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Verschillen tussen de bezoekregelingen in Nederlandse en Duitse ziekenhuizen

Bestert, A. and Dassen, M.N. and Kernebeck, A-L. and Wilms, B.M. (2013) Verschillen tussen de bezoekregelingen in Nederlandse en Duitse ziekenhuizen.

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Abstract:Unlike the Dutch hospitals, hospitals in Germany do not apply, or hardly apply visiting hours. When a Dutch person will visit a patient in a German hospital, he or she will search for visiting hours on websites, but cannot find them quite often. Predetermined visiting hours are in the Netherlands rather common, whereas in Germany it is not likely that hospitals apply these hours. Interesting, because what aspects cause these differences in visiting arrangements? The main question in this research is: What causes the differences in visiting arrangements between Dutch and German hospitals? The answer to this question can be interesting for several hospital managements. Through new insights, both Dutch and German hospital managements are given the opportunity to evaluate and possibly change their visiting arrangements. It is tried to determine a theoretical explanation for the differences, based on the concepts of grouded theory, a method for analyzing qualitative data. “Grounded theory is most appropriate - where researchers have an interesting phenomenon without explanation and from which they seek to “discover theory from data”. Collecting the data is divided in two parts. There was started with a literature study that is used to collect existing information about visiting arrangements. In the second part there are conducted several interviews to gather insights about the motivations for open or predetermined visiting arrangements. Eventually the collected data for both countries are categorized and analyzed in order to define the motives for the differences. The interviews did not provide enough sufficient information. Therefore additional information was collected through internet, literature and public documents. This provided a clear view on the current practice. One of the most important findings is the major differences between the visiting arrangements for Dutch and German hospitals. The Netherlands apply mostly predetermined and quite strict visiting arrangements, whereas in Germany these are more flexible. There is also a clear difference in the motivations to choose for a specific visiting arrangement. The open visiting arrangements in Germany are emanated from the motivation of patientcentered- care. The perspective of the patient is most important in the treatment. According to the German respondents it is not possible to apply patient-centered care with restricted visiting arrangements. However, in the Netherlands it is more likely to apply restricted visiting arrangements, mostly based on logistic aspects. The medical and care-related processes need restricted visiting arrangements, according to the Dutch respondents. The differences between both countries become also clear when there is looked at the way the healthcare systems are organized. Compared to the Netherlands, Germany has more beds available per capita, the amount of days that a patient is hospitalized is higher and the use of specialized care is also quicker and more often utilized. All these aspects are potential indicators for the vision on sickness and health and how these terms are applied to society. Based on the collected data it can be concluded that the differences in visiting arrangements between Dutch and German hospitals are not only based on rational considerations, but on cultural contexts as well. Both countries have their own vision on applying visiting arrangements. The organization of the healthcare system, thinking about good care-processes and the societal expectations seem to be determinative for the organization of the care-processes. Each country has its own traditions, standards and values, which seems to be reflected in the decision about a specific visiting arrangement. Culture is an aspect that seems to explain the differences in visiting arrangements. However, culture is a quite broad term, influenced by standards, values and ethical aspects. It should be researched further to determine which of these elements contribute to the differences in the visiting arrangements of Dutch and German hospitals. These elements are not included in this research, because of restricted time for the bachelor assignment.
Item Type:Essay (Bachelor)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:85 business administration, organizational science
Programme:Health Sciences BSc (56553)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/63562
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