Increasing organisational creativity in healthcare improvement: A literature review

Abstract

This dissertation presents a review of the literature on how to increase organisational creativity in healthcare organisations. Definitions of creativity and the difference between the concepts of creativity and innovation are discussed as a starting point for understanding the nature of organisational creativity. For the purposes of this study, a distinction is made between these two concepts. Key factors influencing the stimulation of creativity in healthcare, strategies often used, and the impact of promoting creativity in such sectors are reviewed. The literature shows that creativity can be promoted in the healthcare sector by focusing on the factors that influence creativity, adopting strategies that address those factors, and considering the potential impacts. A structured literature review and inductive approach to data synthesis were used to answer the research question. All evidence were reviewed through searching the databases PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science and Findit@Bham. This process was both inductive and structured. Forms for data extraction were employed, and evidence quality assessments were conducted. By utilising the data extraction form, key themes were identified and synthesised. Leadership, job design, and teamwork are all significant factors affecting creativity in healthcare organisations. Brainstorming, therapeutic humour, and reflecting on team processes are relevant strategies. Creativity in healthcare can increase, improve, and maintain production, quality, and growth. This review reveals that the factors and methods involved in promoting creativity in health institutions have led to tremendous improvement in healthcare despite the scarcity of research on this topic.