Essentials of Healthcare Management: Cases, Concepts, and Skills, Second Edition

Healthcare managers are tasked with ensuring an organization’s mission is carried out, its goals are achieved, and its work is of high quality. Essentials of Healthcare Management: Cases, Concepts, and Skills provides a solid foundation for developing the skills managers need to help move their organization forward.

This introductory book is for those preparing for entry- or midlevel healthcare management jobs. Aligned with the competency categorization developed by the Healthcare Leadership Alliance, it provides a knowledge base and develops aptitude in interpersonal skills such as leadership, professionalism, communication, and teamwork, as well as in business skills such as finance, human resources management, strategy, and marketing.

The book is rich with compelling case studies depicting true events and situations. Every chapter opens with a case study to promote experiential learning and to anchor the chapter’s subsequent coverage of theories and concepts. Examples include “Resisting Change,” “Strange Behavior,” “The Ethics Committee,” and “A Longer Than Necessary Hospitalization.” Wrapping up every chapter, mini-case studies such as “MedMan and Its Cultural Climate,” “What Do We Do About Joe?,” and “Developing the Budget for the Dialysis Center” give students the opportunity to apply the theories and concepts covered. Each major part of the book is introduced with a longer case study that instructors can use to highlight the significance of the material addressed in the part’s chapters. End-of-chapter questions and exercises are equally well suited for in-class discussion or team assignments.

Originally published as Essential Techniques for Healthcare Managers, this book has been extensively revised. All chapters have been significantly rewritten and updated. Particularly notable are enhancements to the coverage of strategy and marketing, operations, quality, and health information technology. The following chapters are entirely new and provide context and background for the subsequent chapters that address interpersonal and business skills:

• A Brief History of the Development of Healthcare in America
• Health Policy: Cost, Quality, and Access
• The Healthcare System Today
• Medical and Healthcare Environments

Blending theory and practical applications, Essentials of Healthcare Management equips future leaders with the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to be successful healthcare managers.

About the Author

Leigh W. Cellucci, PhD, MBA, is professor and associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Allied Health Sciences at East Carolina University (ECU). She serves on the board of directors and executive committee of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA). She previously served as professor and program director for the health services management program at ECU and for the healthcare administration program at Idaho State University. She has coauthored three books on healthcare administration and has published more than 45 articles and chapters on healthcare management, leadership, professionalism and ethics, and health information technology.

Michael R. Meacham, JD, MPH, is associate professor in the Department of Healthcare Leadership and Management at the Medical University of South Carolina and serves on the board of directors and executive committee of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA). Previously, he served as director of health system development for Connecticut’s Office of Health Care Access, as vice president for integrated health services at Eastern Connecticut Health Network, and as associate professor and director of the master of health administration (MHA) program at The Pennsylvania State University. He was also elected to serve in the Kansas House of Representatives for four terms and was a fellow of the Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education. He serves as a consultant to MHA programs on the accreditation process and advises healthcare organizations and leaders on strategic planning, health policy, career development, and change-oriented leadership. He is the author of a professional development book, coauthor of two healthcare management textbooks, and editor of a recently published history of AUPHA.

Tracy J. Farnsworth, EdD, MHSA, MBA, FACHE, is the founding president of the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine at Idaho State University (ISU). He serves on the board of directors of AUPHA. He is also an associate professor of healthcare administration and associate dean for the College of Business at ISU. Previously, during a 23-year career in hospital and healthcare administration, he served in various executive-level positions. He has written and spoken widely on subjects related to hospital and health system performance improvement, US health system reform, healthcare leadership and governance, medical education, and interprofessional education and collaboration.