[A study of the top and middle managers knowledge and attitude on the feasibility of applying Total Quality Management in hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Science in 2009]

Managers today work in a dynamic environment. Their role in creating quality is essential. Today paying attention to the quality of goods and services is the first Paiority in heath care organizations which is in with contact peoples lives. Total Quality Management has undergone vast changes in health care management. The aim of this study is to determine the top (chief) and middle managers knowledge and attitude on the feasibility of applying Total Quality Management in hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Science in 2009. This is a descriptive - analytic research. The study population consists of top and middle mangers of Tehran University of Medical Science in 2009. For data gathering, we have used a questionnaire which consisted of 46 questions. We assessed its validity by expert team and its reliability by subsample method (CI95%). Then the data were analyzed by SPSS software. The descriptive results(consist of mean, median, mode, std deviation, variance, range, maximum and minimum) and analytical results(consist of bivariate and Pearson tests) were obtained. The total mean of the top and middle managers knowledge for TQM is 73.24% and is in good range. The total mean of the top and middle managers attitude about TQM is 79.76% and is good and near to excellent range.There is a meaningful relation between top and middle managers knowledge and attitude for TQM. In total the coordination of the top and middle managers ideas for TQM is near to the each other and is good to applying it in hospitals.Discussion and Total Quality Management is a new idea that is vital for organizations, especially for hospitals. Results of this survey show that top and middle managers knowledge and attitude are in good range but it needs promotion and continual teaching because when the knowledge and attitude change, the behavior of this managers also change and finally the behavior of all the employees in hospital will change. Also the goals of TQM that are the consent of the patients, employees and society and high quality of services will be acceptable and remain for promotion of good health in the society.