Management problems and professional development needs of Australian health executives

This paper summarises the key results and recommendations from a major study of the management problems and professional development needs of Australian health executives. Key issues of major concern to a nationally representative sample of senior nursing, medical and general administrators, included the following: change, information, financial constraints, evaluation, corporate planning, human resources, conflict and staff development. Over 80% of respondents considered that they were not sufficiently involved in executive development activities and the paper addresses their preferences as to learning styles, settings, timing and location. Specific recommendations are made regarding desirable responses to the key issues of information and corporate planning.