Applied Problem-Solving in Healthcare Management is a practical textbook devoted to developing and strengthening problem-solving and decision-making leadership competencies of healthcare administration students and healthcare management professionals. Built upon the University of Minnesota Master of Healthcare Administration Program's Problem-Solving Method, the text describes the ""never assume"" mindset and the structured method that drive evidence-based, action-oriented problem-solving. The ""never assume"" mindset requires healthcare leaders to understand themselves and their stakeholders, and to engage in waves of divergent and convergent thinking. This structured method guides the problem solver through the phases of defining, studying, and acting on complex interrelated organizational problems that involve multiple root causes. The book also describes how the Problem-Solving Method is complementary to quality improvement methods and can be used in healthcare organizations along with Lean, Design Thinking, and Human Centered Design.Providing step-by-step instruction including useful tips, tools, activities, and case studies, this effective resource demonstrates the utility of the method for all types of health organization settings including health systems, hospitals, clinics, population health, and long-term care. For students taking health management, capstone, and experiential learning courses, including internship and residency projects, this book allows them to test and apply their problem-solving and decision-making skills to real-world situations. Beyond the classroom, it is an indispensable resource for organizations seeking to enhance the problem-solving skills of their workforce. The authors of the text have nearly 75 years of combined experience in healthcare management, leadership, and professional consulting, and teaching and advising healthcare administration students in classrooms, on student capstone, internship and residency projects, and case competitions. Synthesizing their expertise, this text serves as a guide for those who wish to strengthen their problem-solving abilities to systematically identify, analyze, study, and solve pressing organizational challenges in healthcare settings. Key Features: Describes a mindset and a structured problem-solving method that builds leadership competencies Encourages a step-by-step problem-solving approach to define, study, and act on problems to drive action-oriented solutions Supports experiential learning and coaching for students and professionals early in their careers, applicable especially to healthcare management, capstone, and student consulting courses, internship and residency projects, case competitions, and professional development in organizations Compares the Problem-Solving Method to other complementary methods used in many healthcare organizations, including Lean, Design Thinking, and Human Centered Design Includes access to the fully downloadable eBook as well as ancillary materials such as Instructor's Manual and Sample Syllabi
Part I: The Mindset and Method for Problem-Solving Chapter 1: The Problem Isn't Always What It Seems Chapter 2: The Problem-Solving Method Chapter 3: Comparison of Problem-Solving Methods Chapter 4: Management and Leadership Competencies of the Problem-Solving Method Part II: Practice the Define Phase Overview of Parts II, III, IV Chapter 5: Practice Define Step D1: Situation and Scope Chapter 6: Practice Define Step D2: Stakeholders, Difficulties and Problem Areas Chapter 7: Practice Define Step D3: Issue Statements and Problem Statement Chapter 8: Define Phase Activity Key Part III: Practice the Study Phase Chapter 9: Practice Study Step S1: Root Causes and Alternative Solutions Chapter 10: Practice Study Step S2: Decision Criteria, Research, and Findings Chapter 11: Practice Study Step S3: Conclusions Chapter 12: Study Phase Activity Key Part IV: Practice the Act Phase Chapter 13: Practice Act Step A1: Recommendations and Milestones Chapter 14: Practice Act Step A2: Communication Strategy and Consensus Building Chapter 15: Practice Act Step A3: Implementation and Monitoring Chapter 16: Act Phase Activity Key Part V: Problem-Solving Cases Overview of Part V Chapter 17: Operations and Quality Cases Chapter 18: Strategic Healthcare Cases Chapter 19: Population Health Cases Chapter 20: Long Term Care Cases
