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Healthcare managers' decision making: findings of a small scale exploratory study

Centre for Health Information Management Research Department of Information Studies University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK, jmacdonald{at}swndha.nshealth.ca

Peter A. Bath

Department of Information Studies University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK, P.A.Bath{at}sheffield.ac.uk

Andrew Booth

School of Health and Related Research University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK, A.Booth{at}sheffield.ac.uk

Managers who work in publicly funded healthcare organizations are an understudied group. Some of the influences on their decisions may be unique to healthcare. This study considers how to integrate research knowledge effectively into healthcare managers' decision making, and how to manage and integrate information that will include community data. This first phase in a two-phase mixed methods research study used a qualitative, multiple case studies design. Nineteen semi-structured interviews were undertaken using the critical incident technique. Interview transcripts were analysed using the NatCen Framework. One theme represented `information and decisions'. Cases were determined to involve complex multi-level, multi-situational decisions with participants in practical rather than ceremonial work roles. Most considered organizational knowledge in the first two decision phases and external knowledge, including research, in the third phase. All participants engaged in satisficing to some degree.

Key Words: decision complexity • healthcare managers • naturalistic decision making • organizational decision making • work roles

Health Informatics Journal, Vol. 14, No. 4, 247-258 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/1460458208096554


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