Organization Therapeutic Index Measures Healing Culture of Institutions; New Tool Ready for Trials in Healthcare Institutions

9/26/2003

From: Elaine R. Rubin of Association of Academic Health Centers, 202-265-9600

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- A new first in healthcare -- an evaluative instrument that enables a healthcare institution to measure its capacity to heal -- has been developed by Dr. Roger J. Bulger, long-time advocate for patient-centered healthcare and president of the Association of Academic Health Centers.

Using the instrument, the Organizational Therapeutic Index (OTI), a healthcare entity can take account of a range of factors that make up "the truly therapeutic" institution. These components range from scientific and technical competence to communicating dignity and respect for the patient. The OTI appears in Bulger's latest work, The Quest for Therapeutic Institutions just released by the association.

In this publication, the author describes the elements of organizational performance that a healthcare institution should assess, the measures to employ, the process for creating an institution-specific OTI, and methods for tracking progress over time.

To benchmark institutional performance, Bulger uses many traditional measures utilized to evaluate individual aspects of healthcare quality, applying them for the first time to the therapeutic capacity of an institution as a whole.

The historical forces influencing the evolution of this innovative tools and its value in the healthcare world of today are also addressed in the publication. The tool's potential to reshape institutional practices and culture is discussed throughout. "The OTI could add a new dimension to the quality of healthcare in the nation today," says Bulger. "It draws attention to key qualities that are often lacking or need improvement in healthcare delivery, provider-patient relationships, and the healthcare system."

Bulger also views the index as a tool that can also reconnect health professionals to the essential values and humane ideals at the core of various health professions.

The Quest for Therapeutic Institutions is available from the Association of Academic Health Centers at http://www.ahcnet.org.

The Association of Academic Health Centers (AHC) is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health of people by advancing the leadership of academic health centers in health professions education, biomedical and health services research, and health care delivery.