Essentials of Strategic Planning in Healthcare introduces readers to the factors influencing the strategic planning process in hospitals and other health services institutions. Structured around a comprehensive case study and accompanying end-of-chapter exercises, this text places readers in the planner"s seat, asking them to apply what they have learned to lead the hospital in the case study to success.Topics covered include: The role leadership plays in strategic planning Organizational factors critical to strategic planning Completing a SWOT analysis Analytical tools that support strategic planning key data sources available to planners Strategic opportunities presented by pay-for-performance initiatives Communicating the strategic plan to multiple stakeholders Linking the strategic plan to operating performance Physician involvement in strategic planning Strategic planning initiatives across the continuum of care Hospital-physician integration models Factors affecting strategic planning in the post-acute care industry The relationship between healthcare value and strategic planning