Perceived Hospital Managerial Competency in Tehran, Iran: Is There a Difference Between Public and Private Hospitals? Publisher Pubmed



Kalhor R¹ ; Tajnesaei M² ; Kakemame E⁵ ; Keykaleh MS³ ; Kalhor L⁴ Show Affiliations
Source: Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association Published:2016

Abstract

Background Hospital managers should have enough managerial competencies to coordinate the complex environment. The underlying assumption is that there is a potential gap in management capacity between public and private hospitals in Iran. This study aims to evaluate competency level of hospital managers and to compare their competencies in public and private hospitals. Materials and methods This study was descriptive-analytic, carried out in 2015. A survey using a selfadministered questionnaire was conducted among 127 public and private hospitals managers in Tehran Province, Iran. Respondents were asked to rate their competencies in a five-key subscale that included people-related skills, health delivery, self-management, task-related skills, and strategic planning and management. Ratings were based on a five-point Likert scale ranging from very low to excellent competency level. Results Self-assessment of competencies level showed that managers in all state hospitals evaluate their competency at a low level. Managers felt most competent in healthdelivery skills (3.71), people-related skills (3.61), and strategic planning and management (3.57), relatively less competent in self-management (3.54) and taskrelated skills (3.49). While being the mean total competency levels were significantly higher among male managers, those who participated in the healthcare/hospital management training courses, and those whose primary formal qualification was management in healthcare/hospital management (P<0.05). Similarly, managers who had more experience in their current position were more likely to report higher competencies level (P<0.05). Managers in private hospitals perceived themselves to be significantly more competent than their public hospitals colleagues in most of the management facets (P<0.001). Conclusion and recommendations There is a perceived lack of management capacity by managers of both public and private hospitals and the gap between public and private hospitals is small. There is widespread need for management training to be made available in Iran. © 2016 Egyptian Public Health Association.