Perceptions of improvement work in Swedish health care: implications for improvement practices

This study explored perceptions of improvement work in Swedish health care. The article discusses effects that these perceptions may have on improvement processes. As part of a broader study surveying managers' (n = 2313) view of improvement work in Swedish health care, this study focused on those 845 managers who regarded their improvement work as bringing about benefits. Three underlying factors that may characterize the managers' perceptions are exposed. More than 50% of the respondents perceive a complexity in the practices and techniques associated with improvement work. Furthermore, approximately 50% of the managers recognize a conflict in the meeting between the improvement work and the organization. This indicates that adaptation is a primary concern in this work. The managers' perceptions also reveal that the experience of improvement work in Swedish health care may be positive, although the perception is that it does not necessarily generate more health care per monetary unit.