Investigating the introduction of a performance management programme amongst Maltese primary health care nurses.

Abstract

Performance management programmes (PMP) have become a standard managerial tool with considerable potential for the future. The utilisation of this programme facilitates effective management of individuals and teams as well as the achievement of higher levels of organizational performance. The PMP is an ongoing process that not only facilitates planning and coaching but can also be used to evaluate current employee performance with the intent of finding gaps in performance which can be targeted in the next planning and coaching phases. This study aims at providing a situational analysis regarding the introduction of a PMP for nurses working in the Primary Health Care sector. The purpose of the study was to assess the willingness of nurses and Nursing Officers working within the Primary Care setting to accept the introduction of a PMP, the resulting impact and any acceptable consequences that should follow. A cross sectional study, making use of a self reported postal questionnaire was adopted to survey all nurses (n = 156) and all Nursing Officers (n = 9) working in the Primary Health Care Department at the time of the survey. Sixty three percent of nurses and all Nursing Officers returned a completed questionnaire. Both nurses (Mean = 1.82; P = 0.001) and their Nursing Officers (Mean = 1.67; P = 0.039) favour the introduction of a PMP. Nursing Officers want to offer their support (Mean= 1.56; P = 0.004) and are ready to discuss problems related to their subordinates' performance (Mean= 1.44; P = 0.004) whilst the majority of nurses (91%) participating in this study would like to attend a course related to individual performance and want to be supported (Mean= 1.61; P = 0.001). With a strong significant difference, this study revealed that if a PMP was to be launched, nurses prefer their Nursing Officer to be the person to evaluate them (Mean= 2.2; P = 0.001) and Nursing Officers concord (Mean= 1.67; P = 0.039). The main function of management has been described as the art and science of planning, organizing, leading and controlling the organization's resources, which include human, physical, informational and financial, in order to reach the organizational goals effectively and efficiently. The human resource has been identified as the most valuable and therefore planning their performance and controlling that objectives are met is a fundamental role of management. Hence, it is imperative for managers and supervisors to keep their employees motivated in order to obtain the best performance from them, both in terms of production levels and quality of output. This can be safeguarded by the introduction of a PMP. Primary Care nurses and Nursing Officers in Malta are prepared to embrace this.