DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH MANAGEMENT
In the field of health, rapid developments are occurring both in our country and around the world. Alongside this, resources allocated to health are increasing not only in Turkey but globally. As populations continue to age, there is a growing need for healthcare professionals across a broad range of fields and levels. Today, with healthcare services being provided by both public and private sectors, competition is increasing significantly. This competitive environment necessitates that healthcare institutions be managed by professionals who have received specialized education in health management.
The aim of the Department of Health Management at Bezmialem Vakıf University Faculty of Health Sciences is to educate mid- and senior-level professional health managers for both public and private healthcare institutions operating in today's competitive environment, as well as to conduct research in this field.
GENERAL INFORMATION AND PURPOSE
Worldwide, not only in Turkey, the demand for healthcare professionals is rising due to the aging population and the expansion of healthcare services. This situation creates a need for institutions to be managed by professionals trained specifically in the healthcare field. The department aims to train the mid- and upper-level managers required by public and private health institutions and to contribute with scientific research. The healthcare sector is undergoing rapid changes globally, and resources allocated to health are continuously increasing.
MAIN RESEARCH AREAS
With the growing role of the private sector in providing healthcare services alongside the public sector, the level of competition has significantly increased. In this context, the department focuses on several core research areas:
- Total Quality Management in Healthcare Organizations
- Performance Management (Efficiency/Effectiveness) in Healthcare Institutions
- Health Economics and Competitive Sectoral Analysis
WHAT DOES THE DEPARTMENT OFFER TO ITS GRADUATES?
Bezmialem Vakıf University Faculty of Health Sciences Department of Health Management offers its graduates the following opportunities:
- In today's globalized world, healthcare is one of the first sectors in Turkey to attain international significance. One of the most crucial needs of the sector is mid- and upper-level managers proficient in English. The department supports and enhances this skill through domestic and international student exchange programs.
- It offers students the opportunity to benefit from the knowledge and experience of the university's Medical Faculty Hospital—one of the most prominent hospitals in Turkey—through internships and practical training throughout the four-year education.
- It provides the essential foundational knowledge for future senior healthcare executives, meeting the demand created by the thousands of hospitals, clinics, and health organizations across the country.
- Additionally, it equips students with management, accounting, cost analysis, basic legal knowledge, general health and insurance system knowledge needed to manage organizations across various sectors.
HEALTH MANAGER
Definition
A health manager is responsible for organizing and overseeing hospital operations, ensuring the provision of necessary staff, tools, and equipment for departments, preparing budgets, and determining patient care service fees.
Duties
- Identifies and meets institutional needs to ensure efficient operation.
- Oversees purchasing, storage, and distribution of goods and supplies.
- Reviews daily meal plans and ensures timely delivery of food items to the kitchen.
- Ensures maintenance and repair of medical devices, equipment, and buildings.
- Organizes and supervises the work of administrative units.
- Defines the duties, powers, and responsibilities of administrative staff in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Ensures safety precautions are in place and fulfills civil defense roles in emergencies (earthquakes, fires, floods, etc.) if no civil defense expert is present.
- Prepares and submits periodic statistics, outpatient and lab work schedules accurately and on time.
- Reports infectious disease cases and fatalities to the relevant health authority promptly.
- Assesses current and future hospital bed requirements and conducts necessary studies.
Required Personal Qualities
Those who wish to become health managers should be:
- Highly verbal and communicative
- Interested in social sciences, particularly economics
- Persuasive and leadership-oriented
- Able to establish strong interpersonal relationships
- Visionary and open to innovation
- Comfortable with administrative tasks
- Careful and responsible individuals
Working Conditions
Health managers typically work in administrative offices of public or private hospitals. They often work in an office environment and are in constant interaction with the chief physician and their subordinates.
DURATION AND CONTENT OF EDUCATION
The education duration for this profession is four years. During this period, students receive general culture courses along with specialized subjects, including:
- General Business Administration
- Hospital Administration and Organization
- Management Science
- Healthcare Services Management
- Behavioral Sciences
- Public Relations
- Accounting and Cost Accounting
- Hospital Cost Accounting
- Introduction to Law, Administrative Law, Business Law, Health Law
- Macroeconomics and Microeconomics
- Health Economics
- Nutrition
- Biostatistics
Students also receive training in management, human relations, personnel management, and cost control. A four-month internship in healthcare institutions, especially hospitals, is mandatory.
Upon completion of the program, graduates are awarded a “Bachelor's Degree" and the title “Health Manager."
EMPLOYMENT AREAS AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Health management has recently gained recognition as a profession in Turkey. With the rapid increase in the number of private hospitals, there is growing demand for qualified health managers.
CAREER ADVANCEMENT
Graduates may pursue postgraduate (master's and doctoral) studies and build academic careers, becoming research assistants, associate professors, or professors at universities. After completing their professional education, graduates begin working in administrative units of healthcare institutions as specialist staff. Based on performance and experience, they may be promoted to assistant manager or manager positions.
