IHM discusses improvement and modernisation of public services

The latest issue of the International Journal of Healthcare Management highlights the requirement to improve and modernise public services. Vol. 5, No. 4 of the publication discusses the novel developments within healthcare and cites the most relevant articles within this area.

The process of innovation is a difficult one and like most change, is often met with resistance leading to slow adoption; these changes need full support from employees and management alike to lead to the improvement of healthcare outcomes.

Dr Susan Hamer et al. propose the top 10 best papers all healthcare managers should familiarise themselves with. A study has been conducted to identify and select the 10 best articles, to build further on the knowledge of managers by offering an introduction in the academic discussion on this topic.

Dr Hamer, one of the guest editors of the issue, comments within the introduction: "In this special issue the editorial team has sought to present a theory of innovation which actively considers the dynamic between health professionals and health managers. We have also through a series of papers tried to present a more considered and focused view of the healthcare innovation landscape. In doing this we have also been able to demonstrate to health researchers that there remain some very fertile areas for future empirical research."

Also within the issue Domehan et al. consider various approaches to social marketing. This form of marketing is used to achieve specific behavioural goals for a social good. Acting as a substitute to traditional marketing, it focuses on social and behavioural change and has many parallels with healthcare management. What makes social marketing successful is the focus placed on empathising with the client, in the same way patient-centred healthcare does. 

The International Journal of Healthcare Management serves all those directly involved in, or concerned with, the organisation, delivery, marketing and management of healthcare services, at a strategic and operational level. It provides a peer-reviewed forum for the publication of briefings, discussion, applied research, case studies, expert comment and analysis on the key issues affecting the management and marketing of this sector.