Design and Validation of Performance Evaluation Model of National Accreditation Schemes in Hospitals: A Mixed-Method Study

Abstract

Background: Performance evaluation of accreditation schemes can improve the quality of hospital accreditation significantly. An effective accreditation system is one that performs the accreditation process properly and achieves acceptable results. Objective: This study aimed to design and validate the performance evaluation model of national accreditation schemes in hospitals. Materials and Methods: This study was performed in a mixed method. The performance evaluation dimensions of the national accreditation models for hospitals were identified, classified, and modeled using the qualitative research method. The quantitative aspect of the obtained model was tested using structural equation modeling. Results: All identified variables were classified into six dimensions including causal conditions, strategic conditions, axial phenomenon, context conditions, intermediary/interventional conditions, and consequence. The results of the quantitative part suggested that the proposed model had a good fit and its validity and reliability were confirmed. Conclusions: The results of the present study revealed that the performance evaluation model of national accreditation schemes in hospitals had a good fit and might be used as an effective model in accreditation organizations as a roadmap to better evaluate accreditation schemes, such as those used in hospitals.