Appendix C12

Middle States Outcomes Assessment 1999

Department or Program: Health Services Administration

Goals

Educational objectives for the HSA program are based on the criteria of the Association of University Programs in Health Services Administration. Preparation for successful careers in health services management. Conceptual and technical competence in functional areas of management. Acquire managerial skills that are essential to successful careers in the field Acquire a comprehensive understanding of the organization, financing and delivery of health services. Develop essential practical experience that integrates the skills and knowledge developed in earlier courses.

G.C.P. Correlation

Writing: Related to Objective One on the importance of communication skills in a liberal arts foundation, and the HSA curriculum.

Reason : Related to Objective One which include critical thinking as an essential aspect of a liberal arts foundation for HSA students.

Reflexive Thinking: Related to Objective Five on case studies and internships, as both require students to evaluate and integrate the skills and knowledge developed in earlier required courses.

Quantitative Problem Solving- Related to Objective Two. Competence in functional areas of management includes technical competence in quantitative problem solving which, in turn, is developed in several required courses.

Scientific Reasoning: is essential to developing competence in functional areas of management (Objective Two); in acquiring a comprehensive understanding of health economics, finance and health systems and policy (Objective Four); and in the analysis of case studies (Objective Five).

Socio-Ethical Understanding: is promoted in all aspects of the program, but is especially related to Objective Five. Case studies and the required internship are especially important

Means of Assessment

The overall value of the program should be reflected in alumni assessments, graduate educational experiences, and successful careers in Health Services Administration. Alumni Assessment Survey; Health Services Administration Advisory Panel Assessment: Student portfolios include: a research paper from a required upper-division course, the learning contract, final Paper, and supervisors evaluation for HA 377: Health Administration Internship; Student participation in case studies and internships.

In the Spring, 1998, an alumni questionnaire was completed by 56 of the 105 graduates identified by the Alumni Office. Survey questions were designed to assess each of the goals above. In Spring 1999, an external advisory panel made up of practicing health administrators from area hospitals, HMOs, and other health institutions, and chaired by faculty from the graduate program in HSA at Cornell will assess the program performance to date, and make recommendation for improvement and expansion. Results will be available in two stages: The first report, on January 29, 1999, will summarize results for all program objectives from the Alumni Survey. The second report, on April 15, 1999, will summarize the results for all program objectives from the external advisory panel assessment, and provide detailed recommendations for strengthening and expanding the program.

Outcomes

In general, most alumni (70%) are satisfied with their career, and believe that the program did well in preparing them for their career (60-70%). Among those who went on for graduate education, most (60+%) believe their undergraduate education did well in preparing them.

Many areas of the program were rated as effective by all alumni groups, including the following:

LIBERAL ARTS FOUNDATION: Communication skills, computation skills, critical thinking.

FUNCTIONAL AREAS OF MANAGEMENT: Organizational behavior and design, quality of care.

MANAGERIAL SKILLS: Interpersonal skills, leadership. ORGANIZATION, FINANCING, AND DELIVERY: Organization of services, access to care, health economics.

INTERNSHIPS: Practical experience.

On the other hand, several areas of the program, especially those related to functional areas of management, were not seen as effective by alumni, and should be carefully reviewed by both program faculty and the external assessment committee. These include: FUNCTIONAL AREAS OF MANAGEMENT: accounting, statistics, computer literacy, human resources, marketing.

MANAGERIAL SKILLS: Strategic management ORGANIZATION, FINANCING AND DELIVERY: health professions, health finance.

Uses

Program objectives; Curriculum; Internships; ;Staffing; Educational Resources.