Management and leadership competence for hospital managers: a systematic review and best fit framework synthesis

Abstract

Background Competent managers are vital to the productivity and service quality of healthcare organizations and the sustainability of the healthcare system including hospitals. The purpose of this study is to synthesize the evidence related competency to management and leadership in healthcare organizations including hospitals through the Best Fit Method. Methods A systematic literature review was performed to identify studies focusing on confirming and/or assessing the competency requirements of health service managers in particular hospital managers. The following electronic databases were searched from January 2000 and December 2018: ISI/Web of Sciences, PubMed, Scopus, Emerald, and the Scientific Information Database. Applying the Best Fit Framework Synthesis Method, we mapped all of the competency and associating behavioral items against the validated MCAP management competency framework which includes 6 core competencies, 18 subthemes and 83 associating behavioural items. Results Eleven studies were identified for inclusion in the review. The mapping of the competencies and relevant items identified in these studies with the validated MCAP management competency framework and associating items confirm that the MCAP framework has vastly represented findings of all recent studies. Although the MCAP framework incorporated behavioral items associating with the competency of Professionalism into the six core competencies, the study found the necessity of treating Professionalism as an independent competency to be included in the global management competency framework for health service managers, in particular hospital managers. As a result, the proposed Global Management Competency Framework includes the following 7 competencies: evidence-informed decision making, operations, administration and resource management, knowledge of healthcare environment and the organization, interpersonal, communication qualities and relationship management, leading people and organisation, enabling and managing change, and professionalism. Conclusions This review and the mapping of the competencies identified in previous studies with the validated MCAP framework resulted in the recommendation of Global Management Competency Framework for health service managers. It provides useful guidance to the formulation of training and development direction for the health service management workforce. However, since management competencies are context sensitive, in order to developing a more targeted approach or target curriculum for the development managers from different sectors, management levels, validation is recommended.

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