Abstract:
BACKGROUND : In future, the South African Department of Health aims to purchase services
from accredited private service providers. Successful private audiology practices can assist
to address issues of access, equity and quality of health services. It is not sufficient to be
an excellent clinician, since audiology practices are businesses that must also be managed
effectively.
OBJECTIVE : The objective was to determine the existing and required levels of practice
management knowledge as perceived by South African audiologists.
METHOD : An electronic descriptive survey was used to investigate audiology practice
management amongst South African audiologists. A total of 147 respondents completed the
survey. Results were analysed by calculating descriptive statistics. The Z-proportional test
was used to identify significant differences between existing and required levels of practice
management knowledge.
RESULTS : Significant differences were found between existing and required levels of
knowledge regarding all eight practice management tasks, particularly legal and ethical
issues and marketing and accounting. There were small differences in the knowledge
required for practice management tasks amongst respondents working in public and private
settings.
CONCLUSION : Irrespective of their work context, respondents showed that they need significant
expansion of practice management knowledge in order to be successful, to compete effectively
and to make sense of a complex marketplace.
