Designing for Impact: An Approach to US Based Executive Education for Healthcare Professionals from China

Abstract

There is limited evidence on how healthcare executive education programs can be structured to achieve impact, particularly within the rapidly advancing healthcare systems in China. This study reviews the design and evolution of three programs hosted by the University of Michigan Medical School to engage mid-level healthcare leaders from three healthcare institutions in China. Program participants included 40 Chinese physicians and administrators from 13 hospitals across the three healthcare institutions. The Kirkpatrick model was used to structure an approach to evaluate the learner outcomes. The programs were well received, with the effectiveness score in the first three Kirkpatrick-levels of reaction, knowledge acquisition and application of learning being 4.61, 4.34, and 3.55, respectively (on a five-point Likert rating with 5 as the highest rating). The results demonstrate the ability to co-design executive education programs with learners who advance the expected outcomes beyond mere satisfaction with their participation in the program. This approach is increasing the demand among healthcare institutions and their employees in China for these programs at University of Michigan Medical School.