Evaluating Perceptions of the Healthcare Providers Concerning Accreditation in Healthcare Organizations in the R. Macedonia

An important factor for successful implementation of accreditation is readiness of the healthcare organization for organizational changes. This study aims at assessing perceptions of the medical staff in healthcare organizations, regarding organizational changes related to accreditation, before starting the national accreditation in hospitals in R. Macedonia and to interconnect variables with the implementation of the process. A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted, performed in healthcare organizations throughout the R. Macedonia. Main tool for the study was a questionnaire consisting of seven questions of a closed type. Variables such as changes in line with law and regulations, introducing a new informational system, improving the working conditions, are perceived by the majority of the respondents as drivers toward successful implementation of the process. Conversely, high percent of the respondents find positive changes happen without introducing accreditation. Personnel is not certain who leads the changes and if resistance to change exists depending on not finding significance to answers yes, no, and the category without answer. For the majority of the respondents, accreditation is an effective tool for implementing changes that lead to quality in their organization. Keywords: accreditation, organizational changes, perceptions of healthcare staff, healthcare organizations