Effective cooperation influencing performance: a study in Dutch hospitals

Objective: This study focuses on cooperation between physicians and managers and aspects of that cooperation that can provide leads for interventions aimed at enhancing hospital performance. - \ud Design: We performed a qualitative study on cooperation between physicians and managers and the influence of that cooperation on hospital performance, and structured the resulting data according to the conditions of Allport's theory on intergroup conflicts. - \ud Setting: General hospitals in the Netherlands. - \ud Participants: Thirty physicians (surgical and internal) and managers (strategic, tactic and operational) working in five different hospitals. - \ud Interventions: In-depth interviews exploring the influence of cooperation between physicians and managers on hospital performance. - \ud Main Outcome Measures: Respondents confirmed the complexity of the relationship between physicians and managers and the link between their cooperation and hospital performance. Mentioned aspects such as power and status differences, clarity in decision-making and personal click, are important in determining the effectiveness of the cooperation between physicians and managers. - \ud Results: Our study suggests that the effectiveness of cooperation between physicians and managers is related to the uptake of quality initiatives and hospital performance. - \ud Conclusions: The complex relationship between physicians and managers can be referred to as an intergroup conflict situation. We combined Allport's Contact theory conditions with aspects found in our study leading to the following facilitating conditions: address common goals; create interdependent tasks; arrange the support of authorities and respect the medical domain. They will enhance intra-hospital cooperation and therewith hospital performance

Is surgical subspecialization associated with hand grip strength and manual dexterity?:A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare hand grip strength (HGS) and manual dexterity of academic, subspecialized surgeons. METHODS: A single-center cross-sectional study was performed among 61 surgeons. HGS was analysed with a hand dynamometer and manual dexterity was extensively analysed with a Purdue Pegboard Test. Correlations between HGS and manual dexterity and specific characteristics of the surgeons were analysed using Pearson's correlation coefficient (r). RESULTS: HGS and manual dexterity were comparable between surgeons from different specialities. HGS was positively correlated with male gender (r = 0.59, p < 0.001) and hand glove size (r = 0.61, p < 0.001), whereas manual dexterity was negatively correlated with male gender (r = −0.35, p = 0.006), age (r = −0.39, = 0.002), and hand glove size (r = −0.46, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical subspecialization was not correlated with HGS or manual dexterity. Male surgeons have greater HGS, whereas female surgeons have better manual dexterity. Manual dexterity is also correlated with age, showing better scores for younger surgeons

Quantifying culture gaps between physicians and managers in Dutch hospitals: a survey

Background: The demands in hospitals for safety and quality, combined with limitations in financing health care require effective cooperation between physicians and managers. The complex relationship between both groups has been described in literature. We aim to add a perspective to literature, by developing a questionnaire which provides an opportunity to quantitatively report and elaborate on the size and content of differences between physicians and managers. Insight gained from use of the questionnaire might enable us to reflect on these differences and could provide practical tools to improve cooperation between physicians and managers, with an aim to enhance hospital performance.\ud \ud Methods: The CG-Questionnaire was developed by adjusting, pre-testing, and shortening Kralewski's questionnaire, and appeared suitable to measure culture gaps. It was shortened by exploratory factor analysis, using principal-axis factoring extraction with Varimax rotation. The CG-Questionnaire was sent to all physicians and managers within 37 Dutch general hospitals. ANOVA and paired sample T-tests were used to determine significant differences between perceptions of daily work practices based in both professional cultures; culture gaps. The size and content of culture gaps were determined with descriptive statistics.\ud \ud Results: The total response (27%) consisted of 929 physicians and 310 managers. The Cronbachs alpha's were 0.70 - 0.79. Statistical analyses showed many differences; culture gaps were found in the present situation; they were even larger in the preferred situation. Differences between both groups can be classified into three categories: (1) culture gaps in the present situation and not in the preferred, (2) culture gaps in the preferred situation and not in the present, and (3) culture gaps in both situations.\ud \ud Conclusions: With data from the CG-Questionnaire it is now possible to measure the size and content of culture gaps between physicians and managers in hospitals. Results gained with the CG-Questionnaire enables hospitals to reflect on these differences. Combining the results, we distinguished three categories of increasing complexity. We linked these three categories to three methods from intergroup literature (enhanced information, contact and ultimately meta cognition) which could help to improve the cooperation between physicians and managers

Early Diagnosis of Vegetation Health From High-Resolution Hyperspectral and Thermal Imagery: Lessons Learned From Empirical Relationships and Radiative Transfer Modelling

[Purpose of Review] We provide a comprehensive review of the empirical and modelling approaches used to quantify the radiation–vegetation interactions related to vegetation temperature, leaf optical properties linked to pigment absorption and chlorophyll fluorescence emission, and of their capability to monitor vegetation health. Part 1 provides an overview of the main physiological indicators (PIs) applied in remote sensing to detect alterations in plant functioning linked to vegetation diseases and decline processes. Part 2 reviews the recent advances in the development of quantitative methods to assess PI through hyperspectral and thermal images.[Recent Findings] In recent years, the availability of high-resolution hyperspectral and thermal images has increased due to the extraordinary progress made in sensor technology, including the miniaturization of advanced cameras designed for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems and lightweight aircrafts. This technological revolution has contributed to the wider use of hyperspectral imaging sensors by the scientific community and industry; it has led to better modelling and understanding of the sensitivity of different ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum to detect biophysical alterations used as early warning indicators of vegetation health.[Summary] The review deals with the capability of PIs such as vegetation temperature, chlorophyll fluorescence, photosynthetic energy downregulation and photosynthetic pigments detected through remote sensing to monitor the early responses of plants to different stressors. Various methods for the detection of PI alterations have recently been proposed and validated to monitor vegetation health. The greatest challenges for the remote sensing community today are (i) the availability of high spatial, spectral and temporal resolution image data; (ii) the empirical validation of radiation–vegetation interactions; (iii) the upscaling of physiological alterations from the leaf to the canopy, mainly in complex heterogeneous vegetation landscapes; and (iv) the temporal dynamics of the PIs and the interaction between physiological changes.The authors received funding provided by the FluorFLIGHT (GGR801) Marie Curie Fellowship, the QUERCUSAT and ESPECTRAMED projects (Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness), the Academy of Finland (grants 266152, 317387) and the European Research Council Synergy grant ERC-2013-SyG-610028 IMBALANCE-P.Peer reviewe

Stereotypical images between physicians and managers in hospitals

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to apply the image theory to the hospital context in order to add a perspective into the known complex relationship between physicians and hospital managers. This insight can enrich current intervention schemes used in health care to facilitate organisational change. - \ud \ud Design/methodology/approach: In this paper, the image theory of Alexander et al. on the known complex intergroup context of physicians and hospital managers is applied. The theory is operationalised in relative status, power, and goal incompatibility. - \ud \ud Findings: The data show the three variables are highly relevant and representative. Hospital managers see physicians as higher in professional status and power, and having different goals. Physicians see hospital managers to have higher power, lower status, and different goals. The study validates the applicability of the image theory in the Dutch hospital context. This results in a questionnaire suitable for performing a quick scan on the strength and direction of intergroup stereotyping within hospital organisations. - \ud \ud Originality/value: Data from the questionnaire give the opportunity to have insight in the way physicians and hospital managers perceive each other. This insight helps to focus attention on bottlenecks and possibilities in enhancing the co-operation between physicians and hospital managers. Research on the relationship between physicians and hospital managers is scarce and mostly of a qualitative nature. This paper is executed in both qualitative and quantitative way, which enables us to empirically and statistically validate the data. The resulting questionnaire is applicable on an organisational intergroup level, while the focus in the extant literature is mostly on the interpersonal or intragroup level

The integrated GOR-COVID-19 health monitor: quarterly reporting ("long-cycle monitoring'')

ABSTRACT: Introduction Because of foreseeable COVID-19- related mental and physical health risks for the general population, a longitudinal health monitor was launched in the Netherlands. The monitoring program includes multiple methods. The current contribution places an emphasis on the so-called “long-cycle” monitoring activities at the national and regional level. The aim is to produce (bi-)annual reports on developments in health status of the general population and several potentially vulnerable subgroups (e.g. psychological and somatic comorbidities, lower socio-economic status). Methods Primary care registrations and questionnaire data were used. Both depend on existing methods of data collection, cover a broad spectrum of health aspects and offer the possibility of pre-COVID-19-comparison. Primary care data were obtained from electronic health records of general practices in the Nivel Primary Care Database. Large-scale survey research with questionnaires was conducted in all the 25 health regions of the Netherlands among 2nd and 4th graders in high schools, adults, elderly and young adults (16-25 years old). Where possible, data were combined with data on socio-economic status and additional health aspects from Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Results The first results from both data sources show that the COVID-19 pandemic undeniably had an effect on the mental health of youth. Compared to 2019, there was a general decrease in overall health and happiness in 2020 and a perceivable increase in social problems as well as health symptoms such as lack of smell and taste. Furthermore, a smaller groups of people experienced more psychological symptoms, serious problems like suicidal thoughts and PTSD symptomatology. Discussion Adverse effects of the pandemic on youth are already visible in the first year after the outbreak. It is crucial to closely monitor the course of this health impact in the years to come, based on the combination of large, representative databases.