Total Quality Implementation Impact and Barriers in Saudi Health Sector

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION1

Background of the Study1

Healthcare Services in Saudi Arabia2

Aims and Objectives3

Structure of the Thesis4

LITERATURE REVIEW5

Introduction5

Continuous Quality Improvement in Healthcare5

Hospital Administration and Quality Management System8

METHODOLOGY10

Research Design10

Ethical Concerns11

REFERENCES12

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this chapter is to provide the reader a brief overview about the research topic and provides the main purpose and aim behind this research study. It comprises of the background of the problem, which provides a brief overview of the topic of the research and the problem.

Background of the Study

Healthcare quality has become a key issue, secondary to the primary issue of economic problems that individuals are currently experiencing. According to State of the USA Health Indicators (SUSA), public polls conducted over the past 20 years have identified issues in healthcare as a primary concern. Health and healthcare problems facing the United States were strongly debated throughout the 2008 presidential campaign. The SUS A report stated that, there is widespread discussion about healthcare quality (Griffith and White 2005, 170), about disparities in health and access to healthcare (Griffith and White 2005, 170) and about the factors that contribute to the health of individuals and populations (Griffith and White 2005, 170).

The progress of health care has been tracked for centuries. According to SUSA (2009), the London "Bills of Mortality" began in 1629. Essentially, this document would track deaths associated with the plague or other causes. By the early 1800s, the United States was collecting data measuring local- and state-level vital information. During the 1950s, new measures were considered related to chronic disease. In addition, surveys were produced to measure specific illnesses and injuries (SUSA). The measures of assessing healthcare have changed within the scope of time. As of 2009, environmental factors, lifestyle, and human genetics have been researched. A collective body is investigating preventive services (SUSA). Multiple views have been expressed to understand health effects. According to SUSA, various opinions have been expressed on the distinction of disease, health, functioning, and well-being.

Healthcare Services in Saudi Arabia

Prior to 1926 the Official Saudi health care system consisted or a small "health office" in Makkah, the holy place. This health office was established to take care of major health emergency at the time of pilgrimage. In 1931, its name was changed to "Health and first Aid Department," and it was placed under the Ministry of Interior. By 1951, the primary focus of this department had shifted from the pilgrims to the general population, and the scope and size of its activities had so rapidly expanded, that it was upgraded to the Ministry of Health (Hirtz, Murray and Riordan 2007, 22).

One outgrowth of Saudi modernization has been the expansion of free medical and health services to all residents. Therefore, in pursuance of its policy to provide integrated health services to all citizens, the government has substantially expanded its medical and health facilities in recent years, particularly in areas not covered by such services before. These services are provided through a number of channels ...