Implementing hospital self-management policy in Chile: Health professionals' perceptions

Abstract

Context of the problem: Hospitals have been considered a main component for health systems success. Objective: To describe perceptions from hospital staff regarding the implementation of the hospital self-management policy in two highly complex facilities in Chile. Justification: A successful policy implementation demands aligned health professionals regarding policy changes. Methods: Descriptive and exploratory qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews for health professionals from two hospitals in southern Chile. A convenience sample of nineteen health professionals was selected for interviewing. The interviews' analysis was thought as the content analysis technique in its conventional approach. Results: For health professionals, a hospital's self-management policy is conceptualized from financial autonomy. Human resources for health and organizational capabilities still remain as weaknesses of the implementation process. Conclusions: Overcoming gaps between design and implementation processes are crucial for success in hospital reform implementation.