Lean Management and Integrated Care in Europe: An Effective Mix for a Health System.

Abstract

A rational organization of health care services has become a major problem for European countries. Here, we summarize the concepts of lean management (LM) and integrated care (IC) and discuss the major issues to be resolved to make them effective. LM is a systematic approach for reducing waste in a procedure by considering any type of work to be the sum of several processes. The strength of LM lies in involving all employees into a problem-solving approach. IC implies a positive approach against the fragmentation of service provision in order to undermine the silos generated within health services. The success of LM and IC depends on how three major problems will be faced: their holistic application, some baseline training on management and organization provided to health professionals, and the full support of health managers. Future analysis on the organization of health systems should focus on how to improve healthcare services by a full collaboration between health workers.