Training needs assessment of hospital CEOs in a developing country: the example of Iran

Seyede-Elahe Hosseini; Mehdi Jafari; Ali Nemati; Keyvan Rahmani; Payam Mahmoudian; Masoud Ferdosi

doi:10.1186/s12909-023-04463-2

Training needs assessment of hospital CEOs in a developing country: the example of Iran

BMC Med Educ. 2023 Aug 24;23(1):602. doi: 10.1186/s12909-023-04463-2.

Authors

Seyede-Elahe Hosseini¹, Mehdi Jafari², Ali Nemati³, Keyvan Rahmani⁴, Payam Mahmoudian⁵, Masoud Ferdosi⁶

Affiliations

¹ Health Management and Economics Research Center, School of Management and Medical Information Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
² Department of health Services Management, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
³ Department of Health Service Management, School of Management and Medical Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
⁴ Health Management Development Institute, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran.
⁵ Health Management and Economics Research Center, School of Management and Medical Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
⁶ Health Management and Economics Research Center, Department of Health Services Management, School of Management and Medical Information Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. ferdosi1348@yahoo.com.

Abstract

Background: It is essential to identify the necessary competencies of hospital CEOs in order to improve the quality and efficiency of services they provide. Expert leadership skills and competencies can have a significant impact on the success of an organization, benefiting both patients and staff. This study aimed to assess the competencies and training needs of hospital CEOs in Iran public hospitals.

Methods: We conducted this cross-sectional analytical study through a self-assessment questionnaire, which was a web-based platform developed by the WHO country office in Iran, between July 2018 and September 2018. The questionnaire was completed by 180 hospital CEOs and included a core set of 81 items based on Assessing the Competency of Hospital CEO. These items were categorized into five superordinate categories: leadership, personality and quality of individual behavior, knowledge and business skills, social responsibility, and healthcare environment. In addition, we conducted focus groups with 30 hospital CEOs, supervisor assessments with 10 hospital managers, and interviews with 10 supervisors.

Results: Of the 180 questionnaires distributed, 78% were returned, and most respondents were medical specialists. The need for leadership competencies such as individual behavior skills and change management received the highest priority. Most respondents required training in management skills, including financial management, governance, strategic thinking, quality improvement, and disaster management.

Conclusion: Providing needs-based education is crucial, especially in developing countries. In this study, leadership and strategic thinking were found to be the most needed competencies among hospital CEOs in Iran. These findings serve as reference points for developing countries with similar backgrounds and healthcare environments as Iran.

Keywords: Chief executive officers; Competency-based education; Hospital; Needs assessment.

MeSH terms

Chief Executive Officers, Hospital*
Cross-Sectional Studies
Developing Countries*
Humans
Iran
Needs Assessment