Healthcare delivery is undergoing a transformation; according to McKinsey, the healthcare marketplace is focusing more on patients’ entire health journey, with particular attention paid to improved affordability and access to quality care. Implementing the changes required to facilitate this shift will require well-trained management professionals with specialized business and industry knowledge.
Healthcare Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs can equip aspiring healthcare leaders with the business and industry expertise needed to implement essential change. The online MBA in Healthcare Management program at Case Western Reserve University pairs business and healthcare instruction to prepare future leaders to forge tomorrow’s healthcare delivery systems, and it does so in a minimally disruptive way, enabling students to learn remotely without disrupting their professional lives. Continue reading to learn more.
Build Business Skills to Impact the Healthcare Industry
Pursue Your Healthcare MBA at Case Western Reserve
Understanding the Role of Healthcare Leaders
As the healthcare industry evolves and expands, so will the demand for qualified leaders. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment of medical and healthcare services managers will increase by 28% over the next decade, resulting in 55,000 new job openings annually.
Popular healthcare management careers include:
- Hospital CEO: Chief executive officers (CEOs) oversee hospital administration, management and long-term strategy while spearheading fundraising.
- Medical practice manager: These administrators execute operational, administrative and financial responsibilities.
- Healthcare financial manager: Financial managers plan, report and analyze company finances. They also focus on the impact of healthcare spending on patient care and healthcare institutions’ financial health.
- Healthcare consultant: Consultants advise organizations on multiple aspects of healthcare operations, including technology, compliance, patient care, operations and business development.
Designed for the Industry: How One Healthcare MBA Prepares Leaders
Healthcare professionals need strong management acumen to drive positive patient outcomes, irrespective of their role. An online MBA in Healthcare Management can equip future healthcare leaders with the requisite skills and knowledge for success. The CWRU program trains new and existing healthcare professionals to create effective systems that adapt to industry changes and elevate patient care.
Vice president of medical affairs and staff development at Penn State and CWRU alumni, James Leaming, MD, shares, “This MBA has provided me with a background in everything from budgetary limitations to the future of technologies that may impact healthcare to the pressures put on payers in the healthcare system.”
The online MBA in Healthcare Management at CWRU targets five key focus areas, described below.
Navigating Healthcare Policy and Regulation
Complex regulations and policies govern the U.S. healthcare system. Healthcare organizations hire leaders to navigate these constraints while addressing systemic challenges and maintaining sustainable systems.
Healthcare leaders must stay abreast of new and changing compliance laws and legislative activity. Issues leaders may face include alternative payment models, cost-to-value narratives and care delivery. Many healthcare MBA programs incorporate healthcare regulation courses that build policy and critical-thinking skills to address these challenges. The online MBA in Healthcare Management program at CWRU features a course on regulatory compliance focusing on health law and regulations governing healthcare professionals and insurers.
Embracing Technological Advancements in Healthcare
Emerging technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence) are changing how the industry delivers healthcare. From automating administrative tasks to democratizing medical knowledge and improving health records management, AI may dramatically improve patient experiences. Future healthcare leaders must learn how to leverage technology while being aware of the risks; AI, in particular, could perpetuate bias and inequality in patient care.
Top healthcare MBA programs can guide future leaders toward better patient outcomes using technology while acknowledging the risks. The online MBA in Healthcare Management at CWRU offers courses on using technology in healthcare, including “Digital Innovation in Healthcare” and “AI in Healthcare.”
Enhancing Quality and Safety in Patient Care
Patient safety is crucial in any healthcare setting. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines patient safety as “the absence of preventable harm to a patient and reduction of risk of unnecessary harm associated with healthcare to an acceptable minimum.” Various factors can contribute to patient harm, including system and organizational issues, human behavior and technological issues.
Healthcare leaders and administrators drive quality and safety improvements to ensure their organizations meet customer expectations. The online healthcare MBA at CWRU teaches students how to enhance patient care quality and safety; “Lean Operations in Healthcare Systems” focuses on how healthcare professionals can meet expectations, identify errors in service and troubleshoot issues.
Creating a Positive Organizational Culture
Creating a positive organizational culture is vital in healthcare environments. The industry experiences high degrees of staff burnout and mental health challenges; in 2022, 46% of healthcare workers reported feeling burnt out often or very often.
Healthcare management MBA programs typically feature coursework on fostering a positive organizational culture. The online program at CWRU prioritizes hands-on learning while focusing on this topic. Students attend an in-person residency focused on culture in healthcare. During the three-day experience, students connect with top Cleveland health systems leaders to learn how to build positive work environments.
Leveraging Data Analytics for Informed Decision-Making
In the age of AI and big data, leaders must analyze, gain insights from and leverage data to improve organizational performance. Data analytics is crucial in many MBA programs. The online MBA at CWRU covers data analytics skills such as statistics, quantitative methods and decision modeling. The core curriculum also incorporates financial analysis of complex healthcare systems, clinical intervention evaluations and public health policy.
Pursue a Business Degree Designed in the Context of Healthcare
Are you interested in a healthcare leadership career? A healthcare MBA program can strengthen your business skills and knowledge in the context of an intricate, evolving industry. The online MBA in Healthcare Management at CWRU combines interactive live class sessions with self-paced modules, enabling you to study anywhere on your own schedule.
CWRU teaches students how to create new systems, optimize processes and minimize operational disruptions to improve organizational efficiency and patient experience. The program is primarily online; students gain hands-on experience through two in-person residencies. During these experiences, you can connect with healthcare leaders from the Cleveland Clinic, the Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, MetroHealth Medical Center and university hospitals.
If you’re ready for the next step in your healthcare management career, contact an enrollment advisor to learn more about the CWRU MBA in Healthcare Management, or start your application today.