Factors Promoting and Hindering Performance of Unit Nurse Managers at Kamuzu and Queen Elizabeth Central Hospitals in Malawi

Abstract

Unit nurse managers in Malawi experience many challenges in the course of performing their roles. This affects their performance and service delivery including the quality of nursing care to patients. This study was conducted to determine the factors that hindered performance of unit managers in relation to expected quality of nursing services at two referral facilities (Kamuzu and Queen Elizabeth Central hospitals) in Malawi. These two central hospitals have the same structural settings and both offer specialized tertiary health services. A quantitative descriptive design was used to guide the planning and implementation of the study. Purposive sampling was used to select the two major hospitals in Malawi and all available 37 unit nurse managers during the time of the study at the two hospitals participated in the study. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires after seeking consent from the participants and were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. The major roles identified by the unit managers were supervision (75.6%, n = 28) and coordination (70.3%, n = 26). Other roles such as team leader, liaison officer, research allocator, monitor and facilitator were rated by very few participants. Findings of the study showed that performance of unit nurse managers was affected by inadequate material (86.4%, n = 32) and human resources (94.5%, n = 35) and lack of managerial skills (5.4%, n = 2). In addition, the unit managers perceived their role to be stressful (38.9%, n = 14) and challenging (47.2%, n = 17). Therefore, there is a need to provide adequate material and human resources to the wards of the two central hospitals to enable the unit managers perform their duties efficiently.

Nurse Managers’ Involvement in Decision-Making and Associated Factors in Selected Government Hospitals, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Visionary nurse managers are the driving force for understanding the internal image of the profession and overcoming influences from various directions and bodies ( Riley et al, 2016 ). For the delivery of excellent patient care and the reduction of medical error, the nurse manager is the critical individual who can lead and direct the nursing service department and ensure quality service delivery ( Chitsulo et al, 2014 ).…”

“…Nurses in various levels of managerial positions in hospitals, such as matrons, supervisors, and head nurses, are referred to as “nurse managers” in this study. Nurse managers are nurses who contribute to the nursing profession by directing and coordinating the work of staff nurses in a clinical setting ( Chitsulo et al, 2014 ; Riley et al, 2016 ). Nurse managers: Nurses in hospital management positions such as matron, head nurse, and supervisors.…”

“…By reviewing various works of literature, well-structured and pre-tested self-administered questionnaires were prepared, designed, and developed in a way that meets the objectives of the study ( Chitsulo et al, 2014 ; Duffield et al, 2019 ; Girvin et al, 2016 ; Regan & Rodriguez, 2011 ). The questionnaire includes all of the variables that contribute to the study's goal.…”

“…Nurses are the most numerous other professionals (Shariff, 2014; Tørstad & Bjørk, 2007), but a lack of opportunity in decision-making involvement at various levels, a lack of supportive structure, a negative image, seeing the profession as incompetent, and work overload all have a significant impact on health care decision-making participation (Ahmed & El-Hosany, 2018). Inadequate resources and manpower are factors that have a significant impact on nursing managers’ administrative decision-making involvement and result in little administrative decision-making participation (Chitsulo et al, 2014). In developing countries, the healthcare system is not advanced because nurse managers do not participate in decision-making.…”

Factors Influencing Utilization of Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives Among Women Aged 15-45 Years in Vurra Health Center 111 Arua District. A Cross-Sectional Study.

“…Examples of such contraceptives include; Intra-Uterine Contraceptive Devices that last for 10-12 years, Implants like Implanon that take 3 years, and Jadelle lasts for 5 years while protecting the user from getting pregnant. Family planning is the use of contraceptive methods to control the number, timing, and spacing of births (Chitsulo, 2019). The use of modern contraception is of great importance in public health, as its advent has resulted in the decline of fertility, the improvement of economic productivity, as well as the health of mother and child.…”