Managing professionals: exploring the role of the hospital HR function

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Organizational Behavior
• Human Resource Management

Background:

• The acute hospital sector relies on effective management of both professional and non-professional staff.
• The role of the Human Resource (HR) function in hospital settings requires examination.
• Understanding HR's impact on different staff categories is crucial for operational efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the specific role of the HR function in managing professional and non-professional staff within acute hospitals.
• To identify how HR practices differ across various staff groups in healthcare settings.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative research approach was employed.
• Data was gathered through three hospital case studies.
• Methods included 45 interviews, direct observation, and secondary data analysis.

Main Results:

• In two of three case studies, the HR function primarily served non-professional staff.
• The strategic management of professional staff was effective in one case, despite the absence of a dedicated HR function.
• A notable deficit exists in the HR function's engagement with core professional staff.

Conclusions:

• The findings suggest a significant gap in the management of hospital professionals by HR departments.
• The 'delivery of service' concept can be a valuable framework for analyzing HRM practices in hospitals.
• Further research using diverse methodologies is recommended to explore hospital-wide staff management.