Health Management Practices in Community Health Centers in Makassar, Indonesia

Abstract

Strengthening primary health care (PHC) requires robust health management practices that integrate quality improvement, service coordination, and evidence-informed decision-making. PHC oriented systems have been shown to deliver better health outcomes and greater efficiency when managerial and clinical functions are well aligned. This qualitative study explores health management practices in a Community Health Center in Makassar, Indonesia, with a focus on quality governance, service integration, human resource management, health information systems, and the clinical managerial interface. Data were collected through in depth interviews with five key informants representing managerial, administrative, clinical, and information system roles and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, a method widely applied in health services research. The analysis identified four main themes: quality governance anchored in accreditation and leadership commitment, primary care integration as a coordination-dependent managerial process, human resource constraints influencing clinical service quality, and health information systems as both enablers and constraints for decision-making. The findings highlight the pivotal role of physicians in bridging clinical practice and managerial decision-making. Strengthening the clinical managerial link, alongside sustained quality improvement mechanisms and integrated digital systems, is essential to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of primary health care services.