The Management of General Practice

By

Acknowledgement

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

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Abstract

In this study we try to explore the concept of general practice in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on general practice and its relation with management. The research also analyzes many aspects of general practice and tries to gauge its effect on Management. Finally the research describes various factors which are responsible for general practice and tries to describe the overall effect of general practice on management.

Contents

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Problem Statement2

Research aims and Objectives3

CHAPTER 2: SUCCESSFUL MANAGEMENT5

What makes a successful manager in general practice?5

Background and General Practice Management Trends7

Management Responsibilities10

CHAPTER 3: LITERATURE REVIEW12

Organisational Theory Models12

Origins of Organisational management17

Fredrick. W. Taylor18

Dr. Joseph. M. Juran18

Philip B. Crosby19

History of GP Practice19

The main functions and responsibilities of the PM22

Practice Manager23

Use of New technology24

CHAPTER 4: METHODOLOGY25

Mixed Research25

Research Design25

Literature Search26

CHAPTER 5: SHAPERS IN PRACTICE MANAGEMENT27

Government28

Professional Bodies28

Patients28

Funding29

Competition29

Skills30

Employers30

Innovation30

CHAPTER 6: BENCHMARKING: AREAS FOR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT32

Measurement of QI Implementations32

Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Criteria34

CHAPTER 7: DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS36

Reforms to the NHS over time36

The current structure and funding of the NHS41

Human Resource Management in Healthcare Organisations42

Compensation43

Human Resource Management44

Labour Economics45

Quality Improvement and Financial Performance48

Analysis of the Identification of the Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Competencies, Needed Upon Entering the Healthcare Management Field51

CHAPTER 8: CONCLUSION61

The Future of General Practice61

Conclusions63

REFERENCES68

BIBLIOGRAPHY79

Chapter 1: Introduction

This document highlights key areas and skills that are required to manage a General Practice in the National Health Service (NHS) in 2011, within the life of the current Political and Economic framework.

The Research looks at the new challenges that the Government's White Paper is moving Primary care towards, such as GP commissioning consortiums (Kings Fund 2011), and within a changing environment what management structures maybe required to manage a General Practice in order to continue to meet the needs of all stakeholders and patients.

Standards of management in General Practice are important to ensure that a Primary Care service provider, e.g. Doctor's Surgeries, meets the needs of patients, the owners and other stakeholders involved in the organisation. In order to meet the challenges ahead, it is necessary to review the current practice management structures and the roles and responsibilities currently undertaken by Practice Managers to ensure that GP Practices are in a position to meet these challenges and are currently fit for purpose. The Phoenix Agenda in 2000 stated:

“In recent years general practice management has become an ever more complex business, demanding high-calibre personnel with a wide range of skills and expertise. The continuing professional development of managers in general practice is essential if they are to keep pace with the ever-changing environment in primary care” (Phoenix Agenda ...