Journal Article

Exploring the potential of self-managed organizational structure in enhancing home-based healthcare services in India

Shankar, Shail, Malik, Elham

2025

Overview

BackgroundHomecare services introduced in India back in 2009 remain primarily unorganized, lagging behind bureaucratic bottlenecks that affect efficiency, patient trust, and satisfaction. Decentralized organizational structures, such as self-managed organizations, may solve these challenges by improving patient management efficiency and outcomes.ObjectiveThis study explores the applicability of self-managed organizational structures in homecare services in India. Drawing inspiration from Buurtzorg Nederland, it investigates how decentralized management can enhance operational efficiency, workforce engagement, and patient satisfaction. The study specifically examines the perspectives of management members in self-managed homecare organizations.MethodsA qualitative research approach was taken using semi-structured, one-on-one interviews with twelve management members of Buurtzorg Edugreen in India. The sample included individuals with 5 to 25 years of managerial experience in healthcare. Thematic analysis was conducted through a constant comparative method following Constructivist Grounded Theory (CGT) to derive key themes related to self-management in homecare organizations.ResultsTwo main themes emerged from the data: (1) Creating a nurturing work environment to foster employee well-being and engagement, and (2) Enhancing communication and coordination within self-managed homecare organizations. Sub-themes included organizational culture, employee empowerment, conflict resolution strategies, and the use of technology for communication. The findings emphasize trust, shared vision, and team collaboration in self-managed organizations.ConclusionsAdoption of self-management practices can improve the homecare service in India because self-managed organizational structures work towards creating a collaborative and trust work culture, reducing communication inefficiencies. This management member’s perspective on the need for structured conflict resolution, cultural sensitivity towards management, and leveraging technology helps improve coordination. It leads to the incorporation of self-managed models as part of health care reforms for policy implications, and further research may be needed on long-term impacts on patient and employee retention rates.

• Publisher: Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Adaptability / Collaboration / COVID-19 / Data collection / Employees / Females / Health care delivery / Hospitals / Infrastructure / Interviews / Job satisfaction / Medical personnel / Nurses / Organizational structure / Principles / Problem solving / Teams