IMPROVING STAFF PERFORMANCE THROUGH TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT: A CASE STUDY OF RIDGE HOSPITAL, ACCRA

ABSTRACT

The  study  examined  the  improvement  of  staff  performance  through 

training  and  development  at  the  Ridge  Hospital.  The  problem  was  negative 

attitude  observed  toward  patients  by  some  of  the  nursing  staff.  The  data  were 

obtained from semi-structured interview and questionnaire (5 –  point likert scaled 

questionnaire).  The  study  design  was  a  case  study.  The  sample  for  the  study 

involved  fifty  nurses  and  ten  management  staff.  The  data  were  analyzed  using 

frequency tables and percentages

The study found that training and development needs of nursing staff were 

to improve upon staff interpersonal skills, skills and knowledge at work, acquire 

more  skills  and  new  knowledge  to  improve  output  of  work  and  gaining  more 

skills  and  knowledge  in  patients  and  diseases  management,  prevention  and 

control, also to enhance quality staff patient relationship and knowing new trends 

in  the  management  of  HIV,  malaria,  tuberculosis,  cholera,  infection  prevention 

among others and emergency and anesthesia training.

Also,  the  study  found  that  training  and  development  programmes  of 

nursing  staff  were  seminar,  understudy  training,  job  rotation,  mentorship, 

workshops, refresher courses, job orientation, conferences and special meetings.

Furthermore,  the  study  found  that  training  and  development  motivate 

nursing staff  to work harder, to adjust to new situations, to assist student nurses 

and  boost  their  morale  to  asses  and  plan  with  students  for  a  better  care  for  the 

patients. Workshops on positive attitudes toward work were considered relevant 

since training and development was not panacea for improving staff performance.