1. Do you agree with the author that All parties must (make) a tremendous focused effort on preventing illness and disease rather than just treating it after it occurs? Explain. What effect do you think success in this effort would have on physicians? Insurers? Hospitals? Consumers?
2. What are some of the challenges and survival strategies of hospitals today? Who are the decision makers, i.e., the “three sources of power and authority” in a typical hospital organization and their roles in meeting these challenges and in strategizing for success?
3. Many hospitals today are focusing their organizational resources on becoming a Center of Excellence, concentrating on one or more categories of disease or special types of service. What do you see as some of the forces driving hospitals? Can you think of a hospital or health system in your area that is promoting itself as the “heart” center, the “women’s health” center, or some other specialty area? This is sometimes termed “boutique” healthcare. Does this seem like a good strategy in today’s health care market?
Answer one or more of the questions above as time permits. Use scholarly sources and cite them.