HCAD 660: Healthcare Institutional Organization and Management Discussion 2 Questions –
Instructions: Please answer using your own words in a minimum of 250, maximum 300 words (2-3 paragraphs). PER QUESTION 6 in total. Referenced with two (3) peer-reviewed journal articles or qualified text publish within the past five years and follow APA Manual 6th or 7th editions scholarly writing guidelines. APA in-text Citation formatting is required. When writing replies, please provide your experiences, new ideas, add probing questions to engage readers and new literature on the topic to enhance the learning opportunity.
Lecture: Your ability to demonstrate critical thought, in discussions and in all papers, is essential.
To avoid debate about which model is best, we will be using Bloom’s Taxonomy Revised for this course:
Please read the course material (grading rubric) and if you have further questions please do more research using your browser/library.
Discuss:
- What are the pros and cons to this approach to learning about healthcare?
- Is this consistent with how you’ve learned in the past?
- Have you used other models of critical thinking?
Although you are here as a student, the role of healthcare executive includes mentoring and teaching.
Aligning Motivations: Possible Approaches to a Better System
We must create learning environments that let students draw on the internal resources that brought them to college in the first place. As instructors, we must focus our attention on creating an environment where students can gain knowledge and skills in critical thinking and problem solving in their chosen areas of learning
Questions:
2.1. Critical Thinking and Blooms Taxonomy Revised
- What are the pros and cons to this approach to learning about healthcare?
- Is this consistent with how you’ve learned in the past?
- Have you used other models of critical thinking?
2.2. The Evolution of Ages: Agrarian to Industrial to Information
How has the societal changes from an Agrarian (Farming) to Industrial to Service and Information Societies enabled changes to the US Health Care System? Discuss the connection and evolution between the past and the potential for the future of the US Health Care System.
Healthcare has evolved from the farming (Agrarian) culture of 150 years ago to the modern Information Age. Healthcare has changed with the society, the people’s expectations, technology, regulatory environment, and the socio-economic status of this nation’s citizens.
2.3. Organizational Charts? Post the Organizational Chart from the organization you selected. Drawing from relevant reference materials, discuss how the structure of this organization impacts its operations. What direct connection does the organizational structure have with the outcomes/products/services provided?
2.4 To Be or Not to Be (Part of a System)…
Consider the operational environment of your selected organization. Is it a standalone entity, or part of a vertically or horizontally integrated system? What are the advantages or disadvantages of these various structures? Can one organization be “everything to everybody” or is it better to specialize? How do your findings relate to the formation of ACOs?
2.5 High Performing Organizations
What does high performance mean? Drawing from relevant reference materials, define high performance and what constructs/topics/areas are important to determine if a health organization is ‘high performing?’ Then identify two different high performing health care organizations and discuss how each has addressed the criteria for high performance.
2.6. Quality Reporting
Should hospitals be required to post a “Scorecard” indicating the number of days since a reportable error or other outcome statistics?
Pros? Cons?
Would it improve outcomes by transparency? Is there value to comparing outcomes for a rural critical access hospital, an inner city safety net facility, and an affluent suburban medical center?
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
The healthcare industry is complex and multi-faceted, requiring students to develop critical thinking skills in order to effectively navigate its challenges. As a medical professor, it is important to design assignments and assessments that promote the development of these skills. In this discussion, we will explore various aspects of healthcare management and organization.
2.1. Critical Thinking and Bloom’s Taxonomy Revised:
Pros to the approach of utilizing Bloom’s Taxonomy Revised in healthcare education include its structured approach to learning, which can facilitate better retention of information and provide a clear framework for critical thinking. Conversely, Bloom’s Taxonomy Revised may restrict creativity and limit students’ ability to approach problems in unique ways. Personally, I have used other models of critical thinking, such as Paul and Elder’s Universal Intellectual Standards, which prioritize deeper analysis and evaluation of information.
2.2. The Evolution of Ages: Agrarian to Industrial to Information:
As society has evolved from an Agrarian culture to an Information Age, the US healthcare system has adapted to meet changing expectations, technological advancements, and regulatory requirements. The shift towards a service-based economy has placed increased emphasis on preventative care and patient education, and the proliferation of healthcare technology has enabled remote patient monitoring and instant patient data access. The future potential of the US healthcare system depends on continued innovation in these areas, as well as finding solutions to improve access and affordability.
2.3. Organizational Charts:
The structure of an organization directly impacts its operations and the outcomes it produces. For example, a hierarchical organizational structure may result in slower communication and decision-making processes, while a flatter structure may promote greater collaboration and innovation. In examining an organization’s chart, it is important to consider how each department or division interacts with one another and whether there are any opportunities for improved efficiencies.
2.4 To Be or Not to Be (Part of a System):
Whether an organization is standalone or part of a larger system can impact its ability to effectively serve its patients and stakeholders. While specialization may enable an organization to provide more targeted services and cater to specific patient populations, it also limits its ability to serve a broad range of needs. The formation of Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) seeks to address some of these challenges by promoting collaboration and shared accountability among healthcare providers.
2.5 High Performing Organizations:
High performance in healthcare organizations is characterized by exceptional patient outcomes, operational efficiency, and financial sustainability. Key topics and constructs include patient satisfaction, quality of care, safety, cost reduction, and innovation. Two organizations that exemplify these traits are Kaiser Permanente, which utilizes an integrated care model to provide comprehensive services to its patients, and the Mayo Clinic, which places a strong emphasis on evidence-based care and research.
2.6. Quality Reporting:
Requiring hospitals to post a “Scorecard” of outcomes statistics could promote transparency and accountability, but may also create undue pressure to prioritize these metrics over other important aspects of patient care. Additionally, comparing outcomes across hospitals with differing patient populations, resources, and specialties may not provide an accurate assessment of their relative performance. Overall, greater transparency in quality reporting can be beneficial, but it should be carefully balanced against other considerations.
