File:The relationship between perceived current and required communication capabilities of senior Navy Medical Department executives (IA therelationshipb1094530898).pdf

This thesis provides the analyses and identifies any gaps, or deltas between the communication requirement and the corresponding level of communication capability of senior Navy medical executives. This delta varies according to several variables. These variables are an individual's health care community, rank, organizational position, gender, level of education. DoN short course and DoD postgraduate training, and years in a managerial position. The results reveal a consistent gap between the respondents' current communications capabilities and their perceived required capabilities. This gap is evident across all communication skill related questions which indicates that the current communications capabilities of senior Navy medical executives consistently fail to meet the reported required level of skill for the position. Specifically, the analysis showed that Dentists have statistically significant gaps between communication skill levels in delivering oral presentations and conducting meetings effectively. Additionally, Females shows statistically significant gaps between communication skill levels in managing conflict, writing effectively, and building and maintaining working support relationships outside the organization. The analysis also indicated that DoN short course training and statistically significant effect among Physicians, Directors, Department Heads, and Operations Officers who had attended the short course training.