QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE DETERMINANTS OF WORK EFFICIENCY AMONG DISTRICT HEALTH ADMINISTRATORS IN RESOURCE-CONSTRAINED ENVIRONMENTS IN GHANA
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In the background There is mounting evidence that effective district management practices can enhance the performance of the health system, while ineffective and unproductive management practices have the opposite effect. The purpose of the current investigation was to identify methods in which district health managers' ineffective management practices could be remedied and the factors that contribute to such practices. Approaching methods A total of nineteen semi-structured interviews were undertaken with district health administrators representing three districts situated in Ghana's Eastern Region. In these districts in 2013, 90% of the managerial workforce was represented in the 19 interviews that were conducted. The findings were organised into a thematic analysis using the leadership and management strengthening framework developed by the WHO. As a result It was determined that human resource shortages, inadequate planning and communication skills, financial constraints, and a restricted decision space that limits the authority and ability of district health managers to influence decision-making are significant contributors to ineffective district health management practices. Individual and organisational managerial efficiency could be enhanced through the implementation of the following strategies: enhancements to time management, communication, and planning; and assurance of the punctual disbursement of district funds. In conclusion, A potentially effective intervention package could consist of the following: filling vacancies on the District Health Management Team, enhancing the leadership and management capabilities of district health managers, optimising the allocation of district funds, and granting greater autonomy to the districts. Such measures could lead to more streamlined and effective management practices, as well as improved health system performance.
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