Weber State University   

HAS - Long Term Care

Results of Assessment

2006-2007 (submitted 05/13/08)

The academic year 2006-2007 was marked by expansion of the programs within Health Administrative Services. The assessment of Health Information Management, Health Information Technology and Health Promotion has been submitted separately.

The most significant development was initiation of the Master of Health Administration degree program.  The first class began with a cohort of 34 graduate students.

At the beginning of the year the former department chair Dr. Johnson was promoted to Associate Dean of the Dumke College of Health Professions and was replaced internally by Dr. Burton for a three year term.  Michelle Snow was hired to fill the vacancy created by Dr. Johnson’s promotion.

Outcomes Assessed

Development of faculty was marked by pursuit of doctoral degrees on the part of two faculty members and the completion of a Master’s degree by third faculty member.

The HSA Baccalaureate program completed a third year of a five year continuing certification by the Association of University Programs in Health Administration.

Specifically, course offerings, course objectives, course rigor, student experiences in and out of the classroom, faculty advisement with students, access to courses, student, industry, and alumni ratings, and benchmark comparisons were reviewed as part of the program’s annual assessment.

The program faculty participate on review boards and committees of AUPHA, which provide the opportunity to evaluate other like programs throughout the country and participate in development and refinement of course content criteria for future evaluations.  In addition, one faculty serves as a Fellow of the Commission on Accreditation of Health Management Education (CAHME), the accreditation arm of AUPHA looking at graduate programs. 

HIM/HIT students continue to score very well on their national exams. During the past year, 12 of 15 HIT students passed the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification exam on the first take and 82%were placed in a position upon graduation.   4 of 6 HIM students passed the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) certification exam on the first take and 100% were placed in a position upon graduation.

Long-term care administration students. 4 out of 5 of this year’s LTC graduates have already found employment. Pending successful completion their licensing exams all expect to be employed.

Data Gathered

First, department faculty and adjunct instructors use a variety of methods to assess how well the students are meeting 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 review their course materials, content and pedagogy to insure they are keeping current with changes in the health care delivery environment. 

Third, students complete end of course evaluations regarding the instructor and the course.

Fourth, the program faculty meets with advisory board members and alumni to discuss the program and entertain suggestions for improvement

Fifth, the program has begun an initiative to develop an internal database built in MS Access to aid in capturing information on students going into internship and alumni career progression.

Changes

One of the outcomes assessed continuously by the HAS department is the number of students enrolled. Over the past several years, enrollment has increased in the health services administration (HSA) emphasis and increased or held level in the long-term care (LTC) emphasis. Of concern is the significant increase in the number of students enrolled in HAS 3000 which is the threshold course for students applying to complete the HSA majors.  If this trend continues either additional faculty will be needed or the program will have to set higher acceptance standards to limit the number of students in the program.

Online enrollments have grown over previous years.  Dr. Burton and Mr. Dahlkemper conducted a study comparing enrollment and final grade performance of students in comparable online and in class sections over the past 3 years.  The study was selected for publication in the Journal of the National Social Science Association.  The results of the study indicated that a significantly higher number of online students do not complete the course or receive a failing grade.  This has prompted the need to conduct further study and ascertain why this is so. 

As a result of a new policy by ACHE separate student chapters are no longer recognized and students are being encouraged to participate in the activities of regional chapters at of ACHE.  The Utah Healthcare Executives meets regularly throughout the year and sponsors continuing education events.

Recent graduates of the Program are meeting their goals. Long-term care graduates during the past year have completed the Utah State licensing exam, entitling them to become nursing home administrators. The State does not publish the results of the licensing exam.  Informal surveys indicate that graduates successfully compete the exam within a year of graduation and receive their license. The health services administration graduates are employed in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities and agencies, dental practices and other professions. About 10 percent are pursuing graduate degrees.

Outcomes to be assessed 2007-2008

The program will develop in internal database to track students progress through their academic careers with particular attention to internships and then follow them as alumni.

The faculty will assess the currency and efficacy of syllabi against the content criteria set forth by AUPHA for undergraduate programs in health administration.

The program will monitor and encourage student involvement with professional organizations such as ACHE and ACHA.

The Program will hire an Enrollment Director to assist the program director in recruiting students and providing advice to applicants and students as they progress through their program.

Add a faculty line to support the MHA program teaching and research requirements.

Students, alumni, and industry experts, as always, will continue to be surveyed during the coming year as a way to continually improve the program.

Finally, HAS faculty will continue to be involved as panel members for undergraduate reviews of other programs as a way to benchmark the HAS programs and through involvement with the Commission on Accreditation of Health Management Education.

Mission Statement / Student Learning Outcomes / Curriculum Grid / Assessment Plan / Contact Person