Patient-centered lean healthcare management from a humanistic perspective
Issued Date
2024-10-19
Resource Type
eISSN
14726963
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85206078533
Pubmed ID
39427202
Journal Title
BMC health services research
Volume
24
Issue
1
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
BMC health services research Vol.24 No.1 (2024) , 1261
Suggested Citation
Chen M., Guan Q., Zhuang J. Patient-centered lean healthcare management from a humanistic perspective. BMC health services research Vol.24 No.1 (2024) , 1261. doi:10.1186/s12913-024-11755-w Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/101787
Title
Patient-centered lean healthcare management from a humanistic perspective
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Healthcare organizations are under pressure to improve services because of an aging population and increasing healthcare demands. Lean healthcare management focuses on improving service quality and efficiency under the condition of limited resources, but it may overlook patients' emotional needs and experiences, especially in developing countries. This study advocates integrating medical humanities with lean healthcare to develop a patient-centered service model. METHODS: The study employs literature review to discuss the critical role of medical humanities in lean healthcare frameworks, both theoretical and practical. Additionally, it conducts a qualitative study through semi-structured interviews to explore strategies for developing a humanistic lean healthcare model. The study conducts semi - structured interviews with eight management staff members and doctors in a tertiary hospital in China that actively adopts this approach. RESULTS: Eight managers and doctors (five female and three male) were interviewed between January and March 2024 at their chosen locations. Firstly, the study identifies key benefits of integrating medical humanities into lean healthcare, which are as follows: (1) Enhancing the personalization and comprehensiveness of services. (2) Building trust in doctor-patient relationships. (3) Boosting the satisfaction of healthcare teams. Secondly, it highlights strategies for a humanistic approach, namely: (1) Conducting comprehensive patient assessments and providing personalized treatments. (2) Enhancing doctor - patient communication for emotional resonance. (3) Optimizing the medical environment for humanized services. (4) Developing humanistic qualities among healthcare professionals. (5) Using information technology effectively. Additionally, the study also addresses potential issues regarding lean healthcare's focus on profitability and proposes preventive measures: (1) Implementing a scientific evaluation and incentive mechanism. (2) Enhancing transparency and oversight in healthcare. (3) Cultivating a patient - centric medical culture. CONCLUSIONS: This research proposes a patient-centered lean healthcare model integrating medical humanities, providing a novel framework for improving service quality and efficiency while ensuring compassionate care. This management framework can support the reform of public hospitals in China and also serve as a reference for other countries.