Benefits, Barriers and Determinants of Clinical Pathway Use in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. A pilot study.

Background: Performance-oriented financing of healthcare aims at demand-based and efficient resource allocation. Often, clinical pathways (CPs) are introduced in this context.

Purpose: For CP success (a) the degree of utilization of and divergence, (b) cost effects and (c) health professionals' acceptance rate of and satisfaction are relevant. There are gaps in research regarding these issues in general, and more specifically in the German speaking part of Europe.

Methodology/approach: Employing a two-stage mixed-methods pilot study, we studied (a) and (b) quantitatively in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and (c) qualitatively in Germany and Austria.

Results: Many hospitals already implemented CPs, but the utilization varies. They are expected to yield middle-range savings, but intangible benefits are more important. In general, employees are in favor of CPs, but several conditions need to be met, e.g. adaptability to local requirements.

Conclusion: Linking the results to the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research showed many criteria are covered, which might lead to the positive evaluations, but also highlights the complexity of the intervention.

Practice implication: As enhanced acceptance rates are expected to lead to higher benefits and vice versa, management team should safeguard employee participation and perceived benefits in all phases of the CP cycle.