An Evidence-Based Framework for Evidence-Based Management in Healthcare Organizations A Delphi Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based management (EBMgt) is agrowing literature concept in management sciences which claimsthat management decision-making must be based on the bestavailable evidence. The aim of this paper is to present andprovide an evidence-based framework for EBMgt to improvedecision-making in healthcare organizations.METHODS: A two-round Delphi survey was used to collect thefactors affecting EBMgt. Purposive and snowball samplingmethods were used in both rounds. In round 1, we conducted asystematic review and a series of semi-structured interviews(n=45). In round 2, a specific questionnaire with four main partswas designed. The experts (n=21) were asked to rate on a 9-pointLikert scale the importance of each factor. The data wascollected through Google Forms (n=11) and paper forms (n=10).RESULTS: Participants were mostly men (73%). Overall, 126factors were selected in round 1. Factors were classified into 4categories: facilitators, barriers, the sources of evidence andEBMgt process that consisted of 48, 46, 22 and 10 factors,respectively. In round 2, based on median scores, many factors(n=114) were found to be very important. Only, 12 factors have amedian score of less than 3 and were excluded from the study.Finally, 114 factors were confirmed.CONCLUSIONS: Confirmed factors played significant roles inaffecting the practice of EBMgt among healthcare managers. Wetried to facilitate interaction between these factors in theframework. Depending on the type of problem, using six steps ofEBMgt process, managers will select the best evidence among sixsources of evidence.