scholarly journals Assessing the Competence of Evidence-Informed Decision-Making Amongst Health Service Managers

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 16-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhangming Liang ◽  
Peter Howard ◽  
Dennis Wollersheim
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Informed Decision ◽  
Competency Assessment ◽  
Informed Decision Making ◽  
Study Objective ◽  
Objective Evidence ◽  
Service Managers

Objective: Evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM) amongst health service managers has been positively linked to better decision outcome, hence more effective healthcare provision. Efforts to improve EIDM practice are required to meet the current challenging healthcare environment. One key step to improve such practices is skill enhancement. The purpose of the study is the measure the competence of mid-level managers in two Victorian hospitals in applying EIDM in their roles. Design: The competence of 25 mid-level managers in applying EIDM in their roles was assessed via a 360° process using an online management competency assessment tool (MCAP Tool) and case-study objective assessment tool. Setting: Mid-level managers working in Victorian hospitals were selected. Main outcome measures: The competence of mid-level managers in applying the competency of EIDM was assessed. This paper discusses the areas of improvement identified in enhancing the competence of EIDM amongst mid-level managers in the group, organisational and individual levels Results: EIDM is an important competency for health service managers. Managers who participated in the assessment are competent in applying EIDM in their roles, but require guidance and improvements. Strengths and weaknesses of managers in applying EIDM in their roles varied between organisations. Conclusion: This paper suggests that not only improvement of specific aspects of evidenceinformed decision-making amongst health service managers are required, additional more systematic changes at the organisational and individual management level are essential to achieve competent evidence-informed decision-making practices amongst health service managers. Abbreviations: CCA – Combined Colleagues; CEO – Chief Executive Officer; EIDM – Evidence Informed Decision Making; OA – Objective Assessment; SA – Self Assessment.

A framework to improve evidence-informed decision-making in health service management

2012 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhanming Liang ◽  
Peter F. Howard ◽  
Sandra G. Leggat ◽  
Gregory Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Service Management ◽  
Informed Decision ◽  
Management Decision ◽  
Informed Decision Making ◽  
Management Decision Making ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Service Managers

Objective. The objective of this paper is to present and provide justification for a framework to improve evidence-informed management decision-making among health service managers. Three research questions informed the study: How have different perspectives influenced how evidence has been defined? What are the barriers to the practice of evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM)? What are the factors that may encourage the application of evidence to guide management decision-making processes? Methods. A literature review was conducted to identify studies that examined the practice of EIDM among health service managers. Information relevant to the three research questions was collectively analysed, compared and contrasted based on their relevance to the EIDM process. Conclusion. Several factors have played different but significant roles in affecting the practice of EIDM among health service managers. Although interaction between these factors is complex, the framework developed in this paper may guide the development of strategies to encourage and improve the utilisation of evidence in management decision-making process. What is known about the topic? EIDM has been promoted as a mechanism for improving the quality of management decisions, and hence better service delivery, effectiveness and efficiency. Previous studies have explored and discussed various factors that may affect the practice of EIDM amongst health service managers. However, a greater understanding of how these factors interact is required so that relevant strategies to promote the increased use of EIDM can be developed. What does this paper add? The paper clarifies ‘evidence’ from the view of both managers and members of the research community. It discusses factors that may affect the practice of EIDM among health service managers and develops a framework to for better understanding of how these factors interact and affect practice at various levels. The framework will guide the development of strategies to encourage the utilisation of evidence among health service managers. What are the implications for practitioners? To encourage the practice of evidence-informed decision-making amongst health service managers, multi-level changes in the system, organisation and individual levels are required. To maximise the benefit and relevance of research evidence, managers should be actively involved in setting research agendas and guiding the appropriate presentation of research findings to meet the needs of potential readers.

Validation of a management competency assessment tool for health service managers

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter F. Howard ◽  
Zhanming Liang ◽  
Sandra Leggat ◽  
Leila Karimi
Keyword(s):  
Health Service ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Community Services ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Competency Assessment ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Australian Health ◽  
Service Managers ◽  
Management Competency

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report on the validation of a management competency assessment tool for health services managers (HSM), which resulted from the development and validation of the framework, addressed by a previous paper. Design/methodology/approach The management competency assessment tool (MCAP Tool) was validated using assessment data from a sample of 117 senior and middle managers working in two public hospitals and five community services in Victoria, Australia. The assessments were conducted between January 2013 and September 2014. Findings Both validity and reliability of the MCAP Tool were demonstrated. Practical implications The MCAP Tool has the potential to assist in the measurement of the competencies of HSM. Further research is required to determine if the framework and tool are applicable to HSM in other settings. Originality/value This is the first published study outlining the validity and reliability of an assessment tool to measure the management competencies of Australian health service managers.

scholarly journals Going Beyond Panaceas: The Diversity of Land Observatory Forms in Africa

Land ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quentin Grislain ◽  
Jeremy Bourgoin ◽  
Ward Anseeuw ◽  
Perrine Burnod ◽  
Eva Hershaw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Video Conferencing ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Informed Decision ◽  
Informed Decision Making ◽  
Information Production ◽  
Dynamic Data ◽  
Ex Post ◽  
Ex Ante

In recent decades, mechanisms for observation and information production have proliferated in an attempt to meet the growing needs of stakeholders to access dynamic data for the purposes of informed decision-making. In the land sector, a growing number of land observatories are producing data and ensuring its transparency. We hypothesize that these structures are being developed in response to the need for information and knowledge, a need that is being driven by the scale and diversity of land issues. Based on the results of a study conducted on land observatories in Africa, this paper presents existing and past land observatories on the continent and proposes to assess their diversity through an analysis of core dimensions identified in the literature. The analytical framework was implemented through i) an analysis of existing literature on land observatories, ii) detailed assessments of land observatories based on semi-open interviews conducted via video conferencing, iii) fieldwork and visits to several observatories, and iv) participant observation through direct engagement and work at land observatories. We emphasize that the analytical framework presented here can be used as a tool by land observatories to undertake ex-post self-evaluations that take the observatory’s trajectory into account, or in the case of proposed new land observatories, to undertake ex-ante analyses and design the pathway towards the intended observatory.

scholarly journals A referral aid for smoking cessation interventions in primary care: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniëlle N. Zijlstra ◽  
Jean W.M. Muris ◽  
Catherine Bolman ◽  
J. Mathis Elling ◽  
Vera E.R.A. Knapen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Informed Decision ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Informed Decision Making

Abstract Background: To expedite the use of evidence-based smoking cessation interventions (EBSCIs) in primary care and to thereby increase the number of successful quit attempts, a referral aid was developed. This aid aims to optimize the referral to and use of EBSCIs in primary care and to increase adherence to Dutch guidelines for smoking cessation. Methods: Practice nurses (PNs) will be randomly allocated to an experimental condition or control condition, and will then recruit smoking patients who show a willingness to quit smoking within six months. PNs allocated to the experimental condition will provide smoking cessation guidance in accordance with the referral aid. Patients from both conditions will receive questionnaires at baseline and after six months. Cessation effectiveness will be tested via multilevel logistic regression analyses. Multiple imputations as well as intention to treat analysis will be performed. Intervention appreciation and level of informed decision-making will be compared using analysis of (co)variance. Predictors for appreciation and informed decision-making will be assessed using multiple linear regression analysis and/or structural equation modeling. Finally, a cost-effectiveness study will be conducted. Discussion: This paper describes the study design for the development and evaluation of an information and decision tool to support PNs in their guidance of smoking patients and their referral to EBSCIs. The study aims to provide insight into the (cost) effectiveness of an intervention aimed at expediting the use of EBSCIs in primary care.

scholarly journals Research use at the Ministry of Health in Burkina Faso: the decision-makers’ perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Dagenais
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Burkina Faso ◽  
Informed Decision ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Research Use ◽  
Informed Decision Making ◽  
Ministry Of Health ◽  
Policy Makers

Abstract Background Despite the increased emphasis placed on the use of evidence for policy development, relatively few initiatives have been developed to support evidence-informed decision-making, especially in West Africa. Moreover, studies examining the conditions under which policy-makers use research-based evidence are still scarce, but they show that their attitudes and opinions about research are one of the main determinants of such use. In February 2017, Burkina Faso’s Minister of Health planned to create a unit to promote evidence-informed decision-making within the ministry. Before the unit was set up, documenting the attitudes towards research at the highest levels of his Ministry appeared profitable to the unit’s planning. Method Individual interviews were conducted by the author with 14 actors positioned to consider evidence during decision-making from the Burkina Faso’s Minister of health cabinet. An interview grid was used to explore several themes such as attitudes towards research, obstacles and facilitators to research use, example of research use in decision-making and finally, ways to increase decision-makers’ participation in knowledge transfer activities. Interviews were partially transcribed and analysed by the author. Results The results show a mixed attitude towards research and relatively little indication of research use reported by respondents. Important obstacles were identified: evidence inaccessibility, lack of implementation guidelines, absence of clear communication strategy and studies’ lack of relevance for decision-making. Many suggestions were proposed such as raising awareness, improving access and research communication and prioritizing interactions with researchers. Respondents agree with the low participation of decision-makers in knowledge transfer activities: more leadership from the senior officials was suggested and greater awareness of the importance of their presence. Conclusions The conclusion presents avenues for reflection and action to increase the potential impact of the knowledge transfer unit planned within the Ministry of Health of Burkina Faso. This innovative initiative will be impactful if the obstacles identified in this study and policy-makers’ preferences and needs are taken into account during its development and implementation.

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