This course explores the challenges and opportunities facing healthcare organizations and leaders in an age of accountable care, and examines the critical role health informatics can and should play in the strategic management of healthcare organizations. Using case-based study techniques, students explore practice and system management, strategic planning, and change leadership. Students combine this insight into health leadership with the actionable insight offered through effective health informatics and business intelligence practices, to craft optimal solutions to internal organizational processes and to external business decisions.
Weekly Discussion Posts — Each week there will be a discussion board that addresses a topic within the current module. For each discussion board, you must submit an original post and respond to at least 2 posts from your colleagues. Your original post should be at least 350 words in length. Be substantive and clear. Most of your post should be your own words and ideas; use examples from class materials and/or peer reviewed articles to support your ideas. References should be cited using APA Style.
Weekly Assignments — Case Studies and other Activities — weeks 1-3 and 5-6
Leadership Development Plan — This plan is divided into 2 parts. There are 8 sections of the plan, divided as follows:
Course Reflection — Due week 8
Week | Topic | Activities and Assignments | Dates |
1 |
Introduction to Leadership |
DuBrin: Chs. 1-2, 6 Discussion Posting Leadership Framework and Ethical Scenario |
3/1/2017 – 3/8/2017 |
2 | Types of Leadership |
DuBrin Chs 3-5 Discussion Posting Leadership Assessments |
3/8/2017 – 3/15/2017 |
3 |
Leadership Skills and Tactics |
DuBrin Chs 7-11 Discussion Posting Employee Engagement or Empowerment Case Study |
3/15/2017 – 3/22/2017 |
4 |
Strategic Leadership and Leadership Development |
DuBrin Chs 13-15 Discussion Posting Leadership Development Plan, Part I (first 4 sections) |
3/22/2017 – 3/29/2017 |
5 |
Strategic Planning Fundamentals |
Harrison Chs 3-4 Discussion Posting Case study – SWOT analysis |
3/29/2017 – 4/5/2017 |
6 |
Strategic Planning and HIT |
Harrison Chs 6-7 Discussion Posting Case study: performance management – the Coastal Medical Center exercises and questions |
4/5/2017 – 4/12/2017 |
7 |
Strategic Management for Health Systems, ACOs, and Post Acute Care |
Harrison Chs 9-11 Discussion Posting Leadership Development Plan – submit Part II and resubmit part I |
4/12/2017 – 4/19/2017 |
8 |
Strategic Management and Value |
Harrison Chs 12-13 Discussion: Reflection |
4/19/2017 – 4/23/2017 |
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Assessment Item | Possible Points | Percent of Total Grade |
---|---|---|
Weekly Assignments (5) | 60 pts - (12 pts each) | 30% |
Discussion Forums (8) | 40 pts - (5 pts each) | 20% |
Leadership Development Plan – Part I | 30 pts | 15% |
Leadership Development Plan – Final - Parts I and II | 60 pts | 30% |
Reflection | 10 pts | 5% |
Total | 200 pts | 100% |
Grade | Points Grade | Point Average (GPA) |
A | 94 – 100% | 4.00 |
A- | 90 – 93% | 3.75 |
B+ | 87 – 89% | 3.50 |
B | 84 – 86% | 3.00 |
B- | 80 – 83% | 2.75 |
C+ | 77 – 79% | 2.50 |
C | 74 – 76% | 2.00 |
C- | 70 – 73% | 1.75 |
D | 64 – 69% | 1.00 |
F | 00 – 63% | 0.00 |
Theme: Introduction to Leadership
Readings:
Video:
Learning Outcomes:
Week 1 Discussion:
Choose one or two well-known leaders as a topic for this discussion. Discuss this leader’s traits, motives, and characteristics, based on information from this week’s readings. Identify the leader’s strongest and weakest personal attributes. Is there something that you particularly admire about the leader?
Week 1 Assignment – Leadership Framework and Ethical Scenario
Healthcare organizations are under increasing financial pressures because of healthcare reform and the shift to value-based care. These organizations must seek to balance maximizing profit with serving patients and, in particular, providing charity care; a common healthcare CFO statement is: “no margin, no mission.” In addition, physicians, nurses and clinical staff are limited resources. Due to all these factors, healthcare organizations face many ethical decisions involving their business operations.
Scenario: MidWest Health is a health system of four hospitals and over 30 clinics in the region it serves. There is strong competition in its markets, and many of its competitors are actively moving into new health models such as accountable care organizations (ACOs) and patient-centered medical homes (PCMH). Because profits are under pressure, MidWest Health must now evaluate how to best use its resources. For example, should MidWest Health invest its scarce resources in areas that make high profits, but may serve a smaller number of patients? Or, alternatively should they provide basic care to a larger number of patients? There is no one set answer to these types of questions, but they do have to be addressed. An important consideration for healthcare organizations is to support good care through ethically sound policy, decision making, and processes.
Use one of the leadership frameworks from this week’s readings (e.g. NHS or NCHL) to assess the scenario and how you might handle it as a leader. Your response should include the following:
Submit your response in a 3-4 page, double spaced WORD document. Use APA format.
Theme: Types of Leadership
Readings:
Videos:
Learning Outcomes:
Week 2 Discussion:
Identify a personality trait you think would help a manager to function as a contingency leader. Why do you consider that trait an asset? In addition, identify a trait you think might detract from a manager’s ability to function as a contingency leader. Why do you consider that trait a disadvantage?
Week 2 Assignment
This week’s assignment is based on activities from the Dubrin textbook. First, complete the following leadership assessments in your text:
Then, write a 2-3 page, double spaced WORD document; in your document respond to the items below. Use APA format.
Week 3
Theme: Leadership Skills and Tactics
Readings:
Video:
Learning Outcomes:
Week 3 Discussion:
Do you agree that creativity is a legitimate part of a leader’s role? If so, what percentage of working time do you think a leader should invest in creative thinking? If you do not agree, why not? Explain your response.
Week 3 Assignment – Employee Engagement or Empowerment Case Study
Many healthcare organizations have formed or are considering forming accountable care organizations and/or clinically integrated networks. To date, only one quarter of ACOs have produced shared savings and there is industry uncertainty over the transition to value-based care. However, organizations that embrace the new models have the opportunity to gain competitive advantage, innovate, and learn through the process – with potential for longer term clinical and financial gains. Assume you are a leader of a large Independent Physician Association (IPA) that wants to transition to a clinically integrated network. Consider what changes need to be made to move forward with this initiative. Address the following areas:
Link your ideas to the class readings. Submit your response in a 2-3 page, double spaced WORD document. Use APA format.
Theme: Strategic Leadership and Leadership Development
Readings:
Video:
Learning Outcomes:
Week 4 Discussion:
Describe a recent example of revolutionary thinking by a healthcare organization. In what way was their thinking revolutionary? How were their ideas received by their employees, their public, and their competitors?
Week 4 Assignment – Leadership Development Plan, Part I
The Leadership Development Plan is designed to guide your leadership development activities over the next 12-24 months. The plan is meant to be a self-guided activity that allows for reflection and development. It is made up of 8 sections.
This week you will turn in the first half of your plan in a 3 to 4 page WORD document which is APA formatted. You will turn in the second half of the plan in week 7, along with a resubmitted first half.
Part I (sections 1-4):
1. Complete a Self-Assessment: Choose one of the self-assessments from below:
Review the results. Draft a response of 2-3 paragraphs that addresses the following:
2. Create a Life Mission Statement: A mission statement guides your long term goals and can serve to guide your development efforts, particularly in the area of leadership. Resources:
In 2-3 paragraphs, draft a mission statement, and provide a short explanation of why you selected the mission you did.
3. Master Core Skills: Consider if there are any core supervisory skills you could further develop (e.g. coaching for performance, leading meetings, hiring/firing). Draft a response of 2-3 paragraphs that addresses the following:
4. Identify Leader Role Models: Identify two leaders – one with whom you have worked and another who is well-known. You may need to research the well-known leader. Draft a response of 2-3 paragraphs that addresses the following:
Part II (Sections 5-8) will be due week 7
Theme: Strategic Planning Fundamentals
Readings:
Video:
Learning Outcomes:
Week 5 Discussion:
Provide examples of how gap analysis can be used to improve the quality of healthcare services.
Week 5 Assignment – Case Study: SWOT Analysis
Read the case study on page 110 of the Harrison textbook. Write a response in which you do the following:
Submit your response in a 2-3 page, double spaced WORD document. Use APA format.
Theme: Strategic Planning and HIT
Readings:
Video:
Learning Outcomes:
Week 6 Discussion:
What role does information play in strategic planning in healthcare? How can HIT help healthcare providers adapt to the rapidly changing healthcare environment? Provide examples of several HIT systems experiencing significant growth.
Week 6 Assignment – Case Study: performance management – the Coastal Medical Center exercises and questions
Read the the information on performance management on page 145 of the Harrison textbook. Write a response in which you do the following:
Submit your response in a 2-3 page, double spaced WORD document. Use APA format.
Theme: Strategic Management for Health Systems, ACOs, and Post Acute Care
Readings:
Video:
Learning Outcomes:
Week 7 Discussion:
How does involving physicians in the strategic planning process help a hospital reach its goals? Why is clinical integration important in the current healthcare environment?
Week 7 Assignment – Leadership Development Plan, Part II
This week you will do the second half of your plan (sections 5-8) and then submit your final leadership development plan. Final plan should include sections 1-8 and address any feedback you received on the Part I submission.
Part II (sections 5-8):
5. Find a Mentor: Draft a short mentoring plan of about one page that addresses the following:
6. Seek Challenging and Varied Experiences: What kind of jobs/tasks do you have the least experience with? Some examples: projects/taskforces, turnarounds, line management, crisis management, set up new department, big leaps in scope/scale. Select one of these experience gaps and identify 2-3 opportunities to gain that experience and timeline for completion. Provide your response in 2-3 paragraphs.
7. Schedule Training: Investigate leadership training opportunities in your organization. If resources are available, sign up for an appropriate course. Outline a plan in about 2-3 paragraphs to address the training needs you may have over the next 12-24 months. If you can’t find training opportunities through your pleasant employment, choose one of these:
8. Seek Feedback: Develop a plan for seeking feedback from your subordinates (or peers if you are not a supervisor). Draft a response of 2-3 paragraphs that addresses the following:
Theme: Strategic Management and Value
Readings:
Videos:
Learning Outcomes:
Week 8 Discussion:
Where would population health management fit in the strategic plan of a hospital, a clinic, or an integrated system? How would you go about assessing community or population needs? What HIT requirements might need to be considered?
Week 8 Assignment – Reflection
Provide a response of about 350-500 words that reflects on what we have covered in this class and your experience. Address the following key areas:
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