A Framework to Implement Organisational Performance Measurement in Health Charities

Abstract

Organisational Performance Measurement (OPM) is a recognised management tool for business success, however it is under-reported and potentially under-utilised by non-acute health charities. This is the first study to recommend a set of methodological implementation factors for OPM in health charities that provide non-acute services. These factors consider the sector's unique governance, stakeholder and service delivery requirements. A cutting and sorting thematic analysis of data extracted from eligible sources of a PRISMA systematic literature review was used to generate a set of implementation factors and operating elements for organisational performance measurement (OPM) in non-acute health charities. These were then compared to OPM implementation factors for-profit, government and other not-for-profit. The study found 30 operating elements categorised into five implementation factors for successful OPM implementation for health charities: 1) OPM Implementation Plan (9 elements); 2) Commitment (5 elements); 3) Organisation Understanding and Learning (8 elements); 4) Alignment, Integration and Resourcing (5 elements); and 5) Measures and Indicators (3 elements). These factors were packaged as the Framework for Non-Acute Health Charity Performance Implementation (NCPI Framework). The NCPI Framework may support the uptake of OPM within the sector. Case study evaluations of the NCPI Framework will now add value to its continued development.

Staff perceptions of organisational performance measurement implementation in a health charity

“…[5][6][7][8][9] Whereas program evaluations assess singular, point in time, activities within organisations, OPM enables assessment of the full spectrum of capability to achieve their potential and organisational purpose. 6,8 As described in recent publications, non-acute health charities are both not-for-profit organisations and health service providers, 2,10 and despite broad service scopes, share a number of common governance and service similarities. 11 They traditionally provide initial assessments and concentrate on non-hospital maintenance care health services over long periods as opposed to complex stabilisation.…”

“…11 They traditionally provide initial assessments and concentrate on non-hospital maintenance care health services over long periods as opposed to complex stabilisation. 2,[10][11][12][13] Such organisations are well recognised in Western nations and developing countries and form part of the World Health Organisation's Civil Society Initiative's non-government health industry. [14][15][16] Colbran at al.…”

“…8,[28][29][30][31] The lack of OPM by non-acute health charities may in part be as a result of the fact an evidence-informed model of implementing OPM in non-acute health charities, tailored to the unique nuances of the sector, has not existed in published literature. 11 In response, Colbran et al 10 developed the Non-Acute Health Charity Performance Implementation Framework (NCPI Framework, Table 1). The NCPI Framework was developed using OLT and action implementation methodology.…”

“…As described in recent publications, non-acute health charities are both not-for-profit organisations and health service providers, 2,10 and despite broad service scopes, share a number of common governance and service similarities. 11 They traditionally provide initial assessments and concentrate on non-hospital maintenance care health services over long periods as opposed to complex stabilisation.…”

“…10 These approaches fundamentally look to build and embed whole-of-organisation experience, and the culture and learning processes necessary to develop systemic commitment, investment, and renewal in knowledge and behaviour. 10,11 The NCPI Framework recommends 30 operating elements that are grouped into five implementation factors – Implementation Plan (9 elements); Commitment (5 elements); Organisation Understanding and Learning (8 elements); Alignment, Integration and Resourcing (5 elements); and Measures and Indicators (3 elements). 2,10 These step-by-step elements can be used as a checklist to inform the tailored design of an OPM plan within an individual non-acute health charity.…”