California State University, Chico

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

 

HCSV530                                                                                             Spring 2008

SEMINAR IN HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

Thursday, 6:00-8:50 p.m.                                                                        Butte  XXX

 

James A. Suver,M.P.H                                                                           Phone:  (916) 898-5309

Butte 627                                                                                      Home Phone:  (707) 658-1893

                                                                                           Hospital Office Phone (707-778-2632

E-mail:  jsuver@csuchico.edu or Jim.Suver@stjoe.org

FAX:  (916) 898-5107 or 893-5907

Office Hours:   Thursday, 5:00 to 6:00; or by appointment

 

1.   Scope of Course:  This course will integrate theory and practice by examining issues and solutions to problems in the management of health services organizations.  It functions as a capstone for the health services administration program, allowing students to apply coursework from across the curriculum.

 

      The class will use case studies to apply knowledge and skills to real life problems. It will also cover, in greater depth, health service organization finance and marketing, and decision making and problem solving techniques.

 

2.   Reading Materials:

·        Linda Swayne, W. Jack Duncan, Peter Ginter, Strategic Management of Healthcare Organizations, 5th Ed. (Blackwell Publishing, 2006) ["TEXT"]

·        Other cases and course material posted on WEBCT [“WT”]

 

3.   Course Format:  Classes will combine case study presentations and discussions.  There will be a few lectures, but the bulk of the class will be student presentations and discussion.

 

4.   Grading:

 

Exams

Take-home final.................................................................................................... 150

Reading quizzes (10@ 10).................................................................................. 100

 

Projects

Case study write-up and presentation (team)................................................... 300

Case study write-up and presentation (individual)............................................ 300

Case study critique and presentation................................................................. 150

 

Other

Attendance............................................................................................ 50 points lost
   for every session missed.  One excused absence will be allowed. 

 

Because this class depends on student presentations, all work must be completed on time.  No credit will be given for late work!


Grades:

A.............. 930 - 1000                             C........ 730 - 769

A-............. 900 - 929                               C-....... 700 - 729

B+............ 870 - 899                               D+...... 660 - 699

B.............. 830 - 869                               D........ 600 - 659

B-............. 800 - 829                               F......... 0 -559

C+............ 770 - 799

 

5.   Projects and Activities

 

·        Case studies: Presentation of two case studies from the TEXT book or WT and leading of class discussion of the assigned case. The first case study will be done as part of a team and the second will be done individually.  One(1) printed copy and one(1) electronic copy (via e-mail) of the case study write-up are due at the class prior to the class at which the case will be presented and discussed.

·        Case study critique: Written response to a case study presented by other students.  This will be presented following the presentation of the case.

·        Reading quizzes: Most weeks (starting week #3), reading quizzes will cover the assigned case studies and assigned readings.  The reading quizzes will be done on WEBCT with access granted two days prior to the class session.

·        Take-home final: A final case study will be provided.  It will be turned in at the time of the scheduled final.

This syllabus includes descriptions of each of the assignments.  Students should ensure that submitted papers include all of the required items and comply with the specifications listed in Section 9, below.

·        Readings: Students are expected to have read the assigned readings by the date indicated on the course schedule. Everyone must read all of the case studies. 


·        Class Participation: Attendance is expected.  Participation means more than being present in class.  The bulk of this class is focused on discussion of the case studies.  Students are expected to actively participate in class activities and discussions.

6.   Confidentiality:  During this course, the instructor, guest speakers, or students may share information regarding specific organizations or individuals.  Such information should be treated as confidential and not discussed outside of the classroom.  If you are in doubt regarding the confidentiality of any information, consult the instructor.

7.   Students must ensure that appropriate credit is given for all materials.  Ideas taken from other persons must be properly cited.  Any direct quote must be enclosed in quotation marks and must be cited.

8.   You should be aware that this class will be harder than most classes that you have taken.  Assignments should be of the same quality that is expected of an employee in a professional position in the health care field.  That means that grammar and spelling will be considered in grading assignments.  It means that due dates and project specifications are taken seriously.  It means that attendance is expected.

9.   Written papers:  All papers turned in for this course must comply with the following requirements:

·           Use 81/2" x 11" paper, with one-inch margins on all sides

·           Papers should be typed, with all text, including quotes, double-spaced

·           Do not use covers or cover pages

·           Use a readable font with 10 characters to the inch (not 10 pitch)

·           Do not exceed the maximum length for the assignment.

·           Papers should be free of typographical and spelling errors and should be grammatically correct.

10.  Presentations:  The presentations that you make in this class must comply with the following:

·           Presentations should cover the same area as the paper, but should not be just a reading of the written paper

·           Dress professionally

·           Be prepared to respond to questions from the instructor and the class

·           Do not exceed the maximum time for the presentation

·           Use appropriate visual aids (e.g.,power points) and/or handouts.

 


Course Schedule and Assignments

 

NOTE:  This is a preliminary schedule.  Specific team membership, case study assignments and due dates will be determined once the size of the class is known.

 

Session/Week

Topic(s)

Assignments

1 (1/31)

·        Introduction

·        Management process/roles

·        Case study method

TEXT-Chapters 1-2

 

TEXT – Appendix A

2 (2/7)

·        Business reports

·        Case study exercise

·        Cases assigned

TEXT-Chapters 3-4

Finance Case-WEBCT

3 (2/14)

·        Financial statements

·        Cash flow review

·        Cost and cost behavior

·        Budgeting

TEXT-Chapter 5

Finance Case-WEBCT

4 (2/21)

·        Evaluation

·        Capital Project Analysis

TEXT-Chapters 6-7

In-class case assignments

5 (2/28)

·        Execution

·        Case study exercise

TEXT-Chapter 10

Case (handout)

6 (3/6)

·        Team case studies

WT All politics, Burn Care Unit

7 (3/13)

·        Team case studies

WT Carver State, Arizona

8 (3/27)

·        Team case studies

·         

WT Rhododendron, Hospital,  Grp/Hospital Consolidation

9 (4/3)

·        Individual case studies

TEXT 1,2,3

10 (4/10)

·        Individual case studies

TEXT  4,5,6

11 (4/17)

·        Individual case studies

TEXT  7,8,9

12 (4/24)

·        Individual case studies

TEXT  10,11,12

13 (5/1)

·         

·        Individual case studies

 

TEXT 14,15, Dodge

14 (5/8)

·        Individual case studies

TEXT  16,17,18

15 (5/15)

·        Individual case studies

TEXT  19,20,Providence

16 (5/22)

FINAL DUE—Thursday 5/22

 

 

Since we will do in-class exercises from the TEXT book and WT, bring them (or copies from web ct) to class when any reading or case study is shown on the schedule.


 CASE STUDY

 

Assignment:  Two of the case studies from the "CASES" book will be assigned. Develop a paper and presentation on each.  One of these will be done as part of a project team.  A third case will be provided as a take-home final, but only a written component will be required.

A case study is a "real world" problem and you will assume that you are a manager in the organization.  You should identify the problem, develop a solution, and decide how you would implement your solution. 

Instead of the academic style used in your other papers, your written analysis should be in the form of a business report and should follow a business writing style.  Your presentation will also be a "report to your colleagues."

Your paper should be in the form of a report to your superior (as indicated by the case study).  It should be a maximum of five pages, plus a cover (transmittal) letter or memo.  In addition, attach copies of the overheads and/or handouts to be used in your presentation.  Presentations should be approximately fifteen minutes.

 

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CASE STUDY CRITIQUE

Assignment:. Each student will respond to a case study presented by other students.  The response will include a two-page written critique and a five minute presentation of the critique.  Since the presentations tend to meld into discussion, they will not be graded.

 

Content:  Your critique should:

 

1.      Identify any errors or shortcomings in the synthesis of the case and the identification of issues.

2.      Identify additional alternatives and additional information which should be considered.

3.      Analyze and critique the proposed solution, including its strengths and weaknesses.

4.      Identify and apply appropriate theories which suggest solutions to the problems found in the case.

 

 

PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CRITIQUE AND CRITICISM!  The purpose of a critique is to explore alternative responses to the situation and alternative methods of presenting the information.  These should not be personal criticisms of the presenter!