Health Services Planning provides the reader with an understanding
of the key concepts related to the planning process and offers
step-by-step guidelines for developing any type of plan for a community,
a health system or an organization. The author addresses the challenge
of health planning at both the community level and within the healthcare
organization. In addition, the book provides detailed guidance on the
development of strategic plans, business plans, and marketing plans.
The book provides background on the sociocultural context for health
planning and the nature of the demand for health services. Resource
material is provided on the research process necessary to support
planning activities and sources of data for health planning.
Illustrative material is provided through boxes and exhibits throughout
the text. An extensive appendix provides examples of various types of
plans drawn from the experiences of the author. A glossary provides the
reader with definitions of key terms.
Readers will gain an appreciation of the importance of planning for the
orderly development of health services at the community or organization
level. The necessary skills will be learned to allow the reader to
formulate plans or, at the least, be able to intelligently discuss the
planning process with other health professionals. Health Services
Planning is a useful textbook in health administration programs, as
well as a resource to health professionals in both public and private
sector healthcare organizations who need to have an understanding of the
planning process.
