DNV Healthcare in China: making healthcare healthier

Abstract

This thesis presents the findings from an explorative research study of the Chinese healthcare market, with specific focus on the accreditation, certification and consulting market. The research has been conducted for DNV Healthcare (DNVHC), a division of Det Norske Veritas (DNV). DNV has been present in China since 1888, however DNVHC are new to the Chinese market and have at present time not conducted actual sales of their services in China. METHODOLOGY The authors of this thesis have used literature and findings from articles as secondary data. These articles are summarized in the appendix; summary compendium 1 and 2. For their primary data findings they have conducted a series of interviews, using an explorative design. The interviewees include DNV staff, DNVHC staff, doctors, hospital administrative, lawyers and professors. FINDINGS The findings in this thesis indicate that there is a growing demand for better healthcare in China, as the current system is not functioning as well as it should. The Government has taken steps towards improvement, by launching a pilot reform in 2009. The likelihood of success will be higher if the government brings in a third party to overview the success or failure of the pilot reform and implement suggestions for improvement. Findings show that there is lack of knowledge about accreditation and certification within the healthcare system. And where there is knowledge the necessary funds are often lacking.