Supic, Zorica Terzic (15840732000)Zorica Terzic (15840732000)SupicBjegovic, Vesna (6602428758)Vesna (6602428758)BjegovicMarinkovic, Jelena (7004611210)Jelena (7004611210)MarinkovicMilicevic, Milena Santric (57209748201)Milena Santric (57209748201)MilicevicVasic, Vladimir (32467486300)Vladimir (32467486300)Vasic2025-06-122025-06-122010https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2010.01.002https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-77952885585&doi=10.1016%2fj.healthpol.2010.01.002&partnerID=40&md5=f2a29360d2be1347bb44618de2fb810ahttps://remedy.med.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/10324Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze the improvement of managerial skills of hospitals' top managers after a specific management training programme, and to explore possible predictors and relations. Methods: The study was conducted during the years 2006 and 2007 with cohort of 107 managers from 20 Serbian general hospitals. The managers self-assessed the improvement in their managerial skills before and after the training programme. Results: After the training programme, all managers' skills had improved. The biggest improvement was in the following skills: organizing daily activities, motivating and guiding others, supervising the work of others, group discussion, and situation analysis. The least improved were: applying creative techniques, working well with peers, professional self-development, written communication, and operational planning. Identified predictors of improvement were: shorter years of managerial experience, type of manager, type of profession, and recognizing the importance of the managerial skills in oral communication, evidence-based decision making, and supervising the work of others. Conclusions: Specific training programme related to strategic management can increase managerial competencies, which are an important source of competitive advantage for organizations. © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.Hospital managementKnowledgeManagement learningManagement trainingManagerial skillsPredictors