Abstract : (247 words)
Measuring performance is generally considered the first step in improving performance. However, the quality of supervisor-provider interactions and of supervisors' facilitation skills in areas such as problem-solving have not been systematically assessed and quantified. This presentation will describe an approach for quantifying the quality of supervisor-provider interactions in three provinces of Zimbabwe.
In early 1999, a group of supervisors, researchers, and technical experts selected eleven supervisory behaviors, identified specific positive and negative examples of each, and developed and tested a rating scale and observation tools. Following this exercise, the team then conducted an assessment of supervisors in three provinces. The team spent an entire day with a supervisor (16 total), accompanying him/her on visits to a variety of health facilities (hospitals, health centers, municipal health units, and mobile ZNFPC units). After each observation, the evaluators reviewed their findings and scored the supervisor on a scale of 1-10 for each of the eleven behaviors. The process resulted in tools that could effectively be used by trained Zimbabweans to measure the quality of supervisory practices and identify deficiencies. The assessment showed there was considerable room for improvement in supervisory practice.
This presentation will feature the results of the assessment and show how they enabled supervisors' superiors to identify areas of supervisory practice that need strengthening.
Learning Objectives: The learner will be able to develop an understanding of how the quality of district-level supervision can be assessed and become cognizant of the current state of supervision-provider interactions in Zimbabwe
Keywords: Developing Countries, Quality
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.