Healthcare organizations’ attitudes toward pay-for-performance in Korea

This study was conducted to assess views of healthcare organizations on pay-for-performance (P4P) in terms of its design, possible effects, and unintended consequences. This is a cross-sectional, self-administered, internet-based survey. Eligible healthcare organizations were 3605 organizations in Korea. Healthcare organizations of 522, including 31 tertiary teaching hospitals, 182 general hospitals, 158 hospitals, and 152 clinics, were participated in this survey. Rates of awareness and support of P4P, preferred P4P program design, and possible effects and unintended consequences resulting from the P4P program were identified. There were variations in the awareness and support from the type of healthcare organization. The preferred design was quite different from the current design of the P4P program. They believed that the P4P program would not have a significant economic impact on their organizations, but that the P4P program could stimulate positive changes in their practice behaviors. They also showed considerable concerns about unintended consequences. P4P implementing agency such as HIRA in Korea should make an effort to improve healthcare organizations’ understanding of the program. Also, HIRA could take into consideration of reflecting their reasonable opinions regarding its design components and unintended consequences.