| dc.description.abstract | Missionary hospitals are one of the main health care resources in Taiwan since the end of World War II. These hospitals were established to follow Jesus’ commands to love others and to serve others, especially the poor or rural patients, in order to spread the Christianity. This thesis researches the organization and the management of the Saint Paul’s Hospital （SPH）in Taoyuan to understand the evolution of the missionary hospitals. In the 1950s, the town of Taoyuan was suffering from the lack of public healthcare and medical service resources. It was in dire need of a modern medical facility. After an expedition trip to Taoyuan, Mother Bernard, the former Provincial Superior of the Sisters of Saint Paul de Chartres, decided to establish a hospital for missionary services and the decision was immediately concurred by the Archbishop Lacchio. In 1960, the Congregation sent Sisters to Taoyuan to set up the Saint Paul’s clinic. However, because of a rise in population, the clinic was no longer able to serve the town’s needs; therefore, a decision was made to establish a hospital. This decision was opposed by the medical doctors in the Taoyuan area. Additionally, the Sisters were challenged by difficulties with site, funds, infrastructures and staff. With help from the Catholics, all permitting issues were finally resolved and the Hospital was eventually open for business. In the beginning, the SPH was staffed with the military doctors from the National Defense Department System. The military doctors were well received by the locals.
In the late 1970s, the increase in hospitals that were set up by corporations changed the medical service sector. SPH operation managed by business organization became the trend in the industry. Lacking the support from a corporate management, the SPH was losing its business. To survive in the competition, the SPH decided to invest significant funds to the facilities and the equipments. First, it expanded the hospital building and started measuring staff performances to raise the service quality. Then, the SPH hired management professionals and began training programs for medical specialists. It teamed up with the Provincial Taoyuan Hospital for internships and training programs. With proper cost control and effective management, the efficiency of the hospital administration increased and its revenue grew steadily over the years. The SPH gradually reestablished itself in the area. In 1992, the Hospital set up the Pastoral Care Department to serve the communities, to provide medical services, and to spread the evangelization. The Department led a group of the volunteers to promote the community health. It also extended its service later into the nursing care and started the first Home Care Nursing Center in Taoyuan County. The health care that was delivered to Fushing Township in the mountains included a healthcare station at Sanmin Village and mobile clinic-van tours. They were all non-profit and focused only on serving the public.
The object of this research is SPH, which is the earliest missionary hospital in the northern region. In the beginning of the post World War II era, the fast increase in numbers of the Catholics had been very helpful to the SPH establishment. Later on, after the Hospital’s expansion, churches were the greatest support for recruiting management professionals and staffing the SPH. The support from the Catholics, arising from their faith, was the main factor keeping the SPH in business.
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