The strategic management of patient unit at the tertiary level hospitals under Ministry of Public Health

Abstract

Patient units have to have strategic management relevant to the strategy of nursing organization. The aim of this descriptive research was to investigate factors and strategic management variables at patient units in tertiary hospitals under the Ministry of Public Health. The informants were 4 head nurses experiencing in strategic management at patient units. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. Results were used to develop research questionnaires in quantitative phase. The tools had Content Validity Index 0.84 and reliability 0.87. Quantitative data were collected from 351 head nurses who had been in position for more than 3 years. Data were analyzed for Exploratory Factor Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis.

Results showed that strategic management at patient units in tertiary hospitals under the Ministry of Public Health were composed of 6 factors, including 1) preparation for personnel for strategic management at patient units that contained 3 variables, 2) specifying vision and goal of patient units that contained 5 variables, 3) setting up a strategic plan and operational year plan of patient units that contained 6 variables, 4) building motivation for personnel that contained 4 variables, 5) deploying and evaluating operational year plan that contained 10 variables, and 6) evaluating strategic plan of patient units that contained 10 variables. Results could be applied in training and management about strategic management at patient units.