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A span of control tool for clinical managers.
Robin Morash1, Janet Brintnell, Ginette Lemire Rodger
1Geriatric Assessment Unit and Day Hospital, The Ottawa Hospital, ON. rmorash@ottawahospital.on.ca
Nursing Leadership (Toronto, Ont.)
|December 24, 2005
Summary
Canadian healthcare reforms in the late 1990s led to fewer clinical managers and increased spans of control, hindering their effectiveness. Supporting clinical managers, especially in nursing, is crucial for healthcare delivery.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Organizational Behavior in Healthcare
- Nursing Administration
Background:
- Canadian healthcare underwent significant downsizing and reform in the late 1990s.
- These changes resulted in reduced numbers of clinical managers.
- This led to an increased span of control for remaining managers, potentially impairing their role fulfillment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the critical role of first-line managers in healthcare, particularly nursing services.
- To emphasize the need for prioritizing support for the professional practice of clinical managers.
Main Methods:
- This study is a review of the consequences of healthcare reorganizations in Canada during the late 1990s.
- It synthesizes findings from previous research (Altaffer 1998; Counsell et al. 2001; Pabst 1993).
Main Results:
- Healthcare reorganizations led to a reduction in clinical managers.
- The span of control for clinical managers significantly increased.
- This increased span of control has hindered the abilities of clinical managers to fulfill their roles effectively.
Conclusions:
- First-line managers are essential for effective healthcare delivery, especially in nursing.
- Supporting the professional practice of clinical managers should be a priority for healthcare organizations.
- Addressing the challenges posed by increased spans of control is vital for maintaining quality healthcare services.