Question

Which course concepts do you feel are the most relevant for the industry today? Which course concepts intrigue you the most? Do these things influence your direction in HCA?

Answer 1

Nowadays, the implementation of technologies in education can be seen not only in tertiary institution, but also in primary and secondary. Technology is seen as an important tool in today’s world where most of the affairs such as business, education and networking are done using technological devices.

Modern Technology and Education Education has changed significantly in the last twenty years. One of the main reasons education has undergone so many changes is because of technological development. In today’s society the impact of technology on education has played a vital role in every realm of everyday life and with that education is no exception. The emergence of technology has had a profound impacted to the educational landscape in our society. Over the past few years there has been a lot of research done on understanding to what extent the benefits of modern technology impacts education. Technological growth within education and its use is not always welcomed by critics who argue that schools should use less technology when it comes to educating its students. One circumstance revolves around the growing disproportion between students ' experiences in and out of school. The National Education Technology Plan states, “Students use computers, mobile devices, and the Internet to create their own engaging learning experiences outside school and after school hours—experiences that too often are radically different from what they are exposed to in school.” (U.S. Department of Education) However, our dominance as a world leader, greatly dependent on educating a generation of younger population who are generally the ones versed in the know how of using technology to learn both formally and informally.

Education is “The act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life” (Education). Technology comes in many forms including the Internet. It can be used in many different ways, one being educational purposes. Throughout history, technology has had an effect on Education; examples of this are the Internet, online courses, the use of technology in class, and with these there are also limitations. It’s believed that with technology, educators are able to teach students with a higher impact on their education.

Even though you’re allowed to work at your own pace in an online class it does not mean that you are able to slack off. This idea of a class without actually having to step into classroom has both pros and cons, as many things do. One of the major pros of taking online classes is as mentioned before, flexibility. The flexibility of online classes allows for students with jobs to work around their busy schedules and still gain an education. Working at your own pace is again one of the other major pros because it allows students to learn good work ethic because most online classes do have some sort of schedule. Then we have learning at your own pace, which is helpful but not a major pro because even with this you are still bounded to learning things before a test, whether you do it in a day, or spread out throughout the time allotted before a test. With this there are many cons to online classes too some being little to no social interaction and also focus. “If you are a procrastinator or you always need an extra push to complete assignments, you may have difficulty making time for your online classes” (What Are The Cons of Online Learning?). Many students fail to stay focused enough for regular classes and this just gets harder when you go to online courses, especially while trying to juggle a job too.

Health Care Administration Courses

HCA 205 Introduction to Health Care
This is an introductory course that explores the historical evolution of health care in the United States, its financing sources, technology, delivery of care and the stakeholders who comprise the health care system. The structure of the health care system, including the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare, will be discussed along with the various components that influence health care such as legal, ethical, regulatory, and fiscal forces. Students will also explore other health care systems and examine the potential future of health care in the United States.

HCA 312 Health Care Finance
This course provides an introduction to health care finance. Students will develop skills for the role of a health care manager to plan, control, direct and coordinate financial activities related to the organization’s day-to-day operation. Learning will consist of understanding financial reports, revenue sources, contractual allowances, budgeting, cost classifications, annualizing staffing, inventory and depreciation methods. Students will calculate financial ratios and analyze the results to determine the efficiency of the organization’s financial operations. Additionally, the functions of the health care financial manager will be addressed through understanding financial practices, governmental policies and regulations, cash management strategies and consistent methodologies involved in the financial decision-making process in the health care setting. Prerequisites: HCA 205 and ACC 281.

HCA 322 Health Care Ethics & Medical Law
This course presents the ethical and legal implications of health care administration. The unique legal aspects encountered in the provision of health services are analyzed. Concepts of access, affordability, health care interventions and human rights are interfaced with legal and ethical issues challenging the provision of health care services. Concepts of risk management, continuous quality assurance, guardianship, Institutional Review Boards, and needs of special and diverse populations provide discussion points in the course. The overlapping domains of ethics and medical law are examined. Case studies and discussion of ethical and legal precedent setting decisions are used to link theory with reality. Prerequisite: HCA 305, HCA 205, HPR 201, HPR 231 or NUR 300.

HCA 331 Introduction to Health Education
This course is a foundational course designed to provide an introduction to health education and the health education profession. Health educators are often responsible for developing and implementing health education programs that aim to improve the quality of life of individuals and communities. The roles, responsibilities, skills, settings, and professional networks of health educators will be reviewed in this course.

HCA 333 Introduction to Long-Term Care
This course provides an overview of the long-term service delivery continuum. Course topics include: the concept of patient-family-centered services, introduction to theories of adult development and aging, modalities of the long term care delivery system, organizational culture, introduction to regulatory agencies, financial resources, and assurance of quality.

HCA 340 Managing in Health & Human Services
An upper-level management course providing basic management theory for the beginning manager. Management challenges, human service environments, management theories, organizational design, program planning and implementing supervisory relations, managing finances program evaluation, leadership theories and teams in organizations are explored. Prerequisite: HCA 205, HCA 305 or HPR 231.

HCA 352 Legal & Ethical Aspects of Health Information Management
This course explores the major legal and ethical issues central to the implementation, application, and utilization of health information across the spectrum of health care settings. Key topics include liability, confidentiality, risk, quality, and utilization management. In addition, the legal and ethical ramifications of federal legislative mandates pertaining to health information management are reviewed. Case studies are utilized throughout the course to help students apply course concepts.

HCA 375 Continuous Quality Monitoring & Accreditation
This course provides a foundational exploration of the concepts of health care accreditation and continuous quality monitoring. The concept of quality assurance is explored from a perspective of selected accreditation, regulatory, licensing and certification programs. The interface of accreditation and reimbursement is explored. Health information systems are used in the analysis of health care accreditation, government mandates, and regulatory activities as they impact consumer outcomes. Legal implications of quality monitoring are analyzed. Social, political, professional and organizational influences upon health services delivery are explored from a perspective of demand, special populations, financing and service delivery. Prerequisite: HCA 205

HCA 401 Introduction to Health Care Informatics
This course provides an overview of health care informatics including basic vocabulary, concepts, technology, uses and practices. The history, background, and development of health care informatics are presented, as well as academic, private, and government influences.

HCA 415 Community & Public Health
This introductory course explores community and public health services in the well-being of a population. Regulatory mandates promoting public and community health are explored. The interface among community and public health services and the overall health care industry is explored. Legal and ethical imperatives emergent in public health services are discussed. Financing options are explored recognizing the role of categorical fiscal resources. Health care promotion and prevention strategies are explored in concert with the role of health care institutions and the public sector. Health information data is utilized in the planning of a community and/or public health project. Prerequisite: Successful completion of the majority of major coursework.

HCA 421 Health Care Planning & Evaluation
This course utilizes health care research data, research protocols, and information systems in the planning, implementation and evaluation of health care programs meeting the health care needs of a diverse population. Historical perspectives are discussed in tandem with current health programs and future challenges. The impact of public entities in controlling the demand aspects of health services is discussed in light of regulatory legislation. Planning strategies to meet the needs of a diverse population are explored from both the public and private sector. Discussion of the efficacy and efficiencies of past and current programs provide opportunities for analysis of past and on-going service demand and client outcomes. Development of a health care model applying the concepts of reimbursement, supply and demand, contractual adjustments and patient mix in to the planning and evaluation process. Prerequisite: Successful completion of the majority of major coursework.

HCA 430 Special Populations
This is a topics course that explores health care services for special populations. The populations include: mental health, substance addiction, rehabilitation, geriatrics and selected specialty services. The course is problem focused emphasizing access, cost-quality issues and financing considerations. Health information data is utilized as resources for the analysis of demand, quality and cost-efficiency. Historical perspectives are presented as shaping factors influencing the present models of health services for special populations. Government mandates, categorical services, legal, ethical, and reimbursement issues are presented as driving forces in the provision of special population health services. Multidisciplinary models of special population health service models are discussed. Learners will develop a model program for a self-selected special population. Prerequisite: Successful completion of the majority of major coursework. Prerequisite: Successful completion of the majority of major coursework.

HCA 442 Contemporary Issues in Aging
This course presents significant major interdisciplinary aging issues and controversies drawn from biological sciences, medicine, nursing, psychology, sociology, gerontology, public policy, and social work. With an emphasis on critical thinking, divergent views and perspectives of aging phenomenology are explored through the reading and research of selected articles and reports covering current topical content.

HCA 444 Long-Term Care: The Consumer Perspective
This course examines the role and impact consumers have in long-term care decision making and provision of care. Factors and challenges influencing consumer choices are explored within the context of long-term care improvement in both institutional and community settings. Current topical issues such as customer/provider relationships and quality of care are overviewed in this course.

HCA 459 Senior Project
This course provides the learner a format for the integration health care concepts, exploring a self-selected health care topic. The Senior Project may be: 1) problem focused in which the learner identifies a health care problem or issue and conducts research on the topic culminating in a proposed solution; or 2) an observational research project on a self-selected health care topic. Prerequisites: Successful completion of the General Education Capstone course and majority of major coursework.

HCA 496 Health Informatics Capstone
This course provides a synthesis of the major ideas, perspectives, theories, and concepts gained from the study of health informatics. A substantive paper is developed which requires students to critically analyze their experiences and integrate knowledge gained throughout the program. Prerequisite: Successful completion of the General Education Capstone course. Prerequisite: Successful completion of the General Education Capstone course.

HCA 497 Health Care Studies Capstone
In this final course students will demonstrate their mastery of program outcomes by reflecting on and synthesizing insights gained from their studies. This will take the form of a focused study of a significant trend or problem in contemporary health care. Prerequisite: Successful completion of the General Education Capstone course.