An assessment of management competencies among heads of primary healthcare institutions in western province of Sri Lanka

Purpose: Like any organization, Healthcare worldwide is also facing significant changes due to new technologies and innovations. To face these changes and to move forward Healthcare need a leader with the correct mix of Management Competencies. Lack of knowledge and training has resulted in many administrative issues surfacing and this study is focused on finding out the level of Management Competencies among the Primary Healthcare Heads. Methods: An Institutional based descriptive, cross sectional study among the Heads of the Government Primary Healthcare Institutions (GPHI), Western Province, Sri Lanka. A survey using a self-administrated questionnaire was conducted among the heads of the GPHI in Western Province. The respondents were asked to self-assess the extent to which they use the identified essential Management Competencies. Interpretation was done by comparison of the mean scores of the individual competency and as a whole. One way ANOVA, t-test and multiple comparisons were used to compare the relationship. Findings: Results show Management Competencies among the Heads in Western Province were above average with high level of Cognitive skills and relatively low in Administrative skills. The Competencies had significance levels when compared to the selected socio-demographic-educational factors. Recommendation: Emphasize more on the Administrative area when organizing workshops and training programs for Medical Officers In-charge.