An Assessment of the Performance Management Practices in the Health Sector: A Case Study of the VRA Hospital, Akosombo

Abstract

Performance management is a systematic process by which an organization involves its employees in improving organizational effectiveness in the accomplishment of the organization’s mission, vision and goals. The general objective of this study was to assess the performance management practices of the VRA Hospital, Akosombo. A cross-sectional study was conducted. All key and relevant officials of the hospital were recruited. The forty (40) top officials were selected based on their expert knowledge of the subject matter as well as their direct involvement in the performance management practices of the hospital. Semi open -ended questionnaires were used for data collection and was administered by trained assistants from the hospital. Data was analyzed using SPSS. The study discovered that most of the respondents found the vision, mission and objectives of the hospital to be clear, motivating, right, well-aligned to the yearly objectives /targets of the hospital and also being clear about their roles towards the realization of the hospital’s targets. Also that generally the VRA Hospital, Akosombo is highly efficient when it comes to clinical matters and this has culminated in better healthcare delivery to patients and assurance of both staff and patients’ safety. Respondents indicated that the hospital serves its staff and its catchment communities (non-VRA) well and that the hospital upholds employees’ safety; upholds safety of patients and technical quality in the clinical practice. Majority of the respondents agreed that the hospital’s performance management practices improve patient’s satisfaction and that the hospital’s PMS aligns to the vision and mission of the hospital, reduce unnecessary bureaucracy, improves employees’ performance and ensures effective staff supervision. Most participants felt that the hospital’s PMS rewards hard work, reduces inefficiency, enhances leadership and interpersonal skills. Furthermore, the three most important factors that motivate employees to give off their best at work were the performance management system in place, job satisfaction and salary levels. Some challenges of performance management practices at the VRA Hospital, were found to be; the environment/layout of buildings /departments were not optimal, equipment and tools being less optimal, physicians were focusing too much on quantitative (how many patients they see) instead of the qualitative performance (the quality and time of their work with their patients), insufficient manpower; bureaucracy. Also Physicians, medical technicians, and all other professionals working too independently and the organizational structure. In conclusion, if more focus is placed on putting in place effective performance management practices, better health care would be delivered since all employees would be aware of what is expected of them and how their behaviors eventually leads to their performance when assessed.