The use of outsourcing has grown exponentially in recent years with predictions for continued growth. Outsourcing exists on a fairly simple premise: if you can do something, there must be someone else out there capable of performing that same task - just as well (perhaps better) and at a lower cost. It appears most anything can be outsourced if given the time and consideration. Thus, a wide range of business processes have been outsourced in recent years.
Because of the unique aspects of healthcare, however, this sector was at first slow to use outsourcing. There is now great interest and the nature and type of services being outsourced by healthcare organisations has expanded. In fact, outsourcing by the healthcare sector is one of the fastest growing areas. At the same time, the number of vendors competing for outsourcing contracts has increased dramatically and competition has intensified. Vendors seeking opportunities face great challenges in vying for any type of outsourcing contract. They must understand the nature of the outsourcing task as well as the customer organisations' decision-making process. Unfortunately, the research-to-date as well as sales and marketing guidelines have been limited.