A framework of leadership and managerial competency for preventive health managers in Vietnam

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: This paper was conducted to develop a framework of leadership and managerial competency for preventive health managers in Vietnam. Methods: This mixed-method study used a four-step approach. The first step was a content analysis of job descriptions to identify required tasks of health managers.Results were used to identify the leadership and managerial competency factors and items in the second step. In the third step, a workshop was organized to reach consensus about the validity of these competency factors and items. Finally, a quantitative survey was conducted across a sample of 402 managers working in selected preventive health centers in Vietnam to validate the competency scales using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Cronbach's alpha. Results: This study identified a number of required tasks and competencies for preventive health managers. Four dimensions with 13 components and 75 items of leadership and managerial competencies were identified. These components showed 81% of variance and Cronbach's alpha were at good level of 0.9. Conclusions: These competencies are required for preventive health managers which provide guidance to further develop competency-based training for current and future managers in Vietnam. Besides, these competencies can regionally and globally be used as a training base to improve healthcare management practice.