An Educational Framework for Healthcare Facility Management: Preparing Future Professionals

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose— The purpose of this research is to better understand learning outcomes essential for college students to be effective entry-level healthcare facility managers, establishing a healthcare FM education framework to further open FM academic programs as a sustainable source of new talent for the healthcare FM industry. Design/methodology/approach— A Delphi method was used for this research to draw upon the collective knowledge and experience of 13 experts over three iterative rounds of input. Phone interviews were also employed. Findings— This study shows that gaps exist in student learning outcomes for a comprehensive healthcare FM education; key technical topics specific to the healthcare industry are not being addressed by organizations accrediting construction and facility management academic programs. Many of these student learning outcomes could be readily combined into existing learning outcomes or used to develop a comprehensive healthcare FM education covering accreditation, regulatory and code compliance, infection control, systems in healthcare facilities, healthcare construction project management and methods, and clinical operations and medical equipment. Interestingly, academics in the field of FM generally disagree with industry professionals that these technical topics are important student learning outcomes. Consequently, FM academics prefer to teach students general FM principles with the expectation that specific technical knowledge will be gained in the workplace after graduation from college. Nevertheless, candidates attempting to enter healthcare FM without industry specific knowledge are disadvantaged due to industry perceptions and expectations. University-industry linkage must be improved to successfully attract students into the field of healthcare FM and open colleges and universities as a sustainable recruitment source in helping address FM attrition. Originality/value— This paper is valuable in establishing a healthcare FM education framework to elucidate college student learning outcomes upon graduation for successful employment as an entry-level healthcare facility manager. These student learning outcomes provide a framework for healthcare FM education to be used by industry and academia in preparing future professionals.