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College of Health and Human Services

School of Health Sciences

Health Administration Program

Winter Term 2016

HLAD 425:  Decision Making – Health Administration

Section ID # 24068

Tuesday, 5:30 to 8:20 p.m.

Location:  219 Pray-Harrold  [246 Pray Harrold for breakout]

Instructor:                 Beverly Mihalko, PhD, MPH

                        206A Marshall 

                        bmihalko@emich.edu (best)

                        734-487-2072

Office Hours:            Monday1:00 pm-5:00 pm, Tues & Wed. 4:00-5:00 pm or by appointment

Please Note:  Two sections of HLAD 425 are taught at the same time.  Both sections will meet together for the first hour and a half of each class session.   In the second half of the class session, sections will breakout into separate rooms. Student attendance is required for both sessions of class to earn full participation points.

Course Description

This course will provide an overview of a variety of decision-making tools, skills and approaches, with emphasis on application in the health care setting through the analysis of case studies. In addition there will be readings and discussion of materials on theory and methods pertaining to leadership and decision-making in organizations. Visits by healthcare executives will bring a variety of real-life perspectives, challenges, and decision-making strategies into the classroom

Course Objectives

(1) To understand and master the use of the elements and process of decision making in health care management and leadership. (2) An awareness of the common pitfalls in the decision making process – for individuals and organizations.  (3) Provide students with exposure to current health administrators making “real life” decisions in order to “test” what they are learning in the classroom against the experience of seasoned executives.  (4) Through case studies, give students the opportunity to integrate and apply what they have learned in their other courses to the types of decisions they will make as future health care administrators, and to develop and refine their critical thinking skills.

Required Reading

Course Text Book: Cases in Health Services Management, Fifth Edition, Jonathon Rakich, Beaufort Longest, Kurt Darr, Baltimore: Health Professions Press, 2010.  [Students must purchase a copy of this book.]

Teaching Philosophy:

My teaching philosophy is straightforward.

1.  Students learn best by doing and taking an active role in their learning.

2.  The classroom is a dynamic learning environment involving both the professor and the student.

3.  Set the bar high and lead by example.

4.  I do not give grades, students earn them.

Course Format

Class discussion of case study materials and preparation of written “solutions” for selected cases. There will also be some additional readings on management, leadership and decision-making. Several guest executives will provide the opportunity for students to engage health care administrators in discussion of live cases and experiences.

Communication[pic 1][pic 2]

• Email is the best way to communicate with the professor. The professor generally responds to emails and phone calls within 24-hours with the exception of weekends and holiday breaks. Please include the course name & number in the subject line of email messages to facilitate a prompt response.

• Proper e-mail “etiquette” is expected for all student communications with the professor and classmates.

• Please do not e-mail me with administrative questions that can be answered by looking at the syllabus (i.e. due dates, class policy, etc). Check the syllabus first.

• Students must communicate with the professor via EMU email ONLY, per Univeristy policy. I will not respond to student email messages sent via personal email.

• Messages and announcements to students are posted in Canvas Announcements periodically regarding class activities or other course related information. Students are expected to check the Canvas Announcements and EMU email daily. It is always best to check before class in case of an emergency that requires cancellation of class.

• Meetings with the professor can be conducted during posted office hours or by appointment.

Course Assignments

Case or Assigned Reading Quizzes

To succeed in class, students should carefully read and analyze each case prior to class. To encourage students to prepare conscientiously, a quiz will be administered in class for three of the cases discussed. These quizzes will test for knowledge of the basic facts in the cases to be discussed that evening. It is critical that you do a close reading of every case [see “Case Brief” and “Preparing for Class,” below].  

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