Curricula adapt to new imperatives

Many education programs in health administration have adapted their curricula to respond to changes in healthcare delivery today. Those responsible for curriculum development struggle with the task of determining what knowledge and skills should be stressed. In recent years some observers have perceived that healthcare institutions have placed increasing emphasis on generic management skills, paying less attention to health administration graduates' industry-specific knowledge and training in healthcare values. The Graduate Program in Hospital and Health Administration at Xavier University has attempted to balance the resources devoted to generic management skills and those committed to the development of the values and understanding of industry-specific knowledge. The administrative residency experience requires students to demonstrate defined competencies and behaviors while rotating through the organizational departments and divisions. The students receive constructive feedback on their interpersonal skills and their ability to perform specific financial and quantitative competencies. Beginning in winter 1989, the Xavier program plans to offer a weekend program designed to meet the career development needs of healthcare professionals working full time.