Accreditation as a tool for improving the quality of healthcare in Morocco: Issues, challenges, and perspectives

Abstract

Healthcare accreditation has become an essential lever for improving quality and patient safety. In Morocco, this process is still in its early stages, and this article explores whether accreditation represents an opportunity for improvement or an administrative burden. Drawing on international models, this study aims to identify best practices and specific challenges related to the adoption of accreditation in Morocco.

The study is based on a literature review of international healthcare accreditation systems, as well as a comparative analysis of accreditation systems in various countries (United States, France, Canada, Australia). Semi-structured interviews with Moroccan healthcare professionals and accreditation experts were conducted to gather qualitative data on perceptions and barriers related to accreditation in Morocco.

The results indicate that while accreditation can lead to significant improvements in care quality and patient safety, it is perceived by some as an administrative burden due to its complexity and associated costs. The analyzed international accreditation systems offer valuable lessons, but their direct application in Morocco requires adaptations to account for local specificities. The study also highlights the need for continuous training for healthcare professionals and strengthening of infrastructure to successfully implement accreditation standards.

Accreditation in Morocco presents both opportunities for healthcare system improvement and challenges in terms of complexity and costs. For accreditation to become an effective transformation tool, it must be integrated into a coherent national strategy, supported by public policies and collective commitment from healthcare stakeholders. It is necessary to adopt a progressive and contextual approach to accreditation and consider Moroccan realities, while drawing inspiration from international successes.

Keywords: Healthcare accreditation, Quality of care, Patient safety, Administrative challenges, standardization, Moroccan healthcare system.

Classification JEL: I18, I11, I15, L38, H51

Paper Type: Theoretical research