An analysis of managerial skills for the current and future health care environment

A survey questioned 503 experienced practitioners about managerial tasks and responsibilities of senior professionals in four allied health fields: physiotherapy, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, and medical radiation science. Participants worked in a range of settings, including the private and public sectors, small and large departments/units, and community and hospital-based work sites. Factor analysis identified eight managerial areas of functioning: department running, staff relations management, legislative knowledge, career path management, implementation and change, quality assurance, management of future planning, and prioritizing work. The professional field of the practitioner influenced the importances attached to these areas, while work setting and gender of practitioner had minimal impact. Level of involvement in managerial tasks had no bearing on the importance attached to competency areas. Open-ended comments added depth to the results of the factor analysis. The findings are discussed with respect to the changing requirements being placed upon health service personnel.