| Competent managers are essential to the efficient, effective and responsive of hospitals. This study aims
to determine the competencies gaps in hospital management. This cross-sectional survey was carried
out using a self-administered questionnaire among 127 hospital managers in the Iran. The questionnaire
included 61 items and 11 dimensions. Participants were completed on a five-point scale ranging the level
of importance that each proposed competency had in their job and to indicate their proficiency in each
skill. Managers felt most competent in terms of legal and ethical issues, health delivery, planning, change
management. People management, leadership and strategic management and problem-solving were
rated as being most important for the efficient and effective management of hospitals. The gaps were
highest for people management (–0.97), leadership and strategic management (–0.82) and problemsolving
(–0.80). The least skill gaps were in the areas of legal and ethical issues (–0.31), health service
delivery (–0.32) and change management (–0.43). The findings of this study reflect the reality of the
management in Iran and the needs of managers and will be helpful in the conceptualization, design and
delivery of hospital management programmes aimed at improving current and future management and
management capacity in the hospital in Iran. |