An interdisciplinary-interuniversity health care team management decision-making case study course.

An elective case study course involving graduate students from various health profession disciplines from two universities was developed in order to provide a forum for health care teams to discuss the philosophical and functional impact of situations and their alternative solutions. The case studies stressed various aspects of the decision-making process and were nonclinical/technical but health care administratively oriented in nature. Course evaluations manifest that participants from each discipline improved their problem-solving and leadership abilities, and created a cross-fertilization of knowledge and understanding of the various health care disciplines and their perspectives that each brings to the health care system.

Curricula adapt to new imperatives.

Many education programs in health administration have adapted their curricula to respond to changes in healthcare delivery today. Those responsible for curriculum development struggle with the task of determining what knowledge and skills should be stressed. In recent years some observers have perceived that healthcare institutions have placed increasing emphasis on generic management skills, paying less attention to health administration graduates' industry-specific knowledge and training in healthcare values. The Graduate Program in Hospital and Health Administration at Xavier University has attempted to balance the resources devoted to generic management skills and those committed to the development of the values and understanding of industry-specific knowledge. The administrative residency experience requires students to demonstrate defined competencies and behaviors while rotating through the organizational departments and divisions. The students receive constructive feedback on their interpersonal skills and their ability to perform specific financial and quantitative competencies. Beginning in winter 1989, the Xavier program plans to offer a weekend program designed to meet the career development needs of healthcare professionals working full time.