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The short answer is, “We need a collaborative because we are all short of time.” Revising a course is a lot of work, especially when it must be done on the fly—while teaching to several dozen students. Developing a library of teaching resources will save us all time.

A somewhat longer answer is, “Because it will help our students do a better job.” Our graduates need to apply “best practice”, the tools and concepts documented in excellent HCOs. These HCOs are learning organizations that use evidence-based management, measuring and continuously improving performance. Our students need to know how to work in that environment. As instructors, we need to teach that environment. We must also implement it in the classroom, assessing student performance and using the assessment to improve our own performance.

Here are some critical questions where we need better evidence:

1. At the close of term, how many students have shown:
   1. That they can explain and justify balanced scorecards at the corporate and first line operating levels?
   2. That they understand the principles and application of servant leadership and can respond to realistic situations in ways that reinforce empowerment?
   3. That they can identify the correct membership for a variety of performance improvement teams, write a clear charge, and support the team with information that will identify root causes?
   4. That they can reassure a young physician or nurse practitioner that privileging is easy to maintain and important for their practice, and that patient management guidelines will improve their efficiency and their patient satisfaction?
   5. That they can explain why all documented high performing HCOs expect managers to have the skills indicated in questions a through d?
2. After graduation, how many graduates:
   1. Win unqualified approval in their first professional employment?
   2. Can document substantial achievements at years 5 and 10 of their careers?
   3. Enjoy their jobs and will recommend the profession to others?

I suggest that the real #1 program (as opposed to the US News rankings) is the one that can document solid answers to those eight questions, and more like them.

The long answer is, “We need some tools that can develop our students’ skills, and some measures that will allow us to evaluate and improve those skills. Those tools are not easy to build. We need to collaborate to build them and test them.”