Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.3325/cmj.2024.65.339
Healthcare professionals’ perspective on managing the healthcare system in Croatia: a cross-sectional study
Stjepan Orešković
; University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Andrija Štampar School of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
Vanesa Benković
orcid.org/0000-0003-0399-8008
; Novo Nordisk Hrvatska, Zagreb, Croatia
*
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Aim To determine Croatian healthcare (HC) professionals’
perspectives on HC management and leadership challenges.
Methods This cross-sectional study, conducted between
May and June 2021, enrolled 1179 respondents from both
the public and private sector, including medical doctors,
nurses, pharmacists, economists, and other HC professionals. Their perspective on various facets of HC management,
namely governance, ownership, accountability, financing,
and potential for improvement, were investigated using an
anonymous online survey.
Results Most respondents agreed that the system may be
allocating resources ineffectively and that political mandates unduly influenced management decisions, impeding accountability. Competencies in organizational and
financial experience, along with communication and leadership skills, were deemed fundamental for health care
managers. Participants overwhelmingly supported datadriven decision-making, improved education, and the development of leadership skills as key avenues for system
enhancement.
Conclusions The study underscores the need for better financial management and overall governance, in the Croatian HC, offering insights that can inform evidence-based
policy decisions and reforms toward a more efficient and
accountable HC system.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
336467
URI
Publication date:
20.8.2024.
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