Healthcare management challenges in two university hospitals

The economic downturn in developed countries has had implications in the field of healthcare. In Finland, public hospitals have been forced to improve their production efficiency while coping with limited resources. In this study, 14 interviewees from two Finnish University hospitals were interviewed. The aim of the study was to shed light on today's work process, change, information, medical technology, and lean management challenges. Both hospitals had recently undergone rigorous renovation and relocation projects. The employees and patients were happy with the hospital management. However, there were several improvements needed regarding hospital hierarchy, bureaucracy, communication, ICT technology, logistics, safety, teamwork, personnel structure and outsourcing. The managements at both hospitals desired to improve their work processes, employee well-being and patient care, and also develop the lean work processes. Several functions were praiseworthy, and those in need of improvement were transparently discussed by the hospital management.