A health management competency framework for Australia.

Objective This study examined whether the management competency framework for health service managers developed in the Victorian healthcare context is applicable to managers in other Australian states. Methods An online questionnaire survey of senior and middle-level health service managers in both community health services and hospitals was conducted in New South Wales and Queensland. Results The study confirmed that the essential tasks for senior and middle-level managers are consistent across health and social care sectors, as well as states. Core competencies for health services managers identified in the Victorian healthcare context are relevant to other Australian states. In addition, two additional competencies were incorporated into the framework. Conclusion The Management Competency Assessment Program competency framework summarises six competencies and associated behaviours that may be useful for guiding performance management and the education and training development of health service managers in Australia. What is known about the topic? The evidence suggests that competency-based approaches can enhance performance and talent management, and inform education and training needs, yet there has been no validated competency framework for Australian health service managers. What does the paper add? This paper explains the process of the finalisation of the first management competency framework for guiding the identification of the training and development needs of Australian health service managers and the management of their performance. What are the implications for practice? The Management Competency Assessment Program competency framework can guide the development of the health service management workforce in three Australian states, and may be applicable to other jurisdictions. Further studies are required in the remaining jurisdictions to improve the external validity of the framework.

Human dimension of health service management.

This article identifies three relevant and valid constructs that are associated with personal and organisational performance that can be used in the training of current and future health service managers: personal engagement at work, emotional intelligence and conflict resolution. A review was undertaken of the literature in human resources management to identify key concepts that bind and strengthen the management of organisations. A curriculum content analysis was then performed of postgraduate health management courses in Australia to assess the extent of inclusion in these areas. Three concepts and practices of relevance to the human dimension of health management, namely personal engagement at work, emotional intelligence and conflict resolution, were found to: (1) have concept validity; (2) be associated with personal and organisational performance; and (3) be capable of being imparted by training. The analysis indicated that none of the competencies and/or skills identified has been given emphasis in postgraduate health management courses in Australia. Competence in the management of human relationships in health services has been given low priority in university postgraduate training in health management in Australia. The current situation poses challenges to all stakeholders of health services.

Finding brilliance using positive organizational scholarship in healthcare.

PURPOSE: Positive organizational scholarship in healthcare (POSH) suggests that, to promote widespread improvement within health services, focusing on the good, the excellent, and the brilliant is as important as conventional approaches that focus on the negative, the problems, and the failures. POSH offers different opportunities to learn from and build resilient cultures of safety, innovation, and change. It is not separate from tried and tested approaches to health service improvement--but rather, it approaches this improvement differently. The paper aims to discuss these issues. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: POSH, appreciative inquiry (AI) and reflective practice were used to inform an exploratory investigation of what is good, excellent, or brilliant health service management. FINDINGS: The researchers identified new characteristics of good healthcare and what it might take to have brilliant health service management, elucidated and refined POSH, and identified research opportunities that hold potential value for consumers, practitioners, and policymakers. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS: The secondary data used in this study offered limited contextual information. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: This approach is a platform from which to: identify, investigate, and learn about brilliant health service management; and inform theory and practice. SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS: POSH can help to reveal what consumers and practitioners value about health services and how they prefer to engage with these services. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Using POSH, this paper examines what consumers and practitioners value about health services; it also illustrates how brilliance can be theorized into health service management research and practice.

Quality of pathology services: new strategic directions required.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to discuss the challenges faced in Australia to maintain and sustain quality in pathology services, and present new strategic directions to address such challenges. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The paper is a review of the literature on pathology services and its quality of delivery and emerging issues. FINDINGS: Major issues are emerging in pathology services which threaten to impact on the quality of future service delivery. These issues include workforce shortages, growth in inappropriate testing, advancing technology, rural and remote region servicing, and a negative image of the sector. New strategic directions are shown to be necessary in terms of workforce planning and addressing the escalation of new technology and innovation. In order to sustain quality of services, a significant change from current practice is recommended, with strong leadership as the change driver. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: This paper highlights the potential impact of emerging issues on future pathology-service quality. Significant implications for service delivery and patient care quality are reviewed. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This paper provides valuable information on current strategic and planning issues impacting on pathology services. It provides new solutions from the perspective of leadership of health and health services.