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Abstract

This paper describes a study using observation methods which was carried out in two public hospitals in Melbourne, Australia. The purpose was to identify the roles performed and skills required by senior hospital managers in order to carry out their job effectively. Direct first hand observations of the managers in the natural setting were made by the author for a period of 120 hours. Additional information was gathered by questionnaire, informal interviews and an examination of documentation in relation to structure and job description. It was found that the hospital manager's day was characterised by being reactive, technical and tactical. The manager's job involved a great deal of interaction with others on a large number of issues within a multi-disciplinary and complex environment. The data indicated that the skills required to carry out the job of the hospital manager were exchanging information, processing paperwork, monitoring/controlling performance, planning/co-ordinating, motivating, and managing conflict. Arising from the data are implications for the selection of hospital managers and the content of management development and education programmes.

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Skills Required for Effective Performance by Hospital Managers

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