A perceptive study of factors influencing the entry of ministry of health hospitals into contract management

Abstract EN

This study was carried out to determine the perceptions of health care managers and those who had direct contact with contract management companies regarding the factors that influence entering into contract management.

The factors were categorized into environmental, health manpower and organizational factors.

Data were collected from 368 respondents working in various Ministry of Health (MOH) hospitals from different parts of the Kingdom.

Chi-square tests were utilized to determine if there were statistically significant differences in the perceptions of those who favored contract management and those who preferred self-management of MOH hospitals.

Results show that the pro-contract management and pro-self management respondents have statistically significant different perceptions on two of the four environmental factors, all four health manpower factors, and two of the four organizational factors.

The two environmental factors concern the inflexible systems of the Ministry of Finance and National Economy, and the lack of clear administration systems in the health sector.

On the other hand, the organizational factors relate to possible ability of contract management companies to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of government hospitals, and to provide consultative services for health care management.

This study recommends the evaluation of the systems of both Civil Service Bureau and the Ministry of Finance and National Economy, and the adoption of independent recruitment and financial systems for the Ministry of Health.

The results of this study also call for a rigorous evaluation of contract management companies, especially their recruitment and fiscal policies.

It is also recommended that future studies be conducted in the area of contract management.

This may include studies that will evaluate the performance of contract management companies based on measurable indicators.