Exploring Outsourcing Practices in Jordanian Hospitals: Benefits, Challenges, and Strategic Insights
Keywords:
Outsourcing, healthcare management, Jordanian hospitals, service quality, cost reduction, strategic planning, satisfaction levelsAbstract
Background: Outsourcing is widely adopted in healthcare as a strategic approach to managing operational challenges such as cost reduction, service quality enhancement, and access to specialized expertise. However, outsourcing also presents risks, including losing control and supplier dependency. While extensively studied in developed countries, limited research exists on outsourcing practices in healthcare institutions in developing countries like Jordan.
Purpose: This study aims to explore the current status of outsourcing in Jordanian hospitals, examining the extent of outsourcing, the associated advantages and disadvantages, satisfaction levels, challenges faced, and the strategies used for monitoring outsourced services.
Methods: A quantitative research design was employed, utilizing a structured, self-administered questionnaire to collect data from 83 senior managers across government-owned, private, and educational hospitals in Jordan. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data, including means, standard deviations, and frequencies.
Results: The study found that outsourcing is prevalent in Jordanian hospitals, with services such as waste disposal, communication, and laundry being the most commonly outsourced. Managers reported benefits such as workforce reduction and cost savings but also noted challenges, including political interference, limited-service providers, and contract management issues. Despite these challenges, high satisfaction levels were reported for catering, radiology, and ambulance services due to solid relationships with suppliers and realized cost reductions.
Conclusion: Outsourcing in Jordanian hospitals offers significant benefits but poses challenges requiring careful management. Effective governance, strategic planning, and continuous monitoring are essential for optimizing outsourcing outcomes. Addressing political and resource-related challenges is crucial for improving the efficacy of outsourcing in Jordan's healthcare sector.
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