Front-Line Ownership - Necessary but not Sufficient.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Service Delivery Models
• Patient-Centered Care

Background:

• Front-line ownership (FLO) is a conceptual construct presented by Gardam et al. (2017) through case studies.
• The existing framework for FLO has face validity but may require further contextual considerations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically evaluate the conditions necessary for the flourishing of front-line ownership.
• To challenge the role of standardization and propose standardization for mass customization.
• To advocate for increased integration of co-production and shared decision-making within the FLO concept.

Main Methods:

• Commentary and critical analysis of the existing front-line ownership (FLO) construct.
• Exploration of alternative approaches to standardization and customization.
• Conceptual integration of co-production and shared decision-making.

Main Results:

• Front-line ownership (FLO) requires specific conditions beyond initial principles to be effective.
• Standardization should enable mass customization to achieve person-centered goals, rather than being a rigid constraint.
• Co-production with service users and shared decision-making are crucial for optimizing FLO.

Conclusions:

• Further research is needed on the contextual conditions for successful front-line ownership.
• A shift towards flexible standardization supporting mass customization is recommended for person-centered care.
• Integrating co-production and shared decision-making can enhance the application and impact of front-line ownership.