Applied Problem-Solving in Healthcare Management

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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

Sandra Potthoff, PhD is a retired Professor from the University of South Florida, Tampa, where she served as the Chair of the Department of Health Policy and Management.

Justine Mishek, MHA is an experienced graduate education lecturer and healthcare management consultant. Ms. Mishek currently serves as Senior Lecturer for the University of Minnesota Masters of Healthcare Administration Program and is a part of the Program Leadership Team.

Gregory Hart, MHA is a principal with CliftonLarsenAllen (CLA) where he serves in the healthcare consulting practice and an alumni of the University of Minnesota MHA Program. Mr. Hart has more than 40 years of experience in healthcare leadership and management. Before joining CLA in 1995 he served as CEO for the University of Minnesota Health System, an academic medical center. Mr. Hart is a Senior Fellow at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health.