Evaluation of the result-based management conceptual understanding of performance agreement among personnel of the faculty of medicine Siriraj Hospital.

Objective: Performance agreement (PA) has been used in the Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, as a system of performance appraisal for more than two years. This study is aimed to evaluate the conceptual understanding of PA among personnel of the faculty in order to improve the quality of the system. Methods: The study was performed form October, 2003 to February, 2004. Representatives (561) of all departments/divisions of the faculty were included in this study. They were classified into two groups: those who had previously attended the PA workshop and those who had never attended such a workshop. A questionnaire and direct interview were used as methods of evaluation. The questionnaire and the topics of the interview included general information of each personnel, questions regarding the concept of PA, his or her opinion on the PA form used by the Human Resource Department (HRD) and suggestions or comments on the PA system. Results were compared between the two groups and were then used as a guideline for the HRD to improve the performance appraisal system. Results: The majority of the personnel of the faculty (both the evaluator and those who were evaluated) understood the concept of PA, except for some who were non-skilled or low-skilled workers. However, they were not clear about some technical details and most of them were questioned about the impact of the system. Twenty-nine departments/divisions asked for a PA workshop and 33 needed more explanation either on the concept or the details of the PA system. Conclusion: PA was accepted as the system of performance appraisal in the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital. However, the key success factor is the participation of all personnel and the HRD has to put in more effort in terms of conducting workshops or department/division visits before significant success can be achieved.

The attitude of chronically ill patients and personnel of Siriraj Hospital to a recreational therapy service.

A study of the attitudes of 507 patients with chronic illnesses and 961 personnel working with these patients towards a recreational activity service was performed using a questionnaire. Most of them agreed that the hospital should arrange recreational activity for patients with chronic illnesses in addition to physical treatment (95.6, 99.0 percent of patient and personnel groups respectively). Both groups evaluated the benefit of recreational activity with a score of 7.93 ฑ 2.09 and 8.71 ฑ 1.42. Activities ranked first were reading books, watching television or a video, gardening and singing/listening to music. Concerning health professionals willingness to join these activities, 80% of the nurse group (registered nurses and practical nurses) were willing to do so whereas only 51.4 percent of the doctor group were available due to different working styles. Most of the personnel accepted that the recreational therapist should be the one who arranges this service. Both groups agreed that a recreational activity service should be free of charge (45.2-51.4 percent). From the results of this study, we can conclude that patients and personnel appreciate a recreational activity service for chronically ill patients, so we should develop and distribute this service to patients in order to improve their quality of life and the quality of our service.