THE ROLE OF SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT IN THE HEALTHCARE SECTOR: A CASE STUDY OF DISPENSARIES IN ELDAMA RAVINE, BARINGO COUNTY, KENYA
Abstract
Purpose of the study: Supply Chain Management continued to become an integral element in healthcare sector. Thus, the paper sought to find out the impact of supply chain management on the quality of healthcare service in dispensaries at Eldama Ravine Town.
Research Methodology: The research was conducted through a descriptive design using a survey of five dispensaries in Eldama Ravine town to identify the effect of supply chain management on quality of health services. The study employed purposive sampling to select the sample and sample elements. Structured questionnaire was used as a data collection instrument.
Findings: The majority of the respondents were males (69%), while the main age group was between 41-50 years (41.7%). Bachelor's degree holders were the largest percentage among members of the study sample with a percentage of 58.3%. In regards to experience years, the majority of the respondents were between 5-10 years. The correlation coefficient of supply chain management measurements with the quality of healthcare services was 0.5 and the Beta value was 26.2. The coefficient of determination value was found to be 0.25.
Conclusions: The research concluded there is a significant effect of supply chain management measurements on the quality of health services, but indicated a low correlation between supply chain management and the quality of health services based on demographic variables like gender, qualification, age, or experience
Recommendations: The study recommended that the management of healthcare service providers need to give emphasis to supply chain management activities in order to improve quality of healthcare services. The healthcare institutions should also recruit highly skilled and specialized personnel in the supply chain department and be trained on quality standards so that they can appropriately handle suppliers in accordance with specific technical guidelines.
Keywords: Supply chain management, quality of healthcare services, dispensaries, Eldama Ravine, Baringo, Kenya
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