The Effectiveness of Clinical Pathway Management

Abstract

Background Clinical pathways are known to lead to extensive benefits for all involved parties in hospital environments. Since several years IT supported clinical pathways (in this study: clinical pathway management software) are known to be developed. Few studies research the additional benefits of these software programs. Especially the effectiveness of clinical pathway management software for healthcare professionals remains underexposed.

Aims The aim of this study is to provide a research-based conclusion about the effectiveness of clinical pathway management software for healthcare professionals. This is done by answering the main research question: Can clinical pathway management software be effective for healthcare professionals in hospital environments?

Methods The research method consists of two parts: a desk-research in the form of a literature study and field research in the form of a single-case study. The main part of the literature study is guided by the process of a systematic literature review. Additional information about the case study is found in an unstructured way. The case study is held in four of the seven departments of the Utrecht Medical Center who work with the newly developed clinical pathway management software program, named Check-It. The participants in this study are asked about the perceived effectiveness in surveys as well as semi-structured interviews.

Findings The systematic literature review showed that IT is known to be important for hospitals and also thought to be of importance for clinical pathways. Clinical pathway management software can lead to the opportunity to deliver faster and better information, economic benefits, and a higher patient satisfaction. The case study showed that Check-It is perceived effective in two of the four researched departments. These outcomes are dependent on the environment they work in. Healthcare professionals in departments with a positive attitude towards a (new) system and who collectively use the system, are more inclined to profit from Check-It. There are also strong indications that Check-It is more effective for ‘physicians and medical specialists’ than for other healthcare professionals in the hospital environment. This particular clinical pathway management program leads among others to less forgotten tasks, makes it easier to work due to pre filled orders and letters, leads to a better overview, but is also perceived as not flexible enough.

Conclusion Clinical pathway management software can be effective for healthcare professionals in hospital environments. However, this depends on the environment the software is used in.