This study aims to determine whether public and private hospital executives have knowledge of strategic management tools, what strategic management tools they use, to what extent they are satisfied with these tools and what tools they consider using in the future. The research data were collected via a survey form through face-to-face meetings. The research results generally indicate that private hospital executives use many more strategic management tools than public hospital executives. Moreover, the great majority of strategic management tools tend to be used more by executive directors, who have received training in strategic management and those who perceive themselves as being in a competition. This study indicates that the hospital executives who participated in the study do not have sufficient knowledge of the strategic management tools that constitute the basis of strategic management practices. Therefore, hospital executives should be trained in effective use of strategic management. In particular, former doctors turned medical executives who have not received training on management should be provided with appropriate knowledge of strategic management tools through in-service trainings and various courses, certification programmes and seminars. This will increase their use and understanding of these tools.