The contribution of the health management studies program to the professional status of graduates
-
Orit Haller-Hayon
and
Racheli Magnezi
Abstract
Background:
This study examines the contribution of the Health Management Bachelor’s degree program at an Israeli university to the professional development of its graduates. The aims of this study were: To examine the perceived gaps between acquired knowledge and required knowledge within the workforce; To explore the potential changes in the graduates’ occupation conditions or professional status following their studies; To test the contribution of the curricula content studied by the graduates to their understanding, knowledge and integration within the healthcare system; and to examine the graduates perceptions towards required content, that should be added to the curricula.
Methods:
A structured, self-reported questionnaire was administered to 182 Health Management Department individuals whom have graduated from the Bachelors program between the years 2005 and 2009.
Results:
The majority of the graduates reported the existance of a knowledge gap (greater among males, young and single than among females, older and married graduates). Most of the courses which were ranked as the lowest contributing ones were related to Management (e.g. Mathematics for Social Sciences, Accounting Fundamentals, Finance Theory), while the graduates recommended the inclusion of additional components to the curricula.
Conclusions:
The study demonstrates that a perceived gap exists between the acquired and the required knowledge of the Health Management Studies graduates. Various changes have been reported by the graduates (such as wage raise and role changes), following their study completion, suggesting that the program has partially contributed to their professional status. A ‘Learning by Sharing’ forum of academic staff, employers and graduates is recommended.
Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge Dr. Ido Liberman (PhD) for conducting data analysis, and a special thanks to Mrs. Marta Ganot for supporting this study from start to finish. In addition, we would like to thank the Health Management Department graduates in the faculty of Health Sciences for voluntarily participating in this study, and to the students who helped collect the data. This study was funded by the research authority of Ariel University.
Author’s contribution: All authors contributed to the design of different parts of the study. OHH was responsible for the literature review and for writing the initial version of the manuscript. LK was responsible for the statistical analyses and helped draft the manuscript. RM was responsible for data collection, participated in the study’s design and coordination as well as helped draft the manuscript. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
References
1. Haller-Hayon O. To share or not to share, the Pre-Conditions for Creating Partnerships between Industry and Academia in Israel. Dissertation. UK: Anglia Ruskin University, 2008.Search in Google Scholar
2. De la Harpe B, Radloff A, Wyber J. Quality and generic (professional) skills. Quality in Higher Education 2000;6:231–43.10.1080/13538320020005972Search in Google Scholar
3. Harvey L. Transitions from Higher Education to Work. A briefing paper, Centre for Research and Evaluation, Sheffield Hallam University, 2003.Search in Google Scholar
4. Tippins MJ. Implementing knowledge management in Academia: teaching the teachers. Int J Educ Manage 2003;17:339–45.10.1108/09513540310501021Search in Google Scholar
5. Brown K. Employability of geography graduates in the GIS and GI-related fields. Planet 2004;13:18–9.10.11120/plan.2004.00130018Search in Google Scholar
6. Shimoni E. The High-Tech Companies Return to Recruit Employees. Accessed 16, November, 2014. URL: http://www.ynet.co.il/Ext/Comp/ArticleLayout/CdaArticlePrintPrevie/1,2506,L-3230917,00.html.Search in Google Scholar
7. Vinutha V. Industry-academia partnership to bridge skills gap. Express Computer, weekly insight for technology professionals. Accessed 16, November, 2014. (http://expresscomputeronline.com/20060327/technologylife01.shtml).Search in Google Scholar
8. Nutley S, Walter I, Davies HTO. From knowing to doing: a framework for understanding the evidence-into-practice agenda. Discussion paper 1, St Andrews, UK: University of St Andrews, 2002.Search in Google Scholar
9. Yen DC, Chen HG, Lee S, Koh S. Differences in perception of IS knowledge and skills between academia and industry: findings from Taiwan. Int J Inform Manage 2003;23:507–22.10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2003.09.011Search in Google Scholar
10. Haller-Hayon O. The mixed methods research approach “is entering” the mechanical engineering department – investigating the ways to improve the graduates’ preparation to the working world. In Proceedings of the 5th Annual International Mixed Methods Conference and Workshops: UK; 2009.Search in Google Scholar
11. Haller-Hayon O, Davidovich N, Shoval S. From Theory to Practice: How Well Do The IE & M Studies Fit The Alumni Job Needs – A Case Study. Industry Oriented Innovation in Academia. In Proceedings of the 2nd Industry-Academia Conference, Israel, 2011.Search in Google Scholar
12. Nadim W, Goulding JS. Offsite Production in the UK: the Construction Industry and Academia. Architectural Engineering and Design Management 2009;5:136–52.10.3763/aedm.2008.0094Search in Google Scholar
13. Haller–Hayon O, Balik C, Kalishak S, Shamish T. From theory to practice: Analyzing the nursing graduate’s performance; examining the gap in knowledge between the acquired knowledge in nursing schools to the required knowledge in hospitals. In proceeding of the 6th Annual International Mixed Methods Conference, Baltimore, USA, 2010.Search in Google Scholar
14. Haron Y, Gun-Usishkin M, Shor R, Tran D, Riba S. Postgraduate Education in Psychiatric Nursing in Israel: Closing the Gap. Issues Ment Health Nurs 2014;35:940–7.10.3109/01612840.2014.924608Search in Google Scholar PubMed
15. Basok M. The Economic Studies are not Critical Enough, and They Neglected the Local Economy. Accessed 16, November, 2014. URL: http://www.vanleer.org.il/econsoc/8_media/20110103_themarker.pdf.Search in Google Scholar
16. Harrison LM, Davis MV, MacDonald PDM, Alexander L, Cline JS, et al. Development and implementation of a public health workforce training needs assessment survey in North Carolina. Public Health Rep 2005;120:28–34.10.1177/00333549051200S107Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
17. Lee ACK, PhillipsW, Challen K, Goodacre S. Emergency management in health: key issues and challenges in the UK. BMC Public Health 2012;12:884.10.1186/1471-2458-12-884Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
18. Wright k, Rowitz L, Merkle A, Reid WM, Robinson G, et al. Competency Development in Public Health Leadership. Am J Public Health 2000;90:1202–7.10.2105/AJPH.90.8.1202Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
19. Johnson A, Miller J. Starting-up a Successful Liaison between Academia and Industry in Latin America. In Proceedings of the 2010 Industrial Engineering Research Conference , June 5–9, Cancún, Mexico.Search in Google Scholar
20. Ramakrishnan K, Yasin NM. Knowledge management portal: connecting h higher learning institution and employer. Data Min Knowl Discov 2010;1:1–18.Search in Google Scholar
21. O’Brien EM, Hart SJ. Acton learning: the link between academia and industry. Educ Res 1999;41:77–89.10.1080/0013188990410107Search in Google Scholar
22. Thijssen TPT, Maes R, Vernooij ATJ. Learning by Sharing: a model for life-long learning. In: Johannessen TA, Pedesen A, Petersen K, editor. Educational Innovation in Economics and Business VI 2002, Dorbrecht/Boston/London: Kluwer Academic Publishers.10.1007/978-94-017-1390-0_13Search in Google Scholar
23. Hawkes LC, Fowler M, Tan LM. Management Accounting Education: is there a Gap between Academia and Practitioner Perceptions? Discussion Paper Series 215, June 2003. Massey University, School of Accountancy.Search in Google Scholar
24. Al-Imamy S, Farhat N. The MIS expectation gap in the UAE: industry expectations versus academic preparation. Am Academy of Business 2005;7:78–84.Search in Google Scholar
25. Gera R. Bridging the gap in knowledge transfer between academia and practitioners. Int J Educ Manage 2012;26:252–73.10.1108/09513541211213336Search in Google Scholar
26. Vandewaetere M, Manhaeve D, Aertgeerts B, Clarebout G, Van Merriënboer JJG. Roex A 4C/ID in medical education: How to design an educational program based on whole-task learning: AMEE Guide No. 93 Med Teach 2015;37:4–20.10.3109/0142159X.2014.928407Search in Google Scholar PubMed
27. Mc Menamin R, Mc Grath M, Cantillon P, Mac Farlane A. Training socially responsive health care graduates: Is service learning an effective educational approach? Med Teach 2014;36:291–307.10.3109/0142159X.2013.873118Search in Google Scholar PubMed
28. Beckman K, Coulter N, Khajenoori S, Mead N. Collaborations: Closing the Industry-Academic Gap. IEEE Software. Los Alamitos 1997;14:49–57.Search in Google Scholar
29. Madden DL: Strengthening Learning Opportunities to Promote the Capacity of the Public Health Workforce. NSW Public Health Bulletin 2007;18:2–3.10.1071/NB07019Search in Google Scholar
30. Moser JM. Core academic competencies for master of public health students: one health department practitioner’s perspective. Am J Public Health 2008;98:1559–61.10.2105/AJPH.2007.117234Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
31. Nagar S. Choosing the teaching profession – Whence and whither? Vision and practice at the Achva Academic Campus 2001;7:1–21.Search in Google Scholar
32. Ariel University Home page: School of Health Sciences, Department of Health Management. Accessed 2014 Nov 16.URL: http://www.ariel.ac.il/healthmanagement/.Search in Google Scholar
33. Ritchie1 DJ, Yen ML. Health services management development: what formal knowledge should support the skills and experience required? Aust Health Rev 2012 http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/AH11116.10.1071/AH11116Search in Google Scholar PubMed
34. Houser S. Are we preparing health services administration students to respond to bioterrorism and mass casualty management? J Health Adm Educ 2006;23:169–80.Search in Google Scholar
35. Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Home page. Faculty of Health Sciences and Faculty of Management. Accessed 2014 Nov 16.URL: http://in.bgu.ac.il/welcome/Pages/degree_2/Health_Systems_Management_degree_2.aspx.Search in Google Scholar
36. University of Haifa Home page. School of Public Health, http://publichealth.haifa.ac.il/index.php/he/trends/health-systems-management Retrieved: 16, November, 2014.Search in Google Scholar
37. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Home page.The Faculty of Medicine, Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine. Accessed 2014 Nov 16.URL: https://medicine.ekmd.huji.ac.il/schools/publichealth/He/home/Pages/default.aspx#2.Search in Google Scholar
38. Tel Aviv University Home page. Faculty of Medicine. Accessed 2014 Nov 16. URL: http://go.tau.ac.il/m.a_what-to-learn?nid=88.Search in Google Scholar
39. Harvard University Home page. School of Public Health, The Department of Health Policy and Management. Accessed 2014 Nov 16.URL: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/health-policy-and-management/.Search in Google Scholar
40. City University of London Home page. School of Health Sciences, The Department of health management. Accessed 2014 Nov 16.URL: http://www.city.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/health-management#course-detail=1.Search in Google Scholar
©2017 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- Drinking, driving and a bit of cannabis
- Adolescent suicide and testosterone
- Adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health: an ecological perspective
- Studying physician-adolescent patient communication in community-based practices: recruitment challenges and solutions
- Differences in use of contraception by age, sex and HIV status of 10–19-year-old adolescents in Nigeria
- Auditory and visual reaction times in school going adolescents: effect of structured and unstructured physical training – a randomized control trial
- Racial/ethnic disparity in obesity among US youth, 1999–2013
- Prevalence of stress and stress tolerance levels among adolescent boys – a district level cross sectional study in South India
- Self-concept and social comparison and their relation with smoking and alcohol consumption in adolescents
- Passive smoking: knowledge, exposure and responses among adolescents in a rural setting in Sri Lanka
- The contribution of the health management studies program to the professional status of graduates
- Hacking the hospital environment: young adults designing youth-friendly hospital rooms together with young people with cancer experiences
- Helmet use of adolescent cyclists at Crescent School in Toronto, Canada
- Successful treatment of short stature with growth hormone replacement therapy in a patient with anorexia nervosa
- Characteristics of the most viewed YouTube™ videos related to bullying
- Strategy instruction for middle and secondary students with mild disabilities: Creating independent learners
Articles in the same Issue
- Drinking, driving and a bit of cannabis
- Adolescent suicide and testosterone
- Adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health: an ecological perspective
- Studying physician-adolescent patient communication in community-based practices: recruitment challenges and solutions
- Differences in use of contraception by age, sex and HIV status of 10–19-year-old adolescents in Nigeria
- Auditory and visual reaction times in school going adolescents: effect of structured and unstructured physical training – a randomized control trial
- Racial/ethnic disparity in obesity among US youth, 1999–2013
- Prevalence of stress and stress tolerance levels among adolescent boys – a district level cross sectional study in South India
- Self-concept and social comparison and their relation with smoking and alcohol consumption in adolescents
- Passive smoking: knowledge, exposure and responses among adolescents in a rural setting in Sri Lanka
- The contribution of the health management studies program to the professional status of graduates
- Hacking the hospital environment: young adults designing youth-friendly hospital rooms together with young people with cancer experiences
- Helmet use of adolescent cyclists at Crescent School in Toronto, Canada
- Successful treatment of short stature with growth hormone replacement therapy in a patient with anorexia nervosa
- Characteristics of the most viewed YouTube™ videos related to bullying
- Strategy instruction for middle and secondary students with mild disabilities: Creating independent learners
