Hospitals' financial performance across European countries: a scoping review protocol

INTRODUCTION

Hospitals remain the cornerstone of health systems in European countries. Therefore, the financial sustainability of hospitals constitutes an important determinant of healthcare provision security. The fragmentary data available indicate that hospitals in many European countries are continuously facing financial deficits and/or insolvency problems. Yet a comparative analysis of hospital financial performance across European countries has been lacking. The proposed review will, therefore, fill in an important research gap and build a knowledge base on the topic of assessing and monitoring the financial sustainability of hospitals in Europe. The general objective is to identify, synthetise and map existing evidence on hospital financial performance across European countries.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This scoping review will follow six stages: (1) defining the research question, (2) identifying relevant literature, (3) studies selection, (4) data extraction, (5) collating, summarising and reporting of results and (6) consultation process and involvement of knowledge users. The following databases will be searched:(1) Medline via PubMed, (2) Web of Science Core Collection, (3) Scopus and (4) ProQuest Central. In addition, a Google Engine search will also be performed. Furthermore, reference lists of relevant papers will be visually scanned to identify further studies of interest. The review will include both quantitative and qualitative empirical studies as well as theoretical papers and technical reports. The PRISMA extension for a Scoping Review checklist will be used for reporting.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Formal ethical approval is not required because no primary data will be collected in this study. Results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. The findings will also be disseminated through conference presentations and summaries to key stakeholders.

Barriers and Facilitators to Health-Care Provider Payment Reform - A Scoping Literature Review

Background

Changes to provider payment systems are among the most common reforms in health care. They are important levers for policymakers to influence the health system performance. The aim of this study was to identify, systematize, and map the existing literature on the factors that influence health-care provider payment reforms.

Methods

A scoping review was conducted. Literature published in English between 2000 and 2022 was systematically searched in five databases, relevant organizations, and journals. Academic publications and grey literature on health-care provider payment reform and the factors influencing reform were considered. An inductive thematic analysis was applied to map the barriers and facilitators that influence payment reforms.

Results

The study included 51 publications. They were divided into four categories: empirical studies (n=17), literature reviews (n=6), discussion/policy papers (n=18), and technical reports/policy briefs (n=9). Most of the studies were conducted in developed economy countries (n=36). The most frequently reformed payment method was fee-for-service (n=37), and the newly implemented methods included bundled payments (n=16), pay-for-performance (n=15), and diagnosis-related groups (n=11). This study identified 43 sub-themes on barriers to provider payment reforms, which were grouped into eight main themes. It identified 51 sub-themes on facilitators, which were grouped into six themes. Barriers include stakeholder opposition, challenges related to reform design, hurdles in implementation structures, insufficient resources, challenges related to market structures, legal barriers, knowledge and information gaps, and negative publicity. Facilitators include stakeholder involvement, complementary reforms/policies, relevant prior experience, good leadership and management of change, sufficient resources, and external pressure to introduce reform.

Conclusion

The factors that influence health-care payment reforms are often contextual and interrelated, and encompass a variety of perspectives, including those of patients, providers, insurers, and policymakers. When planning reforms, one should anticipate potential barriers and devise appropriate interventions.

Registration

The study was registered with the Open Science Framework.

Methods and Tools Used to Estimate the Shortages of Medical Staff in European Countries-Scoping Review

Healthcare workforce (HWF) shortages are the biggest challenges today in healthcare systems. Therefore, it is crucial to forecast the future needs of HWFs in order to plan accordingly. The purpose of this study was to identify, map, and synthesize the tools, methods, and procedures for measuring medical staff deficits in Europe. We used the Arksey and O'Malley scoping review methodology. Based on predefined criteria, 38 publications that were retrieved from multiple scientific databases, hand-searched on the internet, from relevant organizations, and scanned from references were considered. They were published between 2002 and 2022. There were 25 empirical studies, 6 theoretical papers, 5 reports, 1 literature review, and 1 guidebook. The majority estimated or measured shortages of physicians (14/38) and nurses (7/38) or looked at HWF generally (10/38). Various methods were used, including projections, estimations, predictions, simulation models, and surveys, which used tools such as special computer software or customized indicators, i.e., the Workload Indicators of Staffing Need method. Researchers estimated HWF shortages at both national and regional levels. Such projections and estimations were often based on demand, supply, and/or need. These methods and tools are not always suited to the needs of a country or medical facility, which is why they need to be further developed and tested.

Competencies of hospital managers - A systematic scoping review

Hospital managers around the world work under constant pressure to adapt their organizations to new challenges and health policy goals. This requires a comprehensive set of competencies. The objective of this scoping review was to identify, map, and systematize the literature on hospital manager competencies. The review involved six steps: (1) defining research questions; (2) identifying relevant literature; (3) selecting publications; (4) data extraction; (5) data analysis and result reporting; and (6) consultations. A total of 57 full-text publications were included (46 empirical studies, six literature reviews, four expert opinions/guidelines, and one dissertation). Interest in this topic has grown in recent years, with most of the identified studies published since 2015. The empirical studies fall into three major groups: 34.8% (16/46) examined hospital managers' competencies in terms of their types or classifications; 30.4% (14/46) focused on their measurement; and 30.4% (14/46) examined both aspects. In majority of studies, both 'hard competencies,' such as specific technical knowledge or skills acquired through practical training, and 'soft competencies,' e.g., adaptability, leadership, communication, teamwork, are echoed for effective hospital management. These point out the importance of both 'external' formal education trainings as well as 'internal' peer-support and/or coaching as complementary competency improvement approaches. This scoping review helps build a knowledge base around the topic and provides implications for future research. The latter can involve: a targeted systematic review addressing the methods for measuring the level of competence of hospital managers or studies focused on identifying the need for new types of competencies.

A systematic scoping review of digital health technologies during COVID-19: a new normal in primary health care delivery

This scoping review compiled information concerning digital health technologies (DHTs) evolution to support primary health care (PHC) during COVID-19 and lessons for the future of PHC. The identified literature was published during the COVID-19 peak years (2019-2021), retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, as well as hand searched on the internet. Predefined inclusion criteria were used, thematic analysis was applied, and reporting followed the PRISMA for Scoping Reviews. A total of 46 studies were included in the final synthesis (40 articles, one book, two book chapters, one working paper, and two technical reports). These studies scrutinized various aspects of DHTs, entailing 19 types of DHTs with 20 areas of use that can be compressed into five bigger PHC functions: general PHC service delivery (teleconsultations, e-diagnosis, e-prescription, etc.); behavior promotion and digital health literacy (e.g., combating vaccine hesitancy); surveillance functions; vaccination and drugs; and enhancing system decision-making for proper follow-up of ongoing PHC interventions during COVID-19. DHTs have the potential to solve some of the problems that have plagued us even prior to COVID-19. Therefore, this study uses a forward-looking viewpoint to further stimulate the use of evidence-based DHT, making it more inclusive, educative, and satisfying to people's needs, both under normal conditions and during outbreaks. More research with narrowed research questions is needed, with a particular emphasis on quality assurance in the use of DHTs, technical aspects (standards for digital health tools, infrastructure, and platforms), and financial perspectives (payment for digital health services and adoption incentives).

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12553-023-00725-7.