Health managers and health reform
- Authors: Briggs, David , Cruickshank, Mary , Paliadelis, Penny
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Management & Organization Vol. 18, no. 5 (2012), p. 641-658
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- Description: This qualitative study was undertaken with a diverse sample of Australian health managers to examine their perceptions regarding the health system and to understand how they learned to become health managers. The findings showed that they viewed the health system as one of constant change, mostly non-adaptive, and a system of parts controlled by bureaucrats and political interests. While the respondents enjoyed their managerial role, they see it as contested between the professions. This study concluded that greater emphasis on the education and training of health managers and their continuing professional development is required if they are to manage increasingly complex, dynamic and changing health systems. In Australia, the health debate continues with the recently announced national health reform agenda. The perceptions of health managers in health reform and change management are important given that they are said to be central to the implementation of health reform and the management of change.
Identifying challenges and barriers in the delivery of primary healthcare at the district level : A study in one Thai province
- Authors: Tejativaddhana, Phudit , Briggs, David , Fraser, John , Minichiello, Victor , Cruickshank, Mary
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Health Planning and Management Vol. 28, no. 1 (2013), p. 16-34
- Full Text: false
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- Description: In 2001, the universal health coverage policy was adopted by Thailand with primary healthcare (PHC) as the major focus of the policy. In order to understand the structural and institutional factors affecting the implementation of PHC in rural Thailand, a qualitative study, utilising individual interviews with national and provincial policy decision makers, community health directors, heads of hospital primary care units, chiefs of district health offices, heads of health centres and community representatives, from one rural province was undertaken. Findings showed that the sustainability of PHC service provision under the administration of community hospitals is problematic as barriers exist at the policy and operational levels and access to PHC for all citizens may not be achieved until these barriers are addressed. Furthermore, although PHC needs to be acknowledged and implemented by all stakeholders within the health industry and government, the roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders in health services management at the district level need to be clarified. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Motivational factors influencing retention of village health workers in rural communities of Bhutan
- Authors: Tshering, Dolley , Tejativaddhana, Phudit , Siripornpibul, Taweesak , Cruickshank, Mary , Briggs, David
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health Vol. 31, no. 5 (2019), p. 433-442
- Full Text: false
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- Description: Village health workers (VHWs) are the first contact extending vital health services to unreached and underserved communities in Bhutan. VHWs truly embody the principles of primary health care and are effective catalysts in promoting community health. This study identifies and confirms factors motivating VHWs to remain in the health care system. This is a quantitative study with a cross-sectional survey design. Two-stage cluster sampling was used with VHWs from 12 districts representing 3 regions of Bhutan. Data were collected using pretested semistructured questionnaires. Confirmatory factor analysis was used for data analysis. Findings reveal a 4-factor model of motivations among VHWs that includes social, personal, job related, and organizational factors. Among these, the social factor most significantly motivates VHWs to remain in the health care system. VHW motivation can be further fostered by providing a holistic combination of financial and nonfinancial incentives that recognize intrinsic needs and empower innate altruism. What We Already Knowwe already know that there are varied of motivating factors for village health workers to remain in the health care systems in different countries. What This Article Adds This article adds a new body of knowledge. The current study found that social factor is the main motivating factor for village health workers in Bhutan, which requires due consideration by health managers and policymakers during the decision-making process.