How to use case studies: continuity cases vs. one-shot cases.
Cases are a widely used instructional technique in health services administration education. This article discusses the merits of using cases in graduate education and identifies two types of cases, one-shot cases and continuity cases. The continuity case has many advantages for professional education. In particular it requires the students to recognize and cope with the interactions among decisions. Continuity cases are good vehicles both for instruction and for evaluation of students' competence. The supply of good continuity cases, however, is very limited. Consequently, despite the advantages of this type of case, instructors must consider using a blend of continuity and one-shot cases. Suggestions for the mix of cases within a curriculum are presented.
Department of Health Services Management and Policy, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052.
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Reeves
D000328:Adult; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D004500:Education, Graduate / Q000379:methods; D006302:Health Services Research; D006739:Hospital Administration / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D010934:Planning Techniques; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States