COMMUNITY-BASED HOME HOSPITALIZATION IN THE ISRAELI PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF THE VIEWS OF HEALTH SYSTEM MANAGERS

Abstract

Community-based home hospitalization (CBHH) is a relatively new approach to hospitalization in the Israeli health system. We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured questionnaires to investigate the views on this issue of managers in different management positions in the Israeli public health system. Eighteen managers participated in the study and their interviews were transcribed and analysed using qualitative methods. The conducted analysis resulted in the following categories: CBHH as an alternative to inpatient care, its value for patients, setting success measures for CBHH, motivation and responsibility of the Ministry of Health, organizational change, the economic feasibility of this approach, and the general wellbeing of the patient within this model. The results of the study show that CBHH is perceived by managers in the Israeli public health system as a good alternative to inpatient care and as a service that must be further developed, especially given the growing shortage of beds, hospitalization complications, the patient's desire to stay at home and the increasing public health costs. At the same time, the participants expressed different opinions regarding the economic viability of the existing model in terms of the Israeli health plans that operate CBHH, and the suitability of the service for all potential patients.

Keywords

• health system; policy;
• home hospitalization;
• patient;