Main description:

A comprehensive and contemporary overview of the current issues in the Irish health service. Examines the major activity areas of health care management and reviews some of the contemporary developments in this area.

The book is divided into four parts, each dedicated to a specific theme:

Part one: The Health Care Environment

- Describes the structure, functioning and governance of the Irish health care system and how external factors such as economics and policy development impact on care delivery decisions

Part two: Fundamentals of Service Provision

- Defines leadership, organisational culture and delegation within the context of the Irish health care system and how they are impacted by historical, political and social influences

- Describes the financial management process in health care with emphasis on how health professionals may contribute to the budgetary process

Part three: Developing Professionals in the Health Service

- Key issues such as human resources, communication, conflict resolution, motivation and working in groups are detailed and explored as tools to improve efficiency and productivity within the health care system

Part four: Developing the Health Service

- Change management processes, performance measurement, clinical governance, audit, and integrated care pathways are explained with emphasis on their contribution to the improved quality and delivery of care

- The importance and application of informatics in health care is discussed with reference to worldwide trends and uses

* Each chapter is written by an expert in the field, and supported by the most up-to-date national and international literature in health care management

* Reflective questions, questions, case studies with recommendations for further reading and online resources are presented throughout the text

ESSENTIAL READING FOR: Undergraduate & postgraduate Nursing degree programmes Other health care professional courses such as Medicine, Radiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Also health care management courses at both undergraduate & postgraduate levels

Contents:

Part One: The Health Care Environment

1: Structure of the Irish Health Care System: Sile Fleming & Anne-Marie Brady

2: Health Policy and Economics: Michelle Butler

Part Two: Fundamentals in the Provision of Service

3: Leadership and Management Principles: Phil Halligan

4: Organisational Culture: Anne-Marie Malone

5: Delegation: Anne-Marie Brady

6: Financial Management in Health Care: Sharon Morrow

7: Human Resource Management: Sile Fleming

Part Three: Developing Professionals in the Health Service

8: Communication and Conflict Resolution: Catherine McCabe

9: Motivation: Elizabeth Curtis

10: Working in Groups: Sandra Fleming

Part Four: Developing the Service

11: Leading Change in Health Care: Elish Hardiman

12: Quality in Health Care: Anne-Marie Brady, Breda Doyle & Anne Carrigy

13: Integrated Care Pathways and Process Mapping: Marie Kehoe

14: Informatics in Health Care: Paula Hicks