Managerial Competencies of Primary Health Care Managers

Abstract

Introduction: Competencies are the correct combination of information; skills andbehaviors owned by individuals and may be an exporter of continuous competitivefeature for the organization. Estimating managerial abilities is significant for continuousimprovement of health care quality. Aim of the work: To evaluate the competencies ofPrimary Health Care (PHC) facilities physician managers in Zagazig Health District, El-Sharkia Governorate, Egypt and to rate the importance of the key management skills intheir present situation. Material and methods: A cross sectional study was performedat Primary Health Care Facilities at Zagazig Health District, El-Sharkia Governorate,Egypt. The total number of managers was 46; all of them were included in the study as acomprehensive sample. The data were collected by modified self-regulated questionnairefor self-assessment of the doctors’ managerial competency. Data were used to rankthe importance of different inquiries. Result: Most of the studied sample (52.2%) hadlow managerial competency particularly in staff management, planning and prioritysetting, problem solving and financial management but had high communication skills.As regards the importance of the managerial domains, least important domains wereplanning and priority setting, financial management and leadership while communicationand problem solving are the most important crucial aspects. Managerial experienceand qualification showed a statistically significant difference with all items of selfassessment managerial competency questionnaires of primary health care managers.Conclusion: There is a substantial gap in the competency level of primary health caresector managers’. Management capability needs to be strengthened to promote thestrategy of enhanced and sustainable delivery of healthcare service. To tackle the skillgap there is a need for suitable and further training and development. Introduction: Competencies are the correct combination of information; skills andbehaviors owned by individuals and may be an exporter of continuous competitivefeature for the organization. Estimating managerial abilities is significant for continuousimprovement of health care quality. Aim of the work: To evaluate the competencies ofPrimary Health Care (PHC) facilities physician managers in Zagazig Health District, El-Sharkia Governorate, Egypt and to rate the importance of the key management skills intheir present situation. Material and methods: A cross sectional study was performedat Primary Health Care Facilities at Zagazig Health District, El-Sharkia Governorate,Egypt. The total number of managers was 46; all of them were included in the study as acomprehensive sample. The data were collected by modified self-regulated questionnairefor self-assessment of the doctors’ managerial competency. Data were used to rankthe importance of different inquiries. Result: Most of the studied sample (52.2%) hadlow managerial competency particularly in staff management, planning and prioritysetting, problem solving and financial management but had high communication skills.As regards the importance of the managerial domains, least important domains wereplanning and priority setting, financial management and leadership while communicationand problem solving are the most important crucial aspects. Managerial experienceand qualification showed a statistically significant difference with all items of selfassessment managerial competency questionnaires of primary health care managers.Conclusion: There is a substantial gap in the competency level of primary health caresector managers’. Management capability needs to be strengthened to promote thestrategy of enhanced and sustainable delivery of healthcare service. To tackle the skillgap there is a need for suitable and further training and development. Introduction: Competencies are the correct combination of information; skills andbehaviors owned by individuals and may be an exporter of continuous competitivefeature for the organization. Estimating managerial abilities is significant for continuousimprovement of health care quality. Aim of the work: To evaluate the competencies ofPrimary Health Care (PHC) facilities physician managers in Zagazig Health District, El-Sharkia Governorate, Egypt and to rate the importance of the key management skills intheir present situation. Material and methods: A cross sectional study was performedat Primary Health Care Facilities at Zagazig Health District, El-Sharkia Governorate,Egypt. The total number of managers was 46; all of them were included in the study as acomprehensive sample. The data were collected by modified self-regulated questionnairefor self-assessment of the doctors’ managerial competency. Data were used to rankthe importance of different inquiries. Result: Most of the studied sample (52.2%) hadlow managerial competency particularly in staff management, planning and prioritysetting, problem solving and financial management but had high communication skills.As regards the importance of the managerial domains, least important domains wereplanning and priority setting, financial management and leadership while communicationand problem solving are the most important crucial aspects. Managerial experienceand qualification showed a statistically significant difference with all items of selfassessment managerial competency questionnaires of primary health care managers.Conclusion: There is a substantial gap in the competency level of primary health caresector managers’. Management capability needs to be strengthened to promote thestrategy of enhanced and sustainable delivery of healthcare service. To tackle the skillgap there is a need for suitable and further training and development.