Organizational Structure of Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs). Data File Documentation

摘要

The objective of the study is to examine the impact of organizational differences on HMO performance. Organizational differences are conceptualized as responses to the resolution of goal-attainment problems in Parsons's theory. Traditionally, these responses have been seen as resulting in staff, group, IPA and network models. More recently they have been extended to include eight types by Zelten. It is hypothesized that these typologies will not be definitive in understanding performance since they fail to break out important organizational dimensions. Thus, the study included measures of a range of organizational structures and processes with which greater predictive precision can be sought and more useful typologies defined. Data were gathered on all HMO's operational in the USA as of July 1, 1979 and still in operation at the time of the inventory survey. In-depth data were gathered from a sample of 48 of these organizations through interviews with up to six heads of significant departments in each HMO, and through questionnaires to samples of physician and administrative staff. HMO performance is measured as quality, cost, utilization, attitudes and growth.