Health Services Management Education On-Site At A Military Medical Center

Abstract

A cooperative educational program with the U.S. military is described to illustrate a unique opportunity that confronted a graduate healthcare management program. The resulting degree program supported the military's operational medical mission but also presented interesting and unexpected challenges resulting from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Pressure to provide cost-effective services has been mounting for many years. Civilian and military cooperative ventures can be highly successful. The program addressed the need for enhanced managerial skills. Program content focused on traditional business and healthcare content with applications tailored to military settings. While instruction was provided primarily by civilian faculty, active duty military instructors were also incorporated into specific course content areas. Program pricing and marketing were critical to success. Technical course delivery issues raised additional challenges due to work obligations and deployments. Academic institutions need to assist military commands in achieving their training objectives and can benefit from the experience.