Managerial Competency of Managers in South West and South East Ethiopian Hospitals

Abstract

BACK GROUND: like in other organizations the functions of management is applied in hospital administration and management. Different problems had been observed in area of hospital management in different countries. A descriptive study conducted in 14 Ethiopian hospitals in 2006/2007 indicated that there is a lack of management capacity with in the respective hospitals. OBJECTIVE: the main objective of the study was to assess the managerial competence of hospital managers on the key management functions of planning, organizing and staffing in the six selected South East and South West Ethiopian hospitals. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study design was employed. A self administered questionnaire was conducted among hospital managers in six hospitals. This included planning, organizing and staffing. Rating based on a five point likert scale ranging from 1 (very poor) to 5 (excellent).The data collected were analyzed by using SPSS.16 version soft ware. The study period was from April 1-21, 2011. RESULT: the results show that as a group, hospital managers in six hospitals perceive themselves as at least reasonably competent in all facets of their management functions (means > 3). Multivariate logistic regression analyses between the hospital managers and other categorical variables show significant associations between the hospital managers and years in current postion, formal qualification, formal training age, and gender. CONCLUSION: the findings indicate that there is difference in the three management functions competency in the six hospital manager’s. Significant association is observed between socio-demographic characteristics of hospital managers and the competency level of the three management functions. RECOMMENDATION: training for each management function to increase competency level of planning staffing, and organizing should be given by the ministry of health for all hospital managers at all levels.