Transformational Impact Rating System: a method to assess the impact potential of hospitals in low-resource settings

Abstract

Background: Christian mission hospitals provide critical assistance to communities that need their services the most, yet they often lack the financial and human resources needed to realize their full potential for community impact. Existing charity rating organizations rate few charities and lack transparency for donors, and limited resources exist to help volunteers find organizations that would benefit from their services the most. The objective of this article is to develop a transparent Transformational Impact Rating System (TIRS) that can be used by funding agencies and volunteer directing agencies to assess the potential for transformational impact of any hospital anywhere in the world. Methods: Research to inform the rating system was conducted via a comprehensive review of existing charity rating systems and literature, in-depth interviews, and surveys. TIRS was developed by identifying, selecting, categorizing, and allocating weights to variables. TIRS was implemented via a custom-built website to enable future testing and evolution. Results: A rating system was developed that generates an overall hospital score and scores in each of five categories (regional impact potential, financial health, operational performance, external relations, and volunteer experience) based on data collected from the hospital and surveys of donors, volunteers, staff, patients, and the local community. Discussion: TIRS in its current state is a proof of concept that demonstrates data-driven decision-making for funding and staffing hospitals with high potential for transformational impact. TIRS can be modified for future applications. Conclusion: TIRS provides a proof-of-concept system through which all hospitals in low-resource settings can make their impact potential visible to donors and volunteers. If TIRS (with suggested modifications) is used by those interested in helping mission hospitals, invisible hospitals that are struggling in remote areas will be more likely to receive much-needed resources. TIRS can help direct declining funds and manpower to hospitals that have the highest potential for transformational impact.

Keywords

• low-resource setting
• impact potential
• donation
• volunteer
• mission hospitals