Professionalizing Healthcare Management: A Descriptive Case Study

Despite international recognition of the importance of healthcare management in the development of high-performing systems, the path by which countries may develop and sustain a professional healthcare management workforce has not been articulated. Accordingly, we sought to identify a set of common themes in the establishment of a professional workforce of healthcare managers in low- and middle-income country (LMIC) settings using a descriptive case study approach. We draw on a historical analysis of the development of this profession in the United States and Ethiopia to identify five common themes in the professionalization of healthcare management: (۱) a country context in which healthcare management is demanded; (۲) a national framework that elevates a professional management role; (۳) standards for healthcare management, and a monitoring function to promote adherence to standards; (۴) a graduatelevel educational path to ensure a pipeline of well-prepared healthcare managers; and (۵) professional associations to sustain and advance the field. These five components can to inform the creation of a long-term national strategy for the development of a professional cadre of heathcare managers in LMIC settings.

کلیدواژه ها:

Healthcare Management ، Health Policy ، Quality Improvement ، Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs)