HAS - Long Term Care
Results of Assessment
2002-2003 (submitted
10/02/03)
While some minor changes took place in courses proposal
during the 2002-2003 academic year, more significant was the WSU Faculty
Senate and Board of Trustees’ approval of the Graduate Certificate in Health
Administrative Services. This program fits nicely with the Masters of Business
Administration (MBA) program already offered on campus. Students who are
accepted into the MBA program are also accepted into the graduate certificate
program if they choose to enter. Students who already hold a master’s degree
in a health or business related field also are eligible to enter the graduate
certificate program. Those who hold bachelors degrees must meet with the HAS
faculty for approval and possible additional coursework prior to entering the
program.
In addition to the Graduate Certificate in Health
Administrative Services, emphasis was placed on recruiting additional students
to the Health Services Administration (HAS) emphasis in the undergraduate
major and, especially, the Long-term Care (LTC) emphasis.
Outcomes Assessed
Department
faculty have long included outcomes in HAS course syllabi. Those outcome
statements were reviewed carefully during the 2002-2003 year and compared to
outcomes in similar courses taught throughout the United States. Two faculty
members served, during the year, on program review boards for the
accreditation arm of the Association of University Programs in Health
Administration (AUPHA). HAS department faculty concluded that both the HSA and
LTC programs are equal to or superior than similar undergraduate programs
across the country. Among the outcomes assessed were specific course
objectives, course rigor, the number of hours spent by students in and out of
class to fulfill the course assignments, faculty advisement with students,
course offerings, the appropriate number of sections at the appropriate times
and places, and the overall student ratings and comments pertaining to each
course.
Department
faculty regularly look at HAS graduates to see if they are moving on to
graduate programs or obtaining the employment they desire. Successful
completion of the AIT internship and licensure exam is of particular
importance to the long-term care graduates.
Data Gathered
First,
department faculty and adjunct instructors use a variety of methods to assess
how well the students are meeting the course objectives. These include, but
are not limited to, written assignments, oral presentations, exams, projects,
small-group activities, in-class discussion and feedback from community
partners working with the students.
Second,
HAS faculty looked carefully at similar programs nationwide. This included the
involvement of two HAS faculty members as reviewers in the formal program
review of two undergraduate health care administration programs similar to
that at WSU.
Third,
student surveys of the faculty and the courses are conducted on a very regular
basis at the end of each semester. Students rate and often give feedback
indicating their sense of how well the course prepares the students to
understand and meet specific course objectives, the effectiveness of
instruction and course pedagogy, and their overall impressions of the rigor
and expectations placed on the students.
Fourth,
faculty have meet with community health providers and other corporate
representatives to determine how well WSU graduates are meeting their needs.
Feedback is also solicited from department alumni as to their experiences and
preparation for the workforce. These data are usually qualitative in nature,
gathered during formal and informal discussions.
Finally,
to the extent it is possible, department faculty gather data regarding
graduates. Are they accepted into graduate school, are they obtaining
employment, and in the case of the long-term care students, are they passing
the licensure exam. The latter is difficult to determine since the examination
program does not provide universities with any data regarding those who sit
for the exam or a pass-fail rate. Faculty do know, however, that of the seven
students who completed the long-term care emphasis, five are now licensed and
managing their own facilities and the other two are unaccounted for.
Changes
As mentioned earlier in this report, some significant
changes took place as a result of the feedback of students, alumni, and
industry advisors.
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First, the development of the Graduate Certificate in
Health Administrative Services was in direct response to comments of the
HAS advisory committee and alumni. The development of the program took
place with their assistance and that of representatives of the
University’s MBA program.
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Second, recruitment efforts have focused on
increasing the number of students in the HSA and LTC programs from
previous years. Unfortunately, the numbers remain fairly constant compared
to last year.
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Third, department faculty members have taken on new
advisement roles with two faculty working specifically with all the HSA
students and one working with the LTC students. This seems to allow for
more individual contact with each student and better organization of
resources for faculty.
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Fourth, faculty and staff offices were moved to be
more central to each other. Students can now access faculty and the
department secretary more conveniently.
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Fifth, an HAS alumni database has been established
and the department’s web page has begun its initial development, which
will include a section devoted to alumni. The hope is that the HAS
department will garner useful outcomes and planning data, and increased
support from its former students.
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Six, several of the recent HAS graduates have obtain
good jobs. This is especially true of the LTC emphasis where all but one
student have found employment as managers in the industry.
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Finally, one course, HAS 3190 Cultural Diversity in
Patient Education, was approved by the WSU Faculty Senate as meeting the
University’s diversity requirement. This allows students the convenience
and savings in not taking an additional course.
Outcomes to be assessed 2003-2004
Of continuing interest in the HAS and LTC emphasis areas
will be the number of students enrolled. Continued emphasis will be placed on
recruiting new, strong students to the program.
The department’s web page, including its link to
alumni, will be completed during the coming year.
Most
importantly, the HAS department will complete a self-study review and apply
for re-accreditation with the Association of University Programs in Health
Administration (AUPHA). This involves all of the faculty and the dean in both
the self-study and accreditation meetings to be held in the early summer of
2004.
Mission
Statement / Student Learning
Outcomes / Curriculum Grid /
Assessment Plan /
Contact Person
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