What Is a Healthcare Administrator in the USA?

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Healthcare administrators in the USA play a vital role in ensuring the efficient operation of healthcare facilities. Their responsibilities are diverse, ranging from managing employees to overseeing budgets and resources. Education and training are crucial for preparing effective healthcare administrators, and the adoption of evidence-based management practices can further enhance their decision-making capabilities. Despite the high financial expenditure on healthcare administration, efficient management practices are essential to ensure that these resources are utilized effectively. Additionally, addressing gender dynamics within the field can contribute to a more inclusive and diverse workforce.

Healthcare administrators play a crucial role in the efficient functioning of healthcare systems in the United States. They are responsible for managing the operations of healthcare facilities, ensuring that they run smoothly and effectively. This article delves into the roles, responsibilities, and significance of healthcare administrators in the USA, drawing on various research studies to provide a comprehensive overview.

Roles and Responsibilities

Healthcare administrators are tasked with a wide range of responsibilities that are essential for the smooth operation of healthcare facilities. These include managing employees, preparing and maintaining budgets, procuring resources, and performing other administrative functions to support clinical professionals in providing their services5. They work in various settings such as health maintenance organizations (HMOs), physician group practices, hospitals, insurance companies, clinics, and medical offices5.

Education and Training

The education and training of healthcare administrators are critical to their effectiveness in their roles. Health administration programs in the United States are diverse and staffed with faculty from various industry backgrounds, bringing a wealth of experience into the classroom4. These programs prepare graduates to assume entry to mid-level management positions in a variety of healthcare settings5. The curriculum typically integrates healthcare management theory and practice, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped to handle the complexities of healthcare administration.

Evidence-Based Management

Evidence-based management (EBMgt) is considered a best practice in decision-making for healthcare administrators. However, the adoption of EBMgt has been slow among U.S. healthcare administrators. Studies have shown that the intention to use EBMgt is significantly influenced by administrators’ attitudes and perceived behavioral control, with education playing a moderating role2. This highlights the importance of fostering positive attitudes and providing adequate training to encourage the use of evidence-based practices in healthcare administration.

Financial Aspects

Healthcare administration expenditure in the United States is notably higher compared to other countries, such as Canada. In 2017, administration expenditure by healthcare insurers and providers in the U.S. was estimated to total $812 billion, accounting for 34% of national health expenditure3. This high expenditure is attributed to various factors, including higher health insurer overheads, hospital administration costs, and insurance-related physician costs3. The significant financial resources devoted to healthcare administration underscore the need for efficient management practices to ensure that these funds are well spent.

Gender Dynamics

The field of hospital administration in the USA has undergone significant changes in terms of gender dynamics. Historically, hospital administration was a female-dominated occupation, but it has since become masculinized. This shift was influenced by university programs in hospital administration, which admitted very few female students, and by hospitals’ preference for untrained male administrators6. Understanding these gender dynamics is important for addressing issues of diversity and inclusion within the field of healthcare administration.