Leadership survey: Organisational culture is the key to better health care

Summary

Analysis of the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) Catalyst Insights Council Survey on organisational culture.

Content

Organisational culture is the essential element in meeting healthcare goals, according to Stephen Swensen, Professor Emeritus at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Senior Fellow at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. “Culture, more than anything else, drives performance,” he says.

In that context, it is notable that culture at many healthcare organisations is changing, and in the right direction, say nearly 60% of respondents to the latest NEJM Catalyst Insights Council survey. Three-quarters of respondents (clinical leaders, clinicians, and executives from organisations directly involved in health care delivery) label culture change a high or moderate priority in their organisation.