Insatiable demand for digital talent in healthcare fuels rise of specialist training programs for health executives.
The feverish demand for talent in healthcare is fuelling the rise of specialist training programs for health executives.Technological change has made it clear there is a need for managers to hone digital skills. Healthcare organizations’ strategies are increasingly being shaped by tech — which could reduce patient risk, increase efficiency and slash costs.
From transitioning to electronic medical records to mining the vast quantities of data generated by remote patient monitoring devices, healthcare leaders will need to keep pace with digital innovation.
Curricula, says Kimberly MacPherson, associate director of health management at California’s Haas School of Business, is already changing. For example, healthcare sessions at Hass School on technology are running as part of MBA electives, and cover areas including tech trends in the biotechnology and pharmaceuticals sectors.
“So much in healthcare revolves around data and information,” Kimberly says. “Much of the innovation is reliant on IT and there are huge implementations of EHRs and other core systems, in addition to the digital health explosion.”
At a senior level, healthcare executives will need wrap their heads around mobile apps, wearable tech, sensors and data analytics. The sheer scale of innovation is proving a challenge.
“Healthcare managers and executives understand that IT needs to play a role in their overall healthcare strategy,” says Professor Jeremy Petranka at Duke’s Fuqua School of Business, who researches IT strategy. “But what that role should be is still being defined.”
Fuqua’s Health Sector Management program is one of the most established among top US schools including George Washington University, Michigan Ross, Vanderbilt Owen and Rice Jones.
Yet it too must change as technology comes into focus, Jeremy agrees. He says IT is ever-more pervasive throughout the healthcare system. “Students coming out of healthcare programs that are blind to this tool will be at a disadvantage.”
Fred Hagigi, professor in technology management and director of Global Health Initiatives at UCLA Anderson School of Management, says the effect of IT on healthcare is a major area of focus.
He highlights the free flow of data from an increasing number of consumer devices, and the disruptive new players that are harnessing the power of IT: “This has a substantial impact on healthcare.”
Meanwhile, in Europe at Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, future healthcare leaders are injecting innovation management and technological progress into their study.
“Healthcare managers are very aware of these developments and observe them closely,” says Dr Rainer Sibbel, at Frankfurt’s Institute for International Health Management. “But, from a managerial point of view, it is a very difficult and challenging topic.” To calculate the cost of investment in tech is easy, but to realize the potential is problematic, he says.
Perhaps the biggest shift in the education and training of health workers is the increasing focus on big data. Machines and devices in hospitals and patients’ homes are transmitting more data than ever before.
“Big data will become a very powerful tool,” says Frankfurt’s Rainer, which has the potential to revolutionize aspects of patient care and clinical trials.
Analytics has become a job description for a swelling number of healthcare management roles.
“We are seeing an improvement on the number of graduates with specific digital experience who are hired by pharmaceutical companies,” says Elisa Zagami, head of career development at MIP Politecnico di Milano, a top Italian business school. Eli Lilly, Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline, Boehringer and Bayer are all recruiting, she says.
Student Reviews
Duke University Fuqua School of Business
Supportive atmosphere
The professors at Duke university exhibit exceptional commitment to the success and well-being of their students by ensuring their academic growth and fostering a supportive social atmosphere. Moreover, the entire community is recognized for its amicability and inclusiveness.
Diversity
The people or the students are without a doubt Duke's greatest asset. While all students are driven to succeed, they are also enthusiastic about a variety of hobbies. You run across a huge lot of diversity. It is the ideal example of a school with well-rounded students and the ideal balance of campus life in a metropolis.
Happy to school
All I could ever hope for is Duke University. That really epitomizes the "work hard, play hard" philosophy that elite colleges frequently pursue. Even though you'll have a lot of schooling to complete over the week, it's simple to keep focused because all of your friends are putting in similar amounts of effort. Many events taking place on and around campus on the weekends provide a great way to unwind. The combination of demanding academics and traditional college fun strikes the perfect balance.
Good schooling
Living, eating, learning, and developing who you want to be as an adult are all fantastic at Duke. I participated in student athletics, and I couldn't have asked for a better interaction with the faculty and other students. I appreciate all of the help I get from the Duke community more than anything. Furthermore, the teachers take the time to get to know you, and the lectures are diverse and demanding (if you do the same). I'd give it a 10 out of 10.
Beautiful School, Nice Classes
DU remains one the greatest and best universities that I have ever stepped in. The school is beautiful and neat. The classes are spacious and also very nice. I enjoyed attending my Lectures in those lecture halls. I also loved the Lecturers because of the good work they did. The university also has very good dorms that are given to students on first come first serve basis and they are affordable
Amazing experience
I received my B.S. in Biology and B.A. in Global Health with a minor in Chemistry from Duke University. I was able to grow as a student, scientist, and global health advocate with the help of my friends, professors, and other mentors I met along the way. A lot to learn if you look and ask, a great place to learn for those who want to learn.
whirlwind of growth and change
An amazing 2 years, with covid and everything else happening Duke has been a place of growth for me. The courses , classes were one of a kind, online and on campus. But the valuable lessons learned in the classes are irreplicable. The students are amazing here, so much diversity , I had no problem fitting in. The teachers are down right brilliant and so helpful. Don't be afraid to ask them anything. Graduated with my MBA with Duke and now my future awaits.
One of the best for Business students
Graduated with an MBA. The classes were very insightful and engaging. The staff are very easy to deal with. The teachers and students, are truly amazing people. Grateful to all the people I've met along the way at Duke. I've learnt a great deal that will help me in my future endeavors. The campus itself is a marvel, it is beautiful.
The university campus is awesome
I graduated with a masters degree in Religious Studies from Duke University. One thing I really liked about the university is its huge campus. It is spread in a large area with a lot of greenery and also have the facilities of reading rooms for single person also. My department building was very well taken care of. The library is immensely populated with books for all your needs. The faculty is very nice to students. The classes are equipped with latest technology to cater the needs of students. The University also provides room rentals for international students. They are very well maintained and priority is given to the International students for a comfortable stay there. There are weekly events conducted by the University as well as Student clubs for the entertainment of students. Anybody can take part in them and show their talents. I enjoyed my degree and I graduated in 2021 and was very happy that I had graduated from a reputed University.
