Outsourcing in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences; a before and after study

Abstract

Background: Outsourcing is a kind of participation between public and private sector. This should be monitored and supervised to enhance the quality of outsourced services and to prevent new problems in this area. Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS) hospitals increasingly use outsourcing in recent years. Objectives: The present research aimed at comparing outsourced departments of SUMS from economic view, accessibility of services, and service quality during the years 2010-2012. Methods: A before and after descriptive and analytical design was applied in outsourced departments of SUMS in 2014. First, 17 indicators were extracted by Delphi technique. Then, all outsourced units were assessed using economic, access to services, and quality indicators during 2010 to 2012. Results: After outsourcing, in all pharmacies and dentistry units, except one, loss decreased and benefit increased from public sector viewpoint. The number of personnel for one pharmacy and two laboratories was decreased, while it remained unchanged for dentistry units. The total number of clients was increased for all pharmacies and laboratories and decreased for one dentistry unit. Patient satisfaction for pharmacies, laboratories, and dentistry units was 73.4%, 80.3%, and 78.5%, respectively. Also, employer's satisfaction from contraction was 60%, 68%, and 93.3% for pharmacies, laboratories, and dentistry units, respectively. Conclusion: Outsourcing as an effective strategy resulted in increase in the personnel, client, and stakeholder satisfaction. Also, it increased benefit and decreased cost for public sector. It is recommended that rules for the implementation of this strategy and monitoring the private sector should be defined.

Is it worth outsourcing essential public health services in China?—Evidence from Beilin District of Xi'an

“…18 Also, the satisfaction rate of personal clients and stakeholders can be further improved through outsourcing services. 19 Most studies are still cautious about outsourcing primary health care and public health. Scholars have noticed the effectiveness of health services outsourcing and a series of possible problems, which may affect the efficiency and service quality of outsourced institutions.…”

“…They found that outsourcing can increase patient satisfaction 18 . Also, the satisfaction rate of personal clients and stakeholders can be further improved through outsourcing services 19 …”

Exposure of Public Sector with the Quasi-Market Through Outsourcing: A Case Study in Iran

“…Showed that outsourcing has been successfully undertaken for provision of pharmaceutical services and service purchasing has been the used model (Khooban et al, 2013;Tourani et al, 2010). Outsourcing of clinical and non-clinical services as well as its positive and negative consequences has been studied in several more studies (Barati et al, 2019;Chen, 1999;Hsiao et al, 2009;Kahouei et al, 2016;Karimi et al, 2012;Siganporia et al, 2016). and in some cases, the outsourcing model has been mentioned too (Graham et al, 2019;Jannati et al, 2017;Zhiarfar et al, 2014).…”

Exposure of Public Sector with the Quasi-market Through Outsourcing: A Case Study in Iran

“…Studies by Khooban et al and Tourani et al showed that outsourcing had been successfully undertaken to provide pharmaceutical services, and service purchasing had been the used model (6,24). Outsourcing of clinical and non-clinical services, as well as its positive and negative consequences, has been studied in several more stud-ies (25)(26)(27)(28). Furthermore, in some cases, the outsourcing model has been mentioned (29)(30)(31).…”