Down through the years the phrase “We live in interesting and challenging times” has been often used. For those of us in AUPHA who straddle the worlds of education and healthcare delivery management, this phrase is vey applicable to our existence today. One of the primary movers that make our professional lives interesting and challenging is the focus on outcomes and how to achieve and demonstrate them. The demand for effectiveness is increasing in both healthcare delivery and education.
Over the last number of months I can’t ever remember reading as many challenges in multiple main stream media outlets, questioning the value of post-secondary education. Clearly, as the price tag for a college degree keeps going up, people are going to question the true value of what now has become a significant investment. This evaluation obviously makes sense, especially in today’s economy. At the same time much of the still ongoing debate over healthcare reform is influenced by the amount of money the United States spends on healthcare delivery. Very integral to this debate is concomitant questioning about and attempted evaluation of outcomes. In short in both venues, higher education and healthcare delivery, the fundamental question becomes are people and the country getting what they are paying for?
For those of us in healthcare management education this question becomes a dual challenge since we have to answer to both questions. From the higher education component we need to address the issue of high tuition costs and value added, and from the healthcare delivery component we have the obligation to show that we are educating leaders who will provide an efficient and effective system. In many ways our long-term fate very well may rest on the ability to accomplish this very difficult task.
To assist our members in this challenge, AUPHA, as outlined at last year’s annual meeting, has embarked upon three strategic initiatives. Two of these initiatives: developing closer alliances with practitioners, and serving as the ultimate repository for the body of knowledge in the healthcare management field, are specifically targeted to assist programs with this challenge. By integrating our programs more closely with the field of practice and housing the latest ideas and research in healthcare management, we will be better positioned to demonstrate that our field of higher education is truly a worthwhile investment. At the same time we will hopefully be providing graduates that are leading a revised healthcare delivery system that can effectively control costs and provide expected outcomes.
What now remains is for our membership to assist the Board and Staff with this huge undertaking. As we move forward, many of you will be called upon to assist us. Please accept the invitation to assist with this crucial endeavor. Thanks.
Peter