Analysis of implementation of the strategic management concept in the healthcare system of Serbia

Abstract

Background/Aim: Healthcare institutions in Serbia are facing both considerable external pressures, such as political, economic, demographic and epidemiologic volatility on the one hand, and the need to maximize the utilization of their capacities and enhance the functioning of the facilities in an effective and efficient manner. The purpose of this paper is to assess the current state of strategic management in healthcare organizations in Serbia and suggest an appropriate model to facilitate and improve this process. Methods: The research conducted entailed collection of information by means of a survey. The survey consisted of 20 questions selected after conducting interviews with the focus groups and performing an analysis of the current trends in implementation of strategic management in the healthcare institutions across the world. A total of 43 institutions were surveyed. Results: Statistical processing of the data confirmed the general hypothesis that healthcare organizations in Serbia do in fact use strategic analysis methods and use them to set objectives and identify initiatives, however, the monitoring and control of strategy implementation are not undertaken in a way that is founded in theory and empirically confirmed. This general hypothesis was confirmed by individual hypotheses which indicate the existence of a direct link between the strategic initiatives that are successfully implemented and the following: strategic alignment of the initiatives, systematic approach to priority setting; clear definition of plans for implementation o initiatives; systems of monitoring, control, and evaluation of strategies. Conclusion. The results of research undertaken across healthcare organizations in Serbia, together with the analysis of systems in other countries indicate that strategic management constitutes a critical factor of success of these institutions. The strategic management model presented herein encompasses methods and techniques used in healthcare organizations to a greater or smaller extend which, in a slightly modified form, has been confirmed in practice in Serbia in many ways. Thus, the model constitutes one of the ways forward towards a more efficient and effective provision of healthcare services to Serbian citizens.