New approach to a mission driven Competency Model in Healthcare Management Education

Introduction

The competency-based movements continues to grow as healthcare executives demands academia to deliver students more readily able to work.  Today's healthcare leaders must have knowledge,  thinking skills, and develop ethical standards to deal effectively with the changes in healthcare environment.

Objectives

To develop a set of mission driven competencies that addresses the essential core set of knowledge and skills  in healthcare management required for future healthcare leaders.

Methods

The process consisted of four phases: (1) reaffirmation of mission, seeking clarity (2) Benchmarking of competencies models (6 models evaluated, over 100 competencies under deliberation), (3) Scanning external environment (79 practitioners, including healthcare executives (25%), board members (6%), medical directors (13%), financial officers (10%), nurse executives (9%), alumni (10%), others (27%); and scanning internal environment (12 academicians) using interview technique, and (4) translation from practice to academia. The American College of Healthcare Executives Competency Model was identified as the most representative of essential skills needed to perform as healthcare leaders in Puerto Rico. The University of Puerto Rico Institutional Review Board approved this protocol.

Results

The adaptation of the competency model resulted in a set of 32 competencies, 5 domains (Communication-Relationship Management, Leadership, Professionalism, Knowledge of Healthcare environment, and Business-skills) under the foundations of public health. There is alignment between the program mission, competencies, and types of jobs placement. Strengths and weakness were identified in terms of teaching and assessment methods. 

Conclusion

The program adopted a set of competencies tailored made that aligns to the mission and type of jobs our graduates enters. The competency model guides the basis for its curriculum, content areas, learning objectives and teaching as well as assessment methods. Self assessment by graduates is essential for measuring the attainment of competencies proposed. Competencies are essential for preparing graduates for future careers and advancement in a changing environment.