Management information needs of clinician managers in a metropolitan teaching hospital

Clinician managers need relevant, current and integrated information to assist them in their managerial roles. This study examined the management information needs of clinician managers (doctors, nurses, data managers and a business manager) from a metropolitan teaching hospital. A purposive sample, of 15 clinician managers and five Information Unit staff who provide the clinicians with management reports, was interviewed by one researcher between July and September, 2001. The clinician managers indicated a preference for up-to-date, tabular or graphic management reports specific to their clinical specialty, and for education in interpreting the reports. The Information Unit staff members were willing to assist in these respects, and to present at Clinical Unit meetings to facilitate communication between the information providers and users. Clinician managers also required data for comparison with similar units within the area health service, or state-wide; they used the management reports mainly to assist with staffing and budgetary management. Continuous communication between providers and users of management information is essential to support the management function of clinicians.