Commitment of project participants to developing health care services based on the Internet technology

BACKGROUND When developing Information and Communication Technology (ICT), such as services for the decision-making process, skilled health care professionals with their comprehensive knowledge of patients/clients are essential contributors to the project. Careful evaluation is needed to assess the effectiveness of project management as well as to analyze the commitment of the personnel to goal attainment. OBJECTIVE In the course of the development of integrated maternity care services, the commitment of project participants (n=48) was evaluated. What factors enhanced or impaired their commitment to the project work? METHODS Questionnaire (n=80, response rate 60%) with quantitative analysis as well as open-ended questions with qualitative content analysis. RESULTS Positive commitment was related to a confidential and open atmosphere during the project. The utilization of personal skills and experience was appreciated. Differences in the working principles and cultures between the participating organizations complicated fluent collaboration. To encourage commitment, a lot of attention should be paid to internal communication as well as the effective realization of project tasks. CONCLUSION The strength of the project was the highly innovative and confidential atmosphere. The well-established project goals, the highly inspired project team, and the effective co-operation between the project manager and the core group helped to deepen overall commitment in the project.