Dana Schwartz-Ilan, Health Systems Management, Faculty for Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University, PoB 653, Beer Sheva, 84105, Israel, 972-8-6477421, danasc@bgumail.bgu.ac.il, Shifra Shvarts, PhD, Ben Gurion University, Health Systems Management, Faculty for Health Sciences, Beer Sheva, 84105, Israel, and Avishay Goldberg, PhD, Health Systems Management, Faculty for Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University, P.O. Box 653, Beer Sheva, 84105, Israel.

(1) Background: Ben-Gurion University (BGU)in Beer-Sheva opened a special program for training junior academic administrative personnel who can improve the quality of service in health care organizations through suitable and high-quality administration. The program, the first of its kind in Israel, has been in operation since 1994, providing 50 candidates for administrative positions within the health system per year. (2) Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine integration of 224 graduates of the undergraduate program in Health Systems Management (HSM) within the health system in Israel, including employment trends and evaluation of the program in retrospect. (3) Methodology: Questionnaires were sent to all graduates of the program, Participants were requested to answer questions regarding their present place of employment and the academic degree. (4) Findings: In 2002 – at the time of the survey – 42% of all graduates were currently employed within the health system. Most of those who entered the system and who remained there were women (83%). It should be noted that while there is some migration of graduates to work in other systems and sectors of the economy, 78% of the respondents believe the degree program in HSM is justified. (5) Conclusions: The graduates of the undergraduate program in HSM have integrated well into the health system, but not as good as they could have. The graduates encountered difficulties in their absorption into management roles in the public health system and feel that the extent of their abilities has yet to be fully recognized and utilized by the system.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Describe the trends and orientation, the degree to which undergraduate degree Health Systems Management alumni have integrated into the private and public health system in the State of Israel.
• Evaluate the relevance of an undergraduate-level academic training program and its suitability to the actual needs of junior level administrators in the Israeli health system.

Keywords: Management, Training

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.