible through the initiatives of healthcare providers. In healthcare services, patients remain satisfied without expressing their dissatisfaction to the management. To know the needs of patients, there has to be a certain level of relationship between healthcare providers and patients. For this purpose, the system has to be very proficient in the service conditions and their applicability for quality in the hospital.
Healthcare organisations management has the conviction that the participative role of healthcare professionals in hospitals will increase patient satisfaction. In this perspective, the pressing priority of healthcare providers for hospitals will always be patients. Thus, apart from the availability of healthcare facilities and quality of care, the location of the hospital has predominant importance. Based on the findings, it is to be stated that sustainable healthcare is subject to provider’s initiatives and actions for quality in healthcare organisations.
Keywords
Introduction
This study is an honest effort towards future budding healthcare scenarios of hospitals. The research has scrutinised a range of factors that include the involvement of healthcare providers in improving hospital performance. The World Health Organisation defines a sustainable healthcare system as a system that improves, maintains, or restores health while minimising negative impacts on the environment and leveraging opportunities to restore and improve it, to the benefit of the health and well-being of current and future generations (Trivitron Healthcare, 2020). The research also provides acumen to be used to revise strategies and plans for promoting quality and better healthcare services through improved healthcare provider–patient relationships. According to van Vooren et al. (2020), health management initiatives are increasingly introduced, aiming to develop sustainable health and wellbeing systems. Yet, little is known about strategies to implement during this development. The possibility to promote the well-being and healthiness of people is dependent on both sustainable structure and management. Healthcare service providers have to give due importance to both prime requirements with specific attention to a capable healthcare structure to meet extended healthcare needs arising out of natural calamities, disaster, or spread of viral diseases affecting a larger section of the population without compromising the quality of healthcare services (Buffoli et al., 2013).
Healthcare providers see quality of care as an efficiently managed resource, which also includes healthcare facility. So, the providers have to understand their patient’s needs. In such situations, the role of the healthcare provider is to lead the staff from the front. Improve and enhance the quality of healthcare organisations through training and skill development programs for staff to meet the patient’s expectations. More importantly, a healthcare provider has to think of and implement incentive-based systems and strategies for motivating staff. Healthcare provider’s commitment to improved conditions in healthcare facilities is of great importance for his success.
Sustainable healthcare system is the spotlight of the study, and it is found that if the initiatives of providers for quality improvement in the hospitals excel in their services, then the resultant is improved overall efficiency, increased competitiveness of hospitals in the market, and increased number of satisfied patients. It goes without saying that in healthcare organisation patients come first and are a priority, and thus the providers are to ensure that the best possible care is provided to them.
According to Glickman et al. (2007), for chief medical officers and senior executives, quality services become the priority for a successful healthcare organisation, so this becomes a defining competency. The leadership of senior executives helps the organisation in providing direction for quality improvement efforts.
Healthcare providers play central role in the success of hospital services. Perception of provider for improved quality makes it obvious that hospital services area is fair blending of functional, infrastructure, and technical essential ingredients to manage the hospital for improved quality as said by Jha (2011). Another study by Mir et al. (2012) disclosed that patient’s satisfaction is because of hospitals’ high quality of care and their ability to recognise patients’ desires and requirements associated to healthcare provider’s services.
Healthcare managers should develop a vision with a mission for patient satisfaction to improve the hospital’s performance. One can ask patients and their relatives to identify areas and seek suggestions as to how to improve the performance. This will help staff for the quality of care provided to patients to the acceptable standards of performance and further continued depending on regular input from patients their attendants and relatives. Healthcare providers have to keep in mind some significant points for further improving the quality of the hospital in the context of patient satisfaction. These days, people are more influenced by non-clinical facilities, which include but are not limited to hospital housekeeping (cleaning of wards, beds, and front offices) and the interpersonal skills and courteous responses of people working in hospitals.
The change is a normal feature of life and it also occurs in healthcare organisation, we can easily say at this juncture that first, it was physician who looked after patients in hospitals, then an introduction of management, which provided facilities to patients, and now the participation of healthcare providers with management, with increased demand on patient satisfaction. This means a sustainable healthcare system is dependent on healthcare providers’ initiatives for participation so that the patients have the choice to select the services with whom (he or she is) or are convinced.
Methodology
The study is on providers’ initiatives on sustainable healthcare for the promotion of quality in healthcare organisations. Study participants are doctors, nurses, paramedics, and administrative staff, working at tertiary care hospitals. The research design adopted in this study is an exploratory method, and information was gathered from healthcare providers working in hospitals, selected by convenience sampling.
The research study is based on a sample size of 150 healthcare providers with the help of eligible respondents selected through convenience sampling from hospitals in Jaipur. While the data have been collected using the primary source survey method with the help of an instrument named semi-structured questioner.
The respondents have shown positive interest in filling out a questionnaire through an interview and were free to quit the survey or escape any question if they so desired. The human subject was not involved directly or at risk during the research study, as such ethical approval is/was not required for the purpose.
The research has been conducted using Microsoft Forms and exported as an Excel sheet. After data cleaning, data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS.
Results
In today’s world of competition, delivering quality competitive services at reduced cost has become one of the top priorities and an important factor for return on investment. In healthcare organisations, the healthcare providers play a defining role in what quality means and how crucial it is nowadays. Sustainable healthcare system leads to improved competitive quality healthcare services for the patients and their families. Then it is important to remember that the provider’s initiatives for quality improvement are a central part of healthcare. It is also essential to keep the quality of patient’s healthcare high and to ensure that the provider is functioning at their optimum in respect of the quality of healthcare organisation. A total of 150 healthcare providers were interviewed, and their opinions were collected and presented in tables.
Participation of Healthcare Providers and Administrators for Sustainable Healthcare
As discussed, categories are given in the first column of the output, observed N frequencies are in the next column, expected N frequencies are given in the third column, and the difference between the two frequencies observed and expected is the residual column.
The second part of the tables is about the output that gives the value of the chi-square statistic, the degrees of freedom (df), and the p value. The respondents’ reply on participation: 74 healthcare providers reported that participation improves performance.
The difference between the observed and expected is 44. Value of the chi-square statistic is 171.133. Degree of freedom is (4) and the p value is.00.
There is enough evidence to bring the conclusion that the participation of management and healthcare providers improves performance.
The respondents’ replies to services provided by administrative staff: 75 providers reported that services provided by administrative staff promote quality in healthcare organisations.
The difference between the observed and expected is 25. Value of the chi-square statistic is 53.560. Degree of freedom is (2), and the p value is.00.
There is enough evidence to bring the conclusion that the services provided by administrative staff promote quality in healthcare organisation.
In the sample, 119 healthcare providers reported that easy access to registration in hospitals decreases the waiting time of patients and increases the efficiency of healthcare providers.
The difference between the observed and expected is 81.5. Value of the chi-square statistic is 239.920. Degree of freedom is (3), and the p value is.00.
There is enough evidence to bring the conclusion that the easy access to registration counters in hospitals decreases the waiting time and increases the efficiency of healthcare providers.
The respondents’ replies to easy access to hospital services improve efficiency: 126 healthcare providers reported that easy access to hospital services improves efficiency.
The difference between the observed and expected is 88.5.
Value of the chi-square statistic is 280.773.
Degree of freedom is 3, and the p value is.00.
There is enough evidence to bring the conclusion that the easy access to hospital services improves efficiency thereby the quality.
In the sample, 88 healthcare providers reported that previous patient record helps in early diagnosis and treatment.
The difference between the observed and expected is 50.5. Value of the chi-square statistic is 96.240. Degree of freedom is (3), and the p value is.00.
There is enough evidence to bring the conclusion that the availability of previous patient records helps doctors to diagnose and treat patients accurately.
Providers Initiatives for Quality Improvement in Healthcare Organisation
In the sample, 106 healthcare providers reported that sufficient staff for technical work improves the efficiency of healthcare organisations.
The difference between the observed and expected is 68.5.
Value of the chi-square statistic is 173.733.
Degree of freedom is (3), and the p value is.00.
There is enough evidence to bring the conclusion that the sufficient staff for technical work improves the efficiency of healthcare organisations.
In the sample, 103 healthcare providers reported satisfied with the management of hospital when proportions across the categories are equal.
The difference between the observed and expected is 44. Value of the chi-square statistic is 161.093. Degree of freedom (df), and the p value is.00.
There is enough evidence to bring the conclusion that the healthcare providers are satisfied with the management of hospital subject to equal proportions across categories.
In the sample, 107 healthcare providers reported that they are satisfied with facilities available in healthcare organisation.
The difference between the observed and expected is 69.5. Value of the chi-square statistic is 178.800. Degree of freedom is (3), and the p value is.00.
There is enough evidence to bring the conclusion that the healthcare providers are satisfied with facilities available in healthcare organisation.
In the sample, 101 reported that quality of care’s proportions across the categories were equal.
The difference between the observed and expected is 51. Value of the chi-square statistic is 94.840. Degree of freedom is (2), and the p value is.00.
There is enough evidence to bring the conclusion that the healthcare providers are satisfied with the quality of care provided by hospitals.
Different parameters of healthcare providers’ perceptions were considered from all aspects pertaining to sustainable healthcare for quality improvement in healthcare organisations; when reflected in data collection formats, it was found that most of the healthcare providers strongly feel that providers’ initiatives improve the quality of healthcare organisations.
Sustainable healthcare improves the quality of services, such as reduced waiting times for patients, an improved registration system on counters, and the availability of past medical records, making hospitals patient-friendly and ultimately profitable organisations. The majority of providers agree with the statement that hospitals with the above built-in facilities, which include but are not limited to those detailed in the preceding paragraphs and proven with sample analysis, increase the trust and satisfaction levels of patients, a prerequisite for the efficiency of healthcare providers and an efficient healthcare system.
Thus, the healthcare staff of hospitals is to be aware of all the aspects that influence patient satisfaction and contribute for the improvement in healthcare services. Changes in healthcare organisations are continuously accelerating to keep pace with the increasing demands of patients, with the motivation of employees for participation in management so as to provide improved quality services.
By means of exploring the association in the dataset consisting of 150 questionnaires from healthcare providers in the hospitals in Jaipur, Rajasthan, the researcher arrives at the conclusion that ‘There is a strong relationship between sustainable healthcare system and providers’ initiatives for quality in hospitals, one major prerequisite for high-quality healthcare services in healthcare organisations. The research is a good fit to the data and (substantial-worth facing legitimacy)’, review phrase in the bracket.
Discussion
The review covers the sustainable healthcare system, which promotes quality, improves satisfaction, and explores the relationship between sustainability and healthcare providers’ initiatives for quality improvement. The impact of the provider’s participation is patient satisfaction. The literature reveals the initiatives taken by healthcare providers to improve the quality and the sustainability of healthcare organisations.
As suggested by Joshi (2012), hospitals that work nonstop and round the clock, all days of the week are different from other organisations. The hospital is supposed to provide quality treatment to every patient who comes to the hospital at any time of the day or night is to be ready for quality treatment with open arms. Provider participation promotes the quality of healthcare services, as seen from survey result, in which 138 healthcare providers reported either ‘strong agreement or agreement’ with the statement that provider participation improves the performance of healthcare organisations.
To achieve a successful and sustainable health system, we must be able and willing to try many different things. But therein lies a unifying idea: do many things. No single stroke will solve this problem, as said by Fineberg (2012). According to Cousin et al. (2012), healthcare providers, support staff, nurses, and physicians/doctors are essential for determining the factor of patient satisfaction with services provided. The doctor’s communication style with patients predicts the level of patient satisfaction. In another study by Warren et al. (1998), in the last 20 years, there has been a phenomenal change in physician’s practice. Many doctors accept cooperative liaising with patients rather than comparison with others. Now, the context has changed, regardless of age or years of experience.
According to Bahuguna (2014), in this era, the patients measured the quality of services provided by healthcare organisations. Their experiences on the quality provided by the facilities (Mead, 2000) said that ‘patient-centered approach is increasingly being regarded as crucial for their satisfaction in respect of delivery of high-quality care by doctors’. In the study, it was observed that out of 150 participants, only 8 said that services provided by administrative staff were not good. Chakravarty (2011) explained that managers of healthcare organisations are under immense pressure to deliver the best possible services with their focus on quality services and the satisfaction of customers in hospitals.
According to Ashrafun and Uddin (2011) in the provision of healthcare services, quality assurance has emerged internationally. Patients increase their expectations every day on the adequacy of care provided, not limited to quantity only but also the quality of services provided by healthcare organisations. Quality can be achieved through the satisfaction of patients and providers. It is obvious from the survey that healthcare providers who reported that easy access to registration decrease in the waiting time increases the efficiency of healthcare organisation.
As said by Madhiwalla and Roy (2006) almost all patients and physicians are in agreement that many problems would be resolved if patients are treated with respect. They felt that physicians should make an attempt to be friendly with patients. Doctors have to pay attention to the causes of frequent complaints from patients.
According to Littlejohns et al. (2019), to create effective, fair, and sustainable health systems, many countries are introducing ways to prioritise health services, which involves making difficult decisions concerning who gets (and who does not get) healthcare interventions. In the study, it was observed that 119 of 126 healthcare providers opined that hospital wards with easy access to other departments to provide better services. To mention, only 7 of them are in disagreement.
According to Shanafelt and Noseworthy (2017), there are unprecedented changes that threaten the survival of healthcare organisations. There is a need that leaders of organisations, healthcare workers, and physicians must work in collaboration to successfully navigate these challenges.
Mosadeghrad (2014) stated that healthcare quality means collaboration between healthcare providers and patients in a supportive atmosphere, and the factors relating to the healthcare system, organisation, and environment affect the quality of services provided. Quality of healthcare can be improved by appropriate planning, resources available, training education, efficient management, and, above all, the leadership with a vision to provide quality services.
As said by Itumalla and Acharyulu (2011), to improve the perception of the patient and his/her attendants about the healthcare organisation, the hospital has to focus on joint responsibility, not just individual output. Patient satisfaction must be the priority of all healthcare workers. For achieving this, one has to provide proper training to the employees as the success of any department can only be achieved through the involvement of its healthcare providers.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates that services provided by healthcare providers are subject to sustainable health system related to the quality improvement. It is thus a useful indicator to analyse and determine the success of sustainable healthcare systems as well as to measure sustainable quality in healthcare. Thus, the healthcare providers have to be very proficient and wise enough about their work to become the leader of the team for sustainable quality improvement in sustainable healthcare organisation. This will ensure increased level of patient confidence in the doctor as the providers are equipped with the knowledge and accordingly take initiatives in the work, they are performing.
In sustainable healthcare system, healthcare providers involve themselves in setting standards, monitoring, and addressing problems. This is achieved in a well-considered thought process manner incessantly and applied to all aspects of healthcare. Leaders of healthcare teams are assigned tasks to prepare guideline on quality and better healthcare services for improvement and supervise to ensure effective implementation. Healthcare provider’s commitment in hospitals, hold meetings is inevitable, to solve issues regarding patients and staff for sustainable quality and improved services.
This study establishes that healthcare providers and administration in managing healthcare services resultantly improve patient satisfaction. Consequent, conclusion is that it improves current hospital services and system’s sustainability. Healthcare providers who formulate and implement future strategies for providing sustainable quality services are able to overcome challenges in developing quality culture, and the sustainable healthcare quality model, which is the only available way forward.
Hospital Management and Provider Participation Improves Performance.
Services Provided by Administrative Staff Promotes Quality in Healthcare Organisation.
Easy Access to Registration Counters Decrease the Waiting Time.
Easy Access to Hospital Services Improve Efficiency.
Availability of Previous Patient Record Helps in Early Diagnosis and Treatment.
Sufficient Staff for Technical Work Improves the Efficiency of Healthcare Organisation.
Satisfied with the Management of Hospital.
Satisfied with Facilities Available in the Healthcare Organisation.
What Do You Think About Quality Care Provided by Hospital.
Author sincerely hopes that the present study would provide a solid base for future research in the above areas. Systemic studies on the various aspects of participation of healthcare providers will not only give new insight but also make the public aware of the significance of healthcare provider’ participation in any development strategy. And that there will be more comprehensive planning and more efficient implementation as required for ‘Sustainable Healthcare System – Healthcare Providers Initiative/Participation is imperative’.
Footnotes
Declaration of Conflicting Interests
The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.
Funding
The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.