The relationship between supervisory leadership and healthcare service delivery in public hospitals in Uganda: A personnel management issue

Abstract

The study examined the relationship between supervisory leadership provided by Iganga General Hospital in Uganda and healthcare service delivery. The main objective was to examine the relationship between supervisory leadership practiced in the hospital and perceived healthcare service delivery in Iganga General Hospital. The specific objectives were; (1) to determine the relationship between supervisory leadership and child and maternal healthcare services offered to patients; (2) to analyze the relationship between supervisory leadership and STI/HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis services; and (3) to assess the relationship between supervisory leadership and outpatient curative services. Results revealed that; (1) there is a significant relationship between supervisory leadership and; (i) child healthcare services (r = .374**, p < 0.0001); and (ii) maternal healthcare services (r = .460**, p < 0.0001). Similarly, there is a significant relationship between supervisory leadership and; (i) STI/HIV/AIDS services (r = .349**, p < 0.003); and (ii) tuberculosis services (r = .409**, p < 0.0001). As expected, supervisory leadership associated significantly with outpatient curative services (r = .459**, p < 0.0001). Based on the findings, it was recommended that referral hospitals in Uganda and elsewhere should not neglect the supervisory leadership role emphasized in the human resource management literature to ensure significant service delivery in the various departments and units of such hospitals. In addition, government should motivate the hospital staff so that the supervisory leadership function is demonstrated with confidence and character.