Modularising outpatient care delivery: A mixed methods case study at a Finnish University Hospital

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Hospital Operations
• Service Delivery Models

Background:

• Modularisation offers a novel approach to healthcare delivery by integrating standardization with customization.
• Understanding the impact of modularisation on hospital care is crucial for optimizing healthcare services.
• This study aimed to analyze the changes and support modularisation brings to specialized hospital care delivery.

Observation:

• A mixed-methods case study approach was employed, utilizing qualitative (interviews, field notes, documents) and quantitative data (service usage, bed count, personnel resources).
• A reference hospital unit provided context for understanding general care delivery development.
• Data collection focused on identifying key themes related to modularisation's implementation and effects.

Findings:

• Modularisation facilitated a transition from inpatient to outpatient care, improving patient management and treatment times.
• Resource efficiency metrics showed varied outcomes: decreased patients per personnel but increased visits per personnel and bed utilization.
• Key themes included achieving a better balance between healthcare demand and supply.

Implications:

• Modularisation can empower healthcare providers to better classify patients and tailor services to individual needs.
• The findings suggest modularisation is a viable strategy for enhancing specialized hospital care.
• Further research is recommended due to the study's basis in a single university hospital case study.