Governance of quality of care: a qualitative study of health service boards in Victoria, Australia

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To describe the engagement of health service boards with quality-of-care issues and to identify factors that influence boards' activities in this area. METHODS: We conducted semistructured interviews with 35 board members and executives from 13 public health services in Victoria, Australia. Interviews focused on the role currently played by boards in overseeing quality of care. We also elicited interviewees' perceptions of factors that have influenced their current approach to governance in this area. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes from interview transcripts. RESULTS: Virtually all interviewees believed boards had substantial opportunities to influence the qual..