Creation of stakeholder value at a tertiary foetal medicine centre.

Abstract

Introduction: Little is known about how a tertiary foetal medicine unit creates value for its stakeholders. This study explored stakeholder perspectives to uncover nuances in value creation within a highly specialised unit.

Methods: A cross-sectional exploratory survey was conducted at the Foetal Medicine Unit at Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Denmark. Participants included patients, clinicians, referring hospitals, international partners and administrators. Questionnaires were designed by specialists, and data analysed using logistic regression and descriptive statistics.

Results: The study surveyed patients (104, 64.2% response rate) and healthcare providers: internal (13/19, 63.2%), national (27/29, 93.1%), international (20/27, 74.1%) and administrators (5/11, 45.4%). Stakeholders emphasised the importance of specialised training. While patients accepted trainee involvement, most preferred certified specialists. Patients referred for pregnancy complications had significantly higher expectations of physician expertise than routine screenings (odds ratio = 2.58 (95% confidence interval: 1.13-5.88), p = 0.02). Key success metrics were patient outcomes, staff satisfaction and patient satisfaction.

Conclusions: Discrepancies were found between patients' acceptance of trainee involvement and their preference for certified specialists. Patients referred for complications had even higher expectations of physician expertise. Patient outcomes, patient satisfaction and staff satisfaction were consistently identified as the most important success indicators.

Funding: None.

Trial registration: Not relevant.