Health Care Management in Mind: Eight Careers

AORN Journal, March, 2005 by Robin Marles

Health Care Management in Mind: Eight Careers

Anthony R. Kovner

2000, 168 pp

$35.95 hardcover

This book is the author's personal account of favorable and unfavorable outcomes he experienced in the course of his careers in health care management. He has worked in long-term care, acute care, and clinics for the poor; consulted for a labor union; and taught management classes at the college level. He also has been a consultant to several large foundations.

The first chapter introduces the author's family, his background, and his values. Subsequent chapters describe the lessons he learned during the course of his eight careers. For example, while working with The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the author learned how large foundations function and how large national demonstrations are run.

The author is truthful about his mistakes and triumphs, and he describes the factors that contributed to each. He also includes his likes and dislikes about each position. For example, as a hospital chief executive, the author liked working with the chairman of the board and the president of the medical staff; however, he disliked where the position was located geographically.

The author also provides practical advice for managers--for example, part of being an effective manager is determining one's definition of effectiveness in the job and validating this view with key stakeholders. The author points out that many managers lack the skills and experience needed today, including a willingness to work hard and an ability to get along with others. A manager must be trustworthy, learn by listening, and always show that he or she is listening. He stresses that communication skills are essential, as are the ability to admit when one does not know the answer to a question and understanding how to redefine a question.

At the end of each chapter is a series of yes-or-no questions and a practice exercise that enable readers to relate the material to their own careers. The last chapter is a summation of the book, and the last pages of the text include an extensive reference list and index. This book also provides a selective history of health care policy and management.

The book is concise, clear, and well presented, which allows readers to absorb and reflect on the author's advice. It would be of interest to people who teach, perform research, practice health care, govern, and manage nonprofit organizations. I believe this book would be a particularly valuable resource for managers of all skill levels and students of health care management.

This book is available from Springer Publishing Co, Inc, 536 Broadway, New York, NY 10012-3955.

ROBIN MARLES

RN, BSN, CNOR

ORTHOPEDIC COORDINATOR

CAPE FEAR HOSPITAL

WILMINGTON, NC