Academic Health Centers in a Changing Environment

To evaluate the potential problems facing academic health centers (AHCs) as a result of market-driven health care reforms, we conducted case studies of seven nationally prominent AHCs during 1994. Findings suggest that although AHCs were not yet feeling the predicted impact of competition on their financial health and ability to sustain their academic missions of teaching, research, and care of vulnerable populations, they were adopting a variety of strategies for responding to those perceived threats, especially networking and cost reduction. They were placing considerably less emphasis on restructuring their research and teaching missions to prepare for anticipated fiscal pressure. Our analysis suggests that even the most successful AHCs are likely to be fundamentally altered by the revolutionary changes occurring in health care markets.