Important mechanisms to succeed with facilitating a continuous learning culture and change processes within hospitals

Abstract

This paper examines the implementation of new initiatives within the healthcare sector. Our motivation for the study is the positive impact a successful new initiative can have on patient treatment and thereby affect people’s lives. Within Akershus universitetssykehus (Ahus) we have looked at which factors and mechanisms that has affected the change process within two departments. Furthermore, if the quality improvement program has affected the routines and thereby caused a continuous learning culture. The paper examines two departments within Ahus that has implemented new initiatives, and our data was collected through semi-structured interviews and observations. After transcribing and analyzing our collected data, we found that the structural changes made was an important mechanism to successfully achieve improved patient treatment. Further, we found that the support from the Development-unit staff, and their improvement-knowledge, was important to successfully implement the new initiatives and thereby facilitate a continuous learning culture within the department.