The Operational Components of a Community Hospital Experiencing a Severe Financial Crisis: A Case Study in Songkhla Province

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the confirmatory factors and examine the consistency of the structural model of operational components in a community hospital experiencing a severe financial crisis in Songkhla Province. The sample consisted of 125 hospital personnel selected through systematic random sampling from the hospital’s staff list at defined intervals. Data were collected using a self-administered online questionnaire consisting of four main components. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, path analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM).The findings revealed that the operational components of the community hospital comprised four factors ranked by factor loading from highest to lowest: 1) Strategic leadership, 2) Knowledge management, 3) Resource management, and 4) Public relations and image. The model, after adjustment, showed a good fit with the empirical data, with fit indices as follows: X² = 1.03 (df = 1, p = 0.403), GFI = 0.99, AGFI = 0.99, SRMR = 0.05, and RMSEA = 0.01. It is recommended that hospital administrators utilize the findings to improve hospital operations, beginning with enhancing knowledge management processes and reviewing operational strategies. Doing so will contribute to guiding the hospital out of its severe financial crisis and toward more sustainable management.