Abstract:
This dissertation is a qualitative research of a study of the evaluation of knowledge management (KM) in Thai public hospitals which is based on three selected community hospitals. They are (1) Bangkrathum Hospital in Phisanulok province, (2) Bungkhla Hospital in BuengKan province, and (3) Dansai Crown Prince Hospital in Loei province. The objectives are (1) to study present phenomena of KM and mainly the evaluation of KM of case hospitals, and (2) to generate appropriate evaluation of KM guidelines for Thai public hospitals, especially community hospitals. The methods used are in-depth interviews of 21 hospital administrators and focus groups among 24 persons who are in charge of the management system and the patients. All data are analyzed with thematic analysis. Content analysis of relevant documents and non-participatory observations are held among key issues of KM and the evaluation of KM.
Major findings follows (1) similar characteristics of three hospitals are using participation management and quality improvement committees. The organization structure is flat and matrix; by using medical persons across the board, which empower and encourage participatory process of KM and evaluation of KM. However, there are different levels of KM according to their organization contexts and environment factors.
(2) KM is enforced by top-down policy which finally integrated into routine jobs and quality system. According to KM process, the knowledge identification of each hospital is initiated by the patient care team and varies depend on contexts. The knowledge creation and acquisition, knowledge codification and refinement are operated by the same teams. The first significant finding of this paper is that the knowledge sharing and learning of the best practices, processed through spiritual knowledge management , has been influenced the continuous development and improvement of quality services. However, the systemic knowledge management could not been established throughout the public hospitals. And finally, (3) the evaluation of knowledge management of all 3 hospitals can divide into four aspects such as (I) evaluators, as the coaches and facilitators, have good communication and spiritual skill.(II) stakeholders attitude and information need are recognized. (III) the evaluation system is spiritual and empowerment after action review (SEM AAR), which reflect and recognize the value of workers and each other, this after action review is empowerment and encouragement stakeholders, this is second significant finding from this paper. And (IV) the results of the evaluation are improvement and responsiveness system which distribute community knowledge.
The recommendation of this study is that Thais public community hospitals are (1) the hospital administrator, chief knowledge officer or project manager should be the evaluators, who worked as the coaches and facilitators. Especially, organization structure should be flat and matrix. (2) Not only stakeholders attitude and commitment but also community ownership and democratic participation are recognized. The organization culture should be team work oriented. (3) the evaluation system is spiritual and empowerment after action review (SEM AAR), which reflected understanding and awareness value of workers and each other, this review was empowerment and participation stakeholders. If it could be self-evaluation and overall feedback which is appreciation and suggestion system. And (4) the outcome of this evaluation should be organized via the collection the results and management of organizations information and knowledge.