John Ovretveit
About me
Director of Research, Professor of Health Innovation Implementation and Evaluation.
My applied research is into organisation, management and policy. My recent work concerns adaptive implementation and evaluation and combining quality improvement and implementation science. Projects include co-care, integration and coordination of services, and emergency medicine organisation and management.
Education
B.Sc. (Hons First class), MPhil., PhD., CPsychol., AFBPsS, CSci..
Academic honours, awards and prizes
Translations of some of Johns 400 scientific papers and books have been made into eight languages. Six books have won publications awards, including twice winner of the European Health Management Association Award and the Baxter health publication of the year prize for "Action Evaluation" (2002) and "Health Service Quality" (1992).
He was awarded the 2014 Avedis Donabedian international quality award for his work on quality economics and has served for 12 years as a board member of the USA joint commission international and is chair of their healthcare quality and safety standards committee. He is founder and chair of the Quality Improvement Research Network- a board member of the Global Implementation Initiative and chair of the Global Implementation Society. He currently chairs the UK selection panel for the future program of applied collaborative research University-NHS partnerships.
Research
Evaluation, quality and safety improvement, implementationon science, health management policy and reforms, clinical coordination and integration of services.
My work is based on the belief that organisation and management can bring out the best and worst in people, and that the right organisation design is critical for effective healthcare. A theme underlying my work is how practical research can contribute both to better care for patients and to "healthy work organization".
I have pioneered action evaluation methods for giving rapid feedback for service providers and policy-makers to improve their services, and for assessing the role of context on implementation. My current research examines implementation of management and organisation improvements, and clinical care coordination for safety and lower costs. My research publications on leading value improvement explore the costs and savings of quality improvements.
Teaching
Courses on implementation and scale up, and on evaluating complex interventions in real world settings.
MMC leaders courses including:
Using lessons from overseas to build evidence-based Swedish healthcare
Pay for performance and value based healthcare: evidence and implications for your services
Patient centered care and co-care: evidence and practical steps with limited resources
Articles
- Journal article: BMJ QUALITY AND SAFETY. 2024;:bmjqs-2024-017185
- Journal article: JOURNAL OF PATIENT SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT. 2023;28(6):246-252
- Journal article: JOURNAL OF HEALTH ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT. 2023;ahead-of-print(ahead-of-print):443-462
- Article: SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE. 2023;41(3):232-246
- Journal article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR EQUITY IN HEALTH. 2023;22(1):79
- Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH POLICY AND MANAGEMENT. 2023;12(1):7556
- Article: ADVANCES IN HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT. 2022;21:47-65
- Article: BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH. 2022;22(1):808
- Article: HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH (HSR). 2022;57(Suppl 1):9-19
- Article: BMJ OPEN. 2022;12(1):e053735
- Article: NEW ZEALAND MEDICAL JOURNAL. 2021;134(1544):89-98
- Journal article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH GOVERNANCE. 2021;26(2):88-99
- Journal article: GLOBAL IMPLEMENTATION RESEARCH AND APPLICATIONS. 2021;1(1):1-4
- Article: GLOB IMPLEMENT RES APPL. 2021;1(4):291-303
- Article: JOURNAL OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE. 2020;12(3):207-214
- Journal article: ZEITSCHRIFT FUR GESUNDHEITSWISSENSCHAFTEN. 2020;28(4):419-428
- Journal article: JOURNAL OF PATIENT SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT. 2020;25(3):93-96
- Article: IMPLEMENTATION RESEARCH AND PRACTICE. 2020;1:2633489520949151
- Journal article: JOURNAL OF PATIENT SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT. 2019;24(6):221-223
- Article: BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH. 2019;19(1):721
- Article: FUTURE HEALTHC J. 2019;6(Suppl 1):33-s33
- Journal article: JOURNAL OF PATIENT-CENTERED RESEARCH AND REVIEWS. 2019;6(1):52-126Abstracts From the 25th Annual Health Care Systems Research Network Conference, April 8–10, 2019, Portland, Oregon
- Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR QUALITY IN HEALTH CARE. 2018;30(suppl_1):20-23
- Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR QUALITY IN HEALTH CARE. 2018;30(suppl_1):37-41
- Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH CARE QUALITY ASSURANCE. 2018;31(1):28-40
- Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR QUALITY IN HEALTH CARE. 2017;29(8):1014-1019
- Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH CARE QUALITY ASSURANCE. 2017;30(8):755-768
- Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR QUALITY IN HEALTH CARE. 2017;29(6):874-879
- Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTEGRATED CARE. 2017;17(4):6
- Article: SOCIOLOGY OF HEALTH AND ILLNESS. 2017;39(7):1019-1034
- Article: JOURNAL OF HEALTH ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT. 2017;31(1):28-37
- Article: BMC MEDICAL RESEARCH METHODOLOGY. 2017;17(1):38
- Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR QUALITY IN HEALTH CARE. 2017;29(1):137-142
- Article: JOURNAL OF HEALTH ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT. 2016;30(7):1105-1118
- Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH CARE QUALITY ASSURANCE. 2016;29(5):582-595
- Journal article: HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE DELIVERY RESEARCH. 2015;:1-148Integration and continuity of primary care: polyclinics and alternatives – a patient-centred analysis of how organisation constrains care co-ordination
- Article: JOURNAL OF GENERAL INTERNAL MEDICINE. 2014;29(Suppl 2):S589-S597
- Article: BMJ QUALITY AND SAFETY. 2014;23(4):325-331
- Article: JOURNAL OF HEALTH ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT. 2014;28(1):115-126
- Article: BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH. 2013;13:332
- Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR QUALITY IN HEALTH CARE. 2013;25(2):118-124
- Article: LAKARTIDNINGEN. 2013;110(11):550-552
- Article: CADERNOS DE SAÚDE PÚBLICA. 2013;29(3):424-426
- Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH CARE QUALITY ASSURANCE. 2013;26(2):174-188
- Article: HEALTH POLICY. 2013;109(2):175-186
- Article: NURSING RESEARCH AND PRACTICE. 2013;2013:695729-8
- Journal article: IMPLEMENTATION SCIENCE. 2013;8(Suppl 1):s7
- Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR QUALITY IN HEALTH CARE. 2012;24(5):463-469
- Article: JOURNAL OF HEALTH ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT. 2012;26(2):237-257
- Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT. 2012;27(2):e132-e145
- Article: EVALUATION AND THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS. 2012;35(1):28-42
- Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH CARE QUALITY ASSURANCE. 2012;25(2):118-133
- Article: QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN HEALTH CARE. 2012;21(1):34-43
- Article: BMC RESEARCH NOTES. 2011;4:390
- Article: BMJ QUALITY AND SAFETY. 2011;20(7):611-617
- Article: BMJ QUALITY AND SAFETY. 2011;20(7):618-624
- Journal article: BMJ QUALITY AND SAFETY. 2011;20(7):604-610
- Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR QUALITY IN HEALTH CARE. 2011;23(3):239-246
- Article: BMJ QUALITY AND SAFETY. 2011;20(5):453-459
- Article: BMJ QUALITY AND SAFETY. 2011;20(Suppl_1):i87-i91
- Article: BMJ QUALITY AND SAFETY. 2011;20(Suppl_1):i18-i23
- Article: HEALTH POLICY. 2010;97(2-3):113-121
- Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTEGRATED CARE. 2010;10:e52
- Journal article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARE COORDINATION. 2010;14(2):76-78
- Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH CARE QUALITY ASSURANCE. 2010;23(3):312-327
- Article: LAKARTIDNINGEN. 2010;107(11):764-766
- Article: QUALITY AND SAFETY IN HEALTH CARE. 2010;19(1):42-47
- Article: SOCIAL SCIENCE AND MEDICINE. 2009;69(12):1780-1783
- Article: LAKARTIDNINGEN. 2009;106(47):3168-3173
- Article: JOURNAL OF HEALTH ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT. 2009;23(6):581-596
- Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH CARE QUALITY ASSURANCE. 2009;22(2):168-182
- Journal article: 医療の質・安全学会誌. 2009;1(1):120-121
- Article: HEALTH POLICY. 2008;88(2-3):294-307
- Article: JOURNAL OF HEALTH ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT. 2008;22(2):189-206
- Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH CARE QUALITY ASSURANCE. 2008;21(2):190-202
- Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH CARE QUALITY ASSURANCE. 2008;21(1):60-74
- Article: HEALTH POLICY. 2007;84(2-3):181-190
- Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR QUALITY IN HEALTH CARE. 2007;19(5):259-266
- Article: JOINT COMMISSION JOURNAL ON QUALITY AND PATIENT SAFETY. 2007;33(8):512-519
- Article: JOINT COMMISSION JOURNAL ON QUALITY AND PATIENT SAFETY. 2007;33(7):387-394
- Journal article: AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INFECTION CONTROL. 2007;35(5):e147-e148
- Article: QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN HEALTH CARE. 2007;16(1):68-83
- Article: HEALTH PROMOTION INTERNATIONAL. 2006;21(4):274-283
- Article: LEADERSHIP IN HEALTH SERVICES. 2006;19(6-7):516-532
- Article: SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH. 2006;34(6):598-608
- Article: LAKARTIDNINGEN. 2005;102(4):232-234
- Article: LAKARTIDNINGEN. 2005;102(1-2):45-48
- Article: LEADERSHIP IN HEALTH SERVICES. 2004;17(7):368-376
- Journal article: JOINT COMMISSION JOURNAL ON QUALITY AND PATIENT SAFETY. 2004;30:15-24
- Journal article: JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY AND COMMUNITY HEALTH. 2004;58(7):627An introduction to quality assurance in health care
- Article: QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN HEALTH CARE. 2004;13(1):60-74
- Article: QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN HEALTH CARE. 2003;12(4):250-258
- Article: QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN HEALTH CARE. 2003;12(4):240-249
- Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT. 2003;18(3):233-246
- Article: LEADERSHIP IN HEALTH SERVICES. 2003;16(2-3):116-127
- Article: THE BMJ. 2003;326(7392):759-761
- Article: LEADERSHIP IN HEALTH SERVICES. 2002;15(6-7):294-302
- Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR QUALITY IN HEALTH CARE. 2002;14:89-95
- Article: QUALITY AND SAFETY IN HEALTH CARE. 2002;11(4):345-351
- Journal article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH CARE QUALITY ASSURANCE. 2002;15(5):192-196
- Article: QUALITY AND SAFETY IN HEALTH CARE. 2002;11(3):270-275
- Journal article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH CARE QUALITY ASSURANCE. 2001;14(4):164-167
- Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT. 2001;16(3):229-241
- Article: JOURNAL OF HEALTH ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT. 2001;15(2):125-141
- Journal article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH CARE QUALITY ASSURANCE. 2000;13(3):103-105
- Journal article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH CARE QUALITY ASSURANCE. 2000;13(2):74-80
- Article: LEADERSHIP IN HEALTH SERVICES. 2000;13(4-5):200-207
- Article: QUALITY IN HEALTH CARE. 1999;8(4):239-246
- Journal article: BRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL GOVERNANCE. 1999;4(3):103-109
- Article: JOURNAL OF HEALTH ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT. 1998;12(6):391-322
- Journal article: EVALUATION. 1997;3(4):451-468
- Journal article: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH. 1997;7(2):128-135
- Article: THE JOINT COMMISSION JOURNAL ON QUALITY IMPROVEMENT. 1997;23(1):7-22
- Article: HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY. 1997;5(4):276-283
- Article: HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY. 1997;5(4):269-276
- Article: JOURNAL OF HEALTH ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT. 1996;10(5):21-28
- Article: TIDSSKRIFT FOR DEN NORSKE LAEGEFORENING. 1996;116(23):2807-2809
- Journal article: HEALTH POLICY. 1996;37(2-3):75-90
- Article: HEALTH POLICY. 1996;37(2):75-90
- Journal article: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH. 1996;6(1):73-74
- Article: HEALTH PROMOTION INTERNATIONAL. 1996;11(1):55-62
- Journal article: JOURNAL OF INTERPROFESSIONAL CARE. 1996;10(2):163-171
- Article: HEALTH POLICY. 1996;35(1):75-93
- Article: LAKARTIDNINGEN. 1995;92(24):2467-2469
- Journal article: JOURNAL OF INTERPROFESSIONAL CARE. 1995;9(1):41-51
- Journal article: THE HEALTH SERVICE JOURNAL. 1994;104(5431):24-26
- Journal article: PHYSIOTHERAPY. 1994;80(9):605-608
- Journal article: THE HEALTH SERVICE JOURNAL. 1994;104(5407):32-33
- Journal article: PHYSIOTHERAPY. 1994;80(6):372-376
- Journal article: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH. 1994;4(4):294-300
- Journal article: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH. 1994;4(1):46-54
- Journal article: JOURNAL OF INTERPROFESSIONAL CARE. 1994;8(3):329-333
- Journal article: JOURNAL OF SERVICE MANAGEMENT. 1993;4(2):74-84
- Journal article: PROFESSIONAL NURSE (LONDON, ENGLAND). 1992;7(4):264-269
- Journal article: HEALTH SERVICES MANAGEMENT. 1991;87(4):184-185
- Journal article: HEALTH SERVICES MANAGEMENT. 1991;87(2):78-80
- Journal article: HEALTH SERVICES MANAGEMENT. 1990;86(3):132-133
- Journal article: PROFESSIONAL NURSE (LONDON, ENGLAND). 1990;5(6):284-288
- Journal article: PROFESSIONAL NURSE (LONDON, ENGLAND). 1989;5(1):23-27
- Journal article: HEALTH SERVICES MANAGEMENT. 1988;84(5):112-116
- Journal article: SOCIOLOGY OF HEALTH AND ILLNESS. 1985;7(1):76-93
- Journal article: PHYSIOTHERAPY. 1982;68(4):118-123
- Journal article: PHYSIOTHERAPY. 1982;68(1):10-12
- Journal article: PHYSIOTHERAPY. 1981;67(11):329-333
- Journal article: PHYSIOTHERAPY. 1981;67(8):236-239
- Journal article: PHYSIOTHERAPY. 1981;67(6):168-170
- Journal article: PHYSIOTHERAPY. 1981;67(4):110-113
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All other publications
- Preprint: RESEARCH SQUARE. 2023
- Review: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH. 2023;20(4):2927
- Editorial comment: GLOB IMPLEMENT RES APPL. 2023;3(1):78-84
- Editorial comment: MEDICAL EDUCATION. 2023;57(1):14-17
- Preprint: RESEARCH SQUARE. 2022
- Preprint: RESEARCH SQUARE. 2022
- Review: JOURNAL OF GENERAL INTERNAL MEDICINE. 2021;36(11):3503-3510
- Letter: THE BMJ. 2021;372:n223
- Preprint: RESEARCH SQUARE. 2021
- Book chapter: ORGANISING CARE IN A TIME OF COVID-19: ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOUR IN HEALTHCARE. 2021;p. 297-313
- Review: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT. 2021;36(1):30-41
- Corrigendum: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR QUALITY IN HEALTH CARE. 2020;32(7):486
- Book: 2020
- Book chapter: PATIENT ENGAGEMENT: ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOUR IN HEALTHCARE. 2019;p. 63-89
- Meeting abstract: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTEGRATED CARE. 2019;19:157
- Editorial comment: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR QUALITY IN HEALTH CARE. 2018;30(suppl_1):1-4
- Meeting abstract: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR QUALITY IN HEALTH CARE. 2017;29:66
- Editorial comment: THE BMJ. 2016;353:i3319
- Conference publication: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTEGRATED CARE. 2015;15
- Conference publication: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTEGRATED CARE. 2014;14
- Book chapter: THE INNOVATION IMPERATIVE IN HEALTH CARE ORGANISATIONS. 2012;p. 23-36
- Book chapter: HEALTH MANAGEMENT - DIFFERENT APPROACHES AND SOLUTIONS. 2011;p.
- Editorial comment: ANNALS OF INTERNAL MEDICINE. 2011;154(10):693-696
- Editorial comment: BMJ QUALITY AND SAFETY. 2011;20(4):293-296
- Review: QUALITY AND SAFETY IN HEALTH CARE. 2010;19(6):490-492
- Book chapter: THE OXFORD HANDBOOK OF PUBLIC MANAGEMENT. 2007;p. 537-562
- Book chapter: MANAGING FOR HEALTH: ROUTLEDGE HEALTH MANAGEMENT. 2007;p. 129-147
- Conference publication: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH. 2007;17:174
- Review: JOURNAL OF HEALTH ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT. 2005;19(6):413-430
- Review: LAKARTIDNINGEN. 2005;102(3):140-142
- Editorial comment: QUALITY AND SAFETY IN HEALTH CARE. 2002;11(4):301-302
- Other: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT. 1998;13(4):323-325
- Published conference paper: JOURNAL OF SERVICE MANAGEMENT. 1997;8(3-4):220-235
- Review: VARD I NORDEN. 1997;17(1):37-42
- Book chapter: INTERPROFESSIONAL WORKING FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE: COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE SERIES. 1997;p. 53-78
- Book chapter: INTERPROFESSIONAL WORKING FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE: COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE SERIES. 1997;p. 34-52
- Book chapter: INTERPROFESSIONAL WORKING FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE: COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE SERIES. 1997;p. 79-102
- Book chapter: INTERPROFESSIONAL WORKING FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE: COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE SERIES. 1997;p. 1-8
- Book chapter: INTERPROFESSIONAL WORKING FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE: COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE SERIES. 1997;p. 9-33
- Editorial comment: THE BMJ. 1996;312(7031):645
- Other: SOCIOLOGY OF HEALTH & ILLNESS. 1996;18(2):283-285
- Other: JOURNAL OF SOCIAL POLICY. 1995;24:592-593
- Other: HEALTH POLICY. 1995;33(3):234-236
- Other: JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH. 1995;17(3):372-373
- Other: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHIATRY, THE. 1995;41(4):309-310
- Other: HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY. 1995;3(6):394-395
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Grants
- Swedish Research Council1 January 2015 - 31 December 2017
- Swedish Research Council1 January 2011 - 31 December 2013
Employments
- Professor, Senior, Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics, Karolinska Institutet, 2019-2025
- Professor, medical school, University of Bergen, 1998-2008
- Professor, Health policy management and organisation, Health policy management and organisation, Nordic School of Public Health, Gothenburg (NHV), 1994-2004
Distinction and awards
- Avedis Donabedian quality award 2014, “The jury announced and explained their decision with the following statement Professor Øvretveit is a world leader in the area of research on Policy and Management who personifies commitment to Health Services development. His leadership is evident in the crucial contribution he is making in transforming Health systems all over the world and engaging young researchers in this field. In times were we are faced to a substantial limitation of our health budget his studies in quality and costs, the role of professionals and new approach to leadership skills are crucial to achieve a system that is patients’ oriented and sustainable. As a result, he is clearly an outstanding leader and advocate for quality in healthcare, Avedis Donabedian Quality Foundation, 2023
- Best pulication of the year award, 2002 award for best European management publication/project, by European Health Management Association, and winner Baxter Healthcare Publication of the year ($5000) for the book Action Evaluation, as well as commendation in the Medical Book Competition of the British Medical Association. Prize donated to start and fund an annual Karolinska/EHMA best junior researcher publication of the year award., European management publication/project, European Health Management Association, and winner Baxter Healthcare Publication of the year ($5000) for the book Action Evaluation, as well as commendation in the Medical Book Competition of the British Medical Association, 2002
- Baxter European health care publication of the year award, For the book Health Service Quality, Blackwells Scientific Press, Oxford, Baxter (United States), 1992
Committee work
- Member, Board of Directors the USA Joint Commission International and Joint Commission Resources, Joint Commission, 2006-2016
Visiting research fellowships
- Professor, Stanford University School of Medicine, 2011-2023