Total Quality Management in Healthcare: An Evidence Gap Map Analysis
An Evidence Gap Map Analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19322975Keywords:
Total Quality Management, Healthcare Services, Evidence Gap Map, Systematic Review, Research SynthesisAbstract
This study applies an Evidence Gap Map (EGM) approach to systematically analyze the structure of evidence in the Total Quality Management (TQM) literature in healthcare. Of the 328 articles retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection, 300 studies with available abstracts were coded using a three-dimensional framework (12 interventions × 8 outcomes × 8 settings). The findings reveal a pronounced structural asymmetry in the literature. While general TQM practices have been extensively examined, substantial evidence gaps exist in specific interventions such as leadership development, patient safety, and performance measurement. The analysis identified 18 absolute gaps, 12 critically limited evidence areas, and 7 temporal gaps. The limited focus on clinical outcomes and the predominance of implementation-oriented studies indicate that the field has not yet sufficiently matured in terms of outcome-based evaluation. Furthermore, significant evidence gaps persist in non-hospital settings, including mental health, long-term care, and emergency services. By systematically identifying these structural gaps, this study provides a strategic framework for research prioritization, resource allocation, and policy development in healthcare quality management.
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