[Medical and nursing leadership in hospitals. Tasks and experiences]

During winter 1991, 60% of medical and nursing administrators in Telemark county made an extensive evaluation of their own jobs. Head of Department physicians spent 60% of their working time on medical tasks, 10% on budgets and accounting, and 30% on care of the staff. Direct work in connection with patients took 48% of time. 19% of the working time was spent on secretarial functions which could preferably be delegated to others. Head of Department doctors have too little education in budgeting and accounting. Head of Section doctors spent 77% of their working time on medical tasks. This is a group of contented and productive physicians. Head of Department nurses spent 74% of their time on administrative tasks and 11% on work directly connected to patients. 25% of the time was spent on individual care of colleagues in addition to professional instruction, and the group would like to have even more time for this task. Head of Ward nurses spent 38% of their working time on patients and 58% on tasks connected to the staff. 26% of their time is mere secretarial work. Individual care of colleagues required 21% of their time, and they would like to have even more time for this purpose. All groups of administrators would like to receive more feedback from the top management of their hospital.