The applicability of COBIT processes representation structure for quality improvement in healthcare: a Delphi study

Abstract

Abstract Objectives In healthcare, a variety of quality management practices are used. Although they are important sources for quality improvement initiatives, they do not focus on each particular process. On the other hand, ‘Control Objectives for Information and Related Technologies’ (COBIT) offers a well-defined process representation structure for representing potential process improvements. The objective of this study was to adopt the COBIT structure for healthcare processes and assess the applicability of such process representations. Design A two-round Delphi technique was applied: in round 1, open-ended interviews were performed with the participants; in round 2, the participants responded to the web questionnaire. Settings The participants provided their opinion between 11 September 2018 and 26 June 2019. Participants It included 37 members of an expert panel from 8 European countries. Intervention N/A Main Outcome Measures In round 1, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats indicators of using the proposed structure in healthcare were identified. These were evaluated on a 9-point Likert scale in round 2. Results All participants noted that elements of the COBIT process representation structure were suitable for representing healthcare processes. The consensus was reached only for strengths and opportunities indicators. Conclusions A set of processes represented with the suggested structure has the potential to become a valid reference in healthcare quality improvements initiatives, as COBIT in IT domain. Despite the fact that the expert panel members confirmed the applicability of the COBIT process representation structure for healthcare processes, the identified weaknesses and threats cannot be ignored.