Developing a physician engagement agreement at The Ottawa Hospital: a collaborative approach

Healthc Q. 2012;15(3):50-3. doi: 10.12927/hcq.2013.23020.

Abstract

The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) is focused on providing safe, high-quality care to its patients. TOH has identified physician engagement as a critical factor for improving the quality of care they provide. The physician engagement strategy developed at TOH involved a qualitative inquiry into the impediments and facilitators of engagement. Using concurrent focus groups, researchers collected and analyzed the physicians' perspective regarding engagement. A systematic analysis of the verbal data was used to construct a statement of mutual understanding between the physicians and the hospital (physician engagement agreement). The process of developing this agreement is the focus of this article.

MeSH terms

  • Cooperative Behavior*
  • Female
  • Focus Groups
  • Hospital-Physician Relations*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Medical Staff, Hospital / organization & administration*
  • Negotiating
  • Ontario
  • Personnel Administration, Hospital*
  • Quality of Health Care*