Rejoinder

Journal article, 2015

The authors agree that operations management is a discipline of great importance to a science of improvement in health care. They also believe that action research (AR) aiming for sustainable system changes and also providing a more beneficial context for process improvements is an important and fruitful way forward. AR is an approach to inquiry where the researcher(s) engage in collaborative communities with practitioners on an equal grounding. The role of the patient as a co-producer illuminates the importance of person-centered care, where patients and health care professionals collaborate on stated care plans. When the patient is included in the care plan as an equal partner there can be room for increased self-management and empowered patients contributing to safe care. In conclusion, the authors agree with Does and colleagues about the importance of operations management and its different practices.