Governance

Governance refers to the processes, structures, and organizational traditions that determine how power is exercised, how stakeholders have their say, how decisions are made, and how decision-makers are held to account. In the context of health care, governance involves ensuring that the strategic direction of a health care organization is ethically sound, that the organization is properly managed, and that the organization's activities are in line with its mission and vision.

Definition

Governance is the act of governing. It relates to decisions that define expectations, grant power, or verify performance. It consists of either a separate process or part of decision-making or leadership processes. In modern nation-states, these processes and systems are typically administered by a government.

Health Care Governance

In the context of health care, governance involves ensuring that the strategic direction of a health care organization is ethically sound, that the organization is properly managed, and that the organization's activities are in line with its mission and vision. Health care governance also involves ensuring that the organization is accountable to its stakeholders, including patients, staff, and the community.

Types of Governance

There are several types of governance, including:

• Corporate Governance: This refers to the system of rules, practices, and processes by which a firm is directed and controlled. Corporate governance essentially involves balancing the interests of a company's many stakeholders, such as shareholders, management, customers, suppliers, financiers, government and the community.

• IT Governance: This is a subset discipline of corporate governance focused on information technology (IT) systems and their performance and risk management.

• Clinical Governance: This is a systematic approach to maintaining and improving the quality of patient care within a health system.

• Political Governance: This refers to the processes by which governments are selected, monitored and replaced; the capacity of the government to effectively formulate and implement sound policies and the respect of citizens and the state for the institutions that govern economic and social interactions among them.

Importance of Governance

Governance is important because it provides a framework for the operations of an organization. It ensures that the organization is run in a way that is transparent, accountable, and fair. It also ensures that the organization is able to achieve its goals and objectives in an efficient and effective manner.

See Also

• Corporate Governance
• IT Governance
• Clinical Governance
• Political Governance

Governance Resources
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