DCssion

Strategic Management: Using the Past and Present to Inform the Future

Module 1

Strategic management concepts have been employed within healthcare organizations only in the past 25 to 30 years. Prior to this time, individual healthcare organizations had few incentives to employ strategic management because typically they were independent, freestanding, not-for-profit institutions, and health services reimbursement was on a cost-plus basis.

An active discussion is the key to an interesting and engaging online course. Discussion in this course is designed to simulate a classroom discussion. As others join in the discussion, you should read what has already been posted and continue with the discussion from there. We will go through the questions one at a time, moving on to the next question once we have fully explored the current question. I will guide you through the discussions.

The modules in this course are one week in length. Time goes quickly, so remember to post early! Get in the habit of checking the discussions as often as you can to see what others have posted and to respond. The earlier in the week that you begin posting, the deeper the conversation and learning will be.

Let’s start with a reflective question based on your experiences, any prior learning, and/or opinion.

In your opinion, in this current age of rising costs and increasing demands for quality in health care, do you feel that health systems are equipped to address these pressing issues? Why or why not?

Now applying what you have learned from the readings, let’s go through the rest of the discussion together, one question at a time. I will guide us through.

Please describe strategic management in the healthcare industry as you see it today. How has it changed in the past decade, in general and in terms of major activities of strategic management?

How do you see the role of leadership in strategy development? Please feel free to describe an example from your professional life.

Please speculate together on possible future changes to strategic management through 2025. Be sure to consider the role of leaders in the field as you discuss this question.

Consult the Discussion Posting Guide for information about writing your discussion posts. Be sure to check your work and correct any spelling or grammatical errors before you post it. When you are ready to post, click on the "Reply" button for a new thread or "Reply" beneath an existing post to respond to the post. Then, copy/paste the text from your document into the message field, and click "Post Reply."

Evaluation

Please read the latest Health Sciences Discussion Rubric  

Download Health Sciences Discussion Rubric

and the new Health Sciences Discussion Guidance. These documents lay out the basis for how you should engage in discussions and how you will be evaluated. Discussions are worth 30% of your final grade.

 

Participation in this discussion assesses the following module outcome:

Discover why strategic management has become crucial in today’s dynamic healthcare environment. (CO 1)

Examine the benefits of strategic management for healthcare organizations. (CO 1)

Explain the links between the different levels of strategy within an organization. (CO 1)

Describe the various leadership roles of strategic management. (CO 1)