Enhancing Modularity in Healthcare Services Through Integration

The objective of this article is to identify and validate the theoretical relationships between facilitators of modular architecture in healthcare service delivery context. The relationships among heterogeneity in healthcare services, coordinated care pathways, organisational orientation, integrated supply chain performance and modularity in health service delivery were explored. A structural model was developed based on a literature review. A 35-item questionnaire was circulated among service providers in the healthcare system all over India. A cross-sectional research design was used to assess the framework of research. The random sampling method was adopted to collect data. A total of 127 valid responses were received. Data analysis was performed using partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).Results reveal that modular architecture can be achieved by building an environment which has coordinated and integrated efforts of service providers incorporated with enhanced organisational orientation. The study added insights to the theory of modular systems. The authors recognise that modularity helps in enhancing the patient-centric orientation. The findings provide potentially important information to health service managers and providers, enabling them to understand the requisites of modular architecture. This is the first study exploring the relationships between facilitators of modularity in healthcare services. The study complements literature on service modularity with reference to specialised care unit of maternity services.