Human resources management Essays

Human resources management Essays Human resources management Essay Human resources management Essay This research outline addresses efficiency in the health system from a human resource point of view. The paper highlights the importance of human resources management (HRM) in enhancing general patient health outcomes and the delivery of health care services. Many key factors emerge, especially pertaining to nurse managers among others that clearly impact on health care practices and HRM. The paper reveals how human resources management is fundamental to any health care organization, to use HRM practices to improve health care delivery. Challenges in the health care systems of top ten hospitals in Asia are examined, with suggestions provided for solving these problems through the a proper application of human resources management practices. Defining human resources in health care Health care systems globally are increasingly focusing their attention is on human resources management (HRM) (Jones, D, A (1996). In particular, human resources are one of the core inputs of health systems. Therefore, human resource in healthcare is defined as an input element (WHO 2000). Human resources practices and hospitals The practice of having nurses doubling up as managers in the top ten Asian hospitals is creating a series of problems in the hospitals. These hospitals need a reform in their human resources practices. The approaches adopted should seek to improve the quality of services and customer (patients) satisfaction. Quality in healthcare consists of : technical quality-this is from medical practitioners, it impacts on the conditions of health for populations; and socio-cultural quality-from the administration, measures the degree at which the services offered by the hospitals are accepted as having the ability to satisfy patients needs (Malat, 2001). It is clear that human resource practitioners (whether nurses, doctors or generalists) are faced with many obstacles in attempting to deliver high-quality health service to patients. These problems include budgets constraints, lack of smooth interoperability between various stakeholders, equipment breakdowns, absenteeism, and low morale of hospital personnel among (Aiken et al. , 2002). Many other professionals, beside doctors and nurses are involved in the health care process. These include pharmacists, nutritionists, social workers and case managers inter alia. While there is much focus on doctors and nurses, there is a myriad of challenges that these other providers face in delivering health services (Anson, 2003). Furthermore, the health care system is becoming more technologically advanced. Hence there is need to increase the supply of specialized and skilled technicians (Guo 2003). Solutions The solution of separating patient care from managerial functions is a good solution to some extent since it allows the nurses ample time to attend to patients. Moreover, nurses are technically well versed with specific hospital operations. On the other side, hiring administrative managers is a good solution since the managers will do what they know best-ensure schedules are adhered to and efficiency is maintained. However, the better solution is the utilization of the broad spectrum of health care providers and improved coordination of health services through multidisciplinary teamwork (Barney 1997). This is because, health care is basically delivered by people, best human resources practices will be vital in the success of health service delivery (Zurn et al. , 2004). Alternative solution Alternatively, the hospitals could out-source non core functions and leave the nurses to concentrate on what they know best-taking care of patients. Outsourcing of services will allow for conversion of fixed labor expenses into variable costs thus enhancing efficiency. Contracting-out, performance contracts and internal contracting are also examples of measures employed