Identifying factors affecting about outsourcing in paraclinical services: a systematic review of literature

Abstract

Objective: Outsourcing refers to the transfer of services or functions to an outsider supplier, which controls them through a contract or cooperative. The main problem of senior managers in health organizations is determining the services which should be outsourced. The present study seeks to identify the factors that affect decision about outsourcing.

Methods: We systematically searched relevant databases including Pub Med, Scopus, Science Direct and Web of Science databases using terms “Outsourcing AND Decision Making OR Policy AND health OR hospital OR health care OR health services OR healthcare”. Studies were identified and screened in accordance with the preferred Reporting Items for Systematic and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) published in English or Farsi, determining factors that affect making decision about outsourcing a health organization services.

Results: The search retrieved (2585) citation of which 14 studies were eligible. Across the eligible articles,10 overarching themes including 40subthemes that affectdecision maker to outsource a service or not, emerged.

Conclusions: Results of this study offer evidence for a comprehensive approach todesign and implement a strategic planthat can be used as guidance for policy makers, micro and macro healthcare authorities and managers, and other stakeholders in this area to select and apply the best strategies to make outsourcing in the best possible way.

Keywords: Outsourcing, Health Services, Effective factors, Health Organization