Competencies of physicians in management and leadership for a better palliative care treatment

Background

• Assess current level of leadership and managerial competencies of public health professionals in our country, and; • Evaluation of the level of competence required (desired) governance and management of public health professionals in our country. The current level of competence refers to the knowledge, skills and leadership skills and managerial control of public health professionals.

Methods

This international scientific study was conducted in three phases: • Exhaustive review of scientific literature; • Panel consensus (consensus development panel); • Delphi study type (Delphi survey). First, atransversal (cross-sectional) study was undertaken to enable pre-testing (piloting) of the instrument of international standardized assessment of competencies of leadership and management in a practical sample of public health professionals in Tirana.

Results

The average age in the group of male (N = 62) public health professionals nationwide in this sample was 44.9 ± 10.6 years, while in women (N = 105) te average age of public health professionals was 44.4 ± 9.9 years. The average value of the output aggregate full-scale instrument consisting of 52 questions was lower for the current level of power management compared to the level necessary (desired) powers in leading public health professionals involved in this study nationwide in our country (138.4 ± 11.2 vs. 159.7 ± 25.3, respectively; P

Conclusions

This study was based on the application of a standardized instrument of contemporary design by experts and professionals and the best and recommended for a wide application in all countries of the European region. The application of the instrument in a nationwide representative sample in our country showed that the current level of managerial competence is lower compared with the level necessary (desired) for leadership competencies of public health professionals. The difference between the actual and the level of competence needed was statistically very significant. Even in our country, special importance should be given to education and vocational training based on competence, with a main focus towards the results of the work of health professionals and not simply knowledge acquired, which are necessary precondition but not at all sufficient to cope with complex problems and to solve them effectively and efficiently. For this reason, education and competency-based training should definitely be included in all programs of continuing professional development in our country. Results of the current study will enable comparability studies.

Clinical trial identification

Legal entity responsible for the study

The University of Medicine Tirana, Albania

Funding

The study has been founded by my private grants.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.