The government has implemented an evaluation system of public institutions to promote systematic and efficient management. In the past, this assessment was confined to public corporations and quasi-governmental institutions, considering their public role and the financial scale of each institution. However, the system was expanded to include other public institutions in 2014, each assessed by the relevant ministry. As a result, management of 13 national university hospitals has been assessed by the Ministry of Education.
Since national university hospitals offer medical services for intractable diseases which are difficult for privately-run hospitals to treat, as well as to vulnerable populations, they play a significant role in public healthcare. Some claim that if their assessment focuses mainly on profitability, recognition of their public value may be reduced. Meanwhile, others point out that evaluation will help national university hospitals address the bloated, inefficient nature of their management, seen as a major issue facing public institutions, and be more effectively able to carry out their expected role.
In the end, assessment should encourage national university hospitals to provide public healthcare services that are more stable and consistent while boosting their management efficiency. To ensure they fulfill their expected responsibilities, this report categorizes the process of their evaluation in 2014 into the preparation, execution and feedback phases and examines major issues at each stage.
The analysis provides institutional suggestions that the evaluation handbook, as well as assessment criteria, should be confirmed earlier, and legal grounds for assessment of other public institutions developed. In addition, development of a valid assessment index that can discern which is good or bad, as well as strengthening of on-site evaluations, with sufficient time given, is needed to ensure assessment is more substantial. This report also proposes introducing a consulting service customized to the results of assessment and a review of incentive structures to improve the effectiveness of the evaluation.