Human Resource Management in Healthcare

Department of Management, Faculty of Business Management, University of Economics in Bratislava, Dolnozemská cesta 1, 852 35 Bratislava, Slovakia

Abstract

Contemporary healthcare systems face several challenges. The main management challenges include shortage and low satisfaction of health professionals. Satisfaction and motivation of medical staff is crucial for their stabilization and quality work-medical performance. The positive impact of HRM practices on increasing employee satisfaction and engagement is scientifically proven. Currently, HRM practices in healthcare are used in a limited way, often only at the level of HR or labour law and union bargaining. This is indicative of the low level of HR development. It is desirable to make full use of HRM practices in healthcare. The aim of this paper is to identify and define the challenges of human resource management in healthcare and explain the importance of implementing developed HRM practices to improve the quality of health care delivery. The research method used is a literature search. The investigation of the relationship between quality human resource management and healthcare delivery is considered important because the knowledge and competency to manage people are not necessary to hold a management position in most healthcare professions in Slovakia. In the world’s best hospitals, we find developed HRM with a positive impact on employee satisfaction and medical indicators.