Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 2

Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its Learning Outcomes by answering the following questions. Write your answers in your Study Diary and discuss them with your Tutor at the next Study Support Meeting. You can check your answers with the Notes on the Self-Assessment Questions at the end of this Module.

SAQ 2.1 (tests Learning Outcome 2.1)

Fit the following words (A–D) into their correct sentences (1–4):

A  Management

B  Leadership

C  Health manager

D  Controlling

  1. The … enjoyed helping the rest of her team to achieve their goals and objectives.
  2. … expenditure on the health campaign became difficult because of the rising costs.
  3. Every healthworker can demonstrate their … qualities and become an important part of the team.
  4. Although most Health Extension Practitioners enjoy looking after people in their community they also need to develop their …. skills so that the health of everyone in their community can be improved.

Answer

  1. The Health Manager enjoyed helping the rest of her team to achieve their goals and objectives.
  2. Controlling expenditure on the health campaign became difficult because of rising costs.
  3. Every healthworker can demonstrate their Leadership qualities and become an important part of the team.
  4. Although most Health Extension Practitioners enjoy looking after people in their community they also need to develop their Management skills so that the health of everyone in their community can be improved.

SAQ 2.2 (tests Learning Outcome 2.2)

What are the main principles of healthcare management?

Answer

The main principles of healthcare management are usually considered to be maintaining team spirit, ensuring the correct division of labour and focusing on the results of the team’s activities. All these principles can be achieved by planning, organising and coordinating, and by skillfully leading your team. Monitoring and control is always important to make sure that your health objectives are being achieved.

SAQ 2.3 (tests Learning Outcome 2.3)

What are the main levels of managers in the healthcare system? What level of management do Health Extension Practitioners fit into and why is their management role important?

Answer

The main levels of managers in the healthcare system are usually considered to be top-level managers, middle-level managers and frontline managers. Health Extension Practitioners are, of course, frontline managers. Their management tasks are concerned with the practical provision of health services to their community. In many ways this is the most important level and requires a lot of skill to make sure that the correct resources are used to tackle disease and ill health in your community.

SAQ 2.4 (tests Learning Outcome 2.4)

Describe leadership and its principles. How does it differ from management?

Answer

Leadership is one of the ways that Health Extension Practitioners can influence the health of people in their community. Using their leadership role, Health Extension Practitioners can show villagers the correct ways to maintain their health and influence the ways that they think about protecting themselves and their families. A good leader will make sure that the correct decisions about health are taken by the members of their community. Leadership is a less precise feature of the work of Health Extension Practitioners than management. Leadership will rely on motivation to help people change, rather than direct or formal organisation of health activities that relies on the management of resources.

Summary of Study Session 2