RISK PROPENSITY AND CLINICAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN PLATEAU STATE

Abstract

A relatively low number of entrepreneurs who pursue innovation, retain their services within the private healthcare practice. A fewer number of health practitioners take the risk to venture into clinical entrepreneurship despite the overwhelming need for innovation in the approach to mental health practice. Thus, this study was aimed at examining the influence of risk propensity (risk tolerance and risk aversion) on clinical entrepreneurship in Plateau State. Using sample of 191 from two hospitals in Plateau State (Jos University Teaching Hospital and Vom Christian Hospital) from a population of 222, comprising medical doctors, clinical psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists and nurses, the study collected data using primary sources (questionnaires). Items on the questionnaire were adapted from (Liñán & Chen, 2009; Meertens & Lion, 2008). Using logistic regression, the study analyzed collected data and found that risk tolerance significantly influences clinical entrepreneurship. However, risk aversion did not have any significant influence on clinical entrepreneurship. The study recommends that all disciplines within the healthcare services should be introduced to basic studies in entrepreneurship and business management as this will improve their skills in clinical entrepreneurship by enhancing their risk tolerance.