A new approach for goal-oriented analysis of healthcare processes

The development of efficient e-services for patient-centered healthcare requires insight into concrete problems in administrative and clinical work processes as well as an understanding of the strategic goals that should guide these healthcare processes. However, considering both concrete process related problems and high-level strategic goals during process analysis and solution design can be problematic. To address this, we propose a structured approach for analyzing both high- and low-level goals in a healthcare process and relating these to identified problems. Thereby proposed solutions for each problem in form of, e.g. e-services can be connected to strategic goals. The approach consists of five steps; process modeling; process-based problem identification and classification; process goal identification; mapping to strategic goals; and solution proposal. The approach is illustrated by examples from a case study of Swedish stroke care. In conclusion, the approach enables analysis of high- and low-level goals in a healthcare process by relating these to identified problems. The results thereof form a basis for redefinition of current care processes, as well as for design of supporting e-health solutions.