The Process Pattern of Value Co-creation in Healthcare Service Ecosystem

Abstract Background: Having an inclusive approach and explaining involvement practices and the roles played by the actors in healthcare ecosystems is a critical factor in healthcare industry. The aim of this study was to design the process pattern of value co-creation in the healthcare ecosystem. Methods: This study was practical in terms of the goal, and descriptive-survey with a two-staged qualitative method in terms of data collection. At first, 23 articles and scientific reports regarding theoretical foundations of value co-creation in healthcare were reviewed using the systematic review, and the basic pattern was designed. Then, in order to confirm and complete the identified factors in the first stage, 10 academic and professional experts familiar with value co-creation and health care ecosystem in the country were interviewed ,selected by combining targeted judgmental and chain sampling. The data gathered from these interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Result: In this study, 3 categories and 54 subcategories concerning health ecosystem were extracted. According to the results, the final pattern was designed in 3 stages of process readiness, value network and process achievements in 3 micro, meso and macro levels. Accordingly, the roles and tasks of the actors in the health service ecosystem were explained. Conclusion: Clarity of the role of the actors and making necessary preparations to implement them, paves the way for structural innovations of value co-creation process. In addition, establishing technical and legislative grounds to facilitate participation, leads to more participation. The suggested pattern can be used as a guide for value co-creation in the health service ecosystem. Key words: Value co-creation, Healthcare ecosystem, Process pattern, Participatory management