To read this content please select one of the options below:

Integrated care pathways: pathways to change in health care?

Claire Whittle (University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK)
Alistair Hewison (University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK)

Journal of Health Organization and Management

ISSN: 1477-7266

Article publication date: 3 July 2007

2610

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that, if teams in healthcare focus on the patient using the framework of a care pathway, change can occur without the overt need to “manage” it directly.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper the relevant literature is reviewed and it is demonstrated that if this approach is used it also provides a means for addressing difficult professional and organisational issues that are often unresolved in broader projects of organisational change. This is not presented as a panacea or the solution to all change projects, rather the contention here is that it is one means among many that can be used to bring about important changes in practice.

Findings

The paper finds that care pathways represent a useful tool, which teams can use to work through the contextual and practical issues involved in changing practice.

Originality/value

The paper describes the development of integrated care pathways, which can be regarded as a fortunate fusion of managerial and professional concerns.

Keywords

Citation

Whittle, C. and Hewison, A. (2007), "Integrated care pathways: pathways to change in health care?", Journal of Health Organization and Management, Vol. 21 No. 3, pp. 297-306. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777260710751753

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Related articles