Hospital Supervisory Staff’s Perceptions Regarding the Effectiveness of Financial Management in University Hospitals

Abstract

Financial management helps hospital managers make rational financial and administrative decisions and choose effective methods for spending money. Therefore, this study aims to examine hospital supervisory staff’s perceptions regarding the effectiveness of financial management in hospitals, with a focus on university hospitals in Jordan. This study used a quantitative method and employed a cross-sectional design to achieve the study aims. The study was conducted in teaching hospitals located in different areas of Jordan, and the study participants consisted of staff members who have supervisory duties. A questionnaire was developed in order to examine the effectiveness of financial management in hospitals, as perceived by hospital managers. The sample size was 172 participants. The results showed that university hospitals in Jordan have effective financial management based on the supervisory staff's perceptions. Both budget allocation and human resources domains were effective. However, the results for the process and procedures domain were moderate. The results also showed that there was no significant difference in the mean scores according to gender (P-value= 0.66), age groups (P-value= 0.48), education level (P-value= 0.38), experience (P-value= 0.28), and position (P-value= 0.13). Hospital managers should be aware of issues related to processes and procedures and budget allocations that are likely to affect financial management. Hospital managers need to draw more attention to the importance of implementation of financial management in order to enable their hospitals to operate in a financially effective and efficient manner.