Decision maker views on priority setting in the Vancouver Island Health Authority
2008

Decision Maker Views on Priority Setting in the Vancouver Island Health Authority

Sample size: 18 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Dionne Francois, Craig Mitton, Neale Smith, Cam Donaldson

Primary Institution: University of British Columbia

Hypothesis

What do healthcare decision-makers want in a priority setting process?

Conclusion

Healthcare decision-makers desire a more formal, evidence-based priority setting process that includes clear criteria and stakeholder representation.

Supporting Evidence

  • Respondents identified nine key features of a desirable priority setting process.
  • Existing priority setting processes were found to be lacking on most of these desired features.
  • Political considerations and organizational culture were identified as factors influencing resource allocation.

Takeaway

This study talks to healthcare leaders about how they decide what to spend money on and what they think would make those decisions better.

Methodology

In-depth, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 18 senior managers and medical directors.

Potential Biases

The awareness of impending changes might have led to biased responses, either justifying the change or feeling freer to criticize the current process.

Limitations

Respondents were aware that the interviews were part of a project introducing a new priority setting process, which may have influenced their responses.

Participant Demographics

Participants included senior managers and medical directors from the Vancouver Island Health Authority, with a mix of physicians and professional managers.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1478-7547-6-13

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