Reference List

The Board of Governors exam covers 10 knowledge areas, is not based on the memorization of specific facts, and is not linked to specific books or reference materials. Candidates are responsible for demonstrating proficiency in the knowledge areas identified as pivotal for the practice of healthcare management. (Click here for a description of the knowledge areas.) Study aids can help candidates gain an understanding of the topics covered on the exam. However, candidates are responsible for keeping up to date on any relevant changes or significant developments in the healthcare management field. Candidates should prepare for the exam using reference materials that they deem appropriate and necessary. Following is a list of books that focus on various knowledge areas; however, the list is not exhaustive. For your convenience, links to descriptions of books published by ACHE's Health Administration Press are provided.

Governance

• Board Works: Governing Health Care Organizations, by Dennis D. Pointer and James E. Orlikoff
• Practical Governance, by J. Larry Tyler, FACHE, FAAHC, and Errol L. Biggs, Ph.D., FACHE
• The Trustee Handbook for Health Care Governance, Second Edition, by James E. Orlikoff and Mary K. Totten

Human Resources

• Human Resources in Healthcare: Managing for Success, Second Edition, edited by Bruce J. Fried, Ph.D., and James A. Johnson, Ph.D.

See also individual chapters in the following books:

• Chapter 19, Haimann's Healthcare Management, Ninth Edition, edited by Rose T. Dunn, FACHE
• Chapter 11, Managing Health Services Organizations and Systems, Sixth Edition, by Beaufort B. Longest, Jr.; Jonathon S. Rakich; and Kurt J. Darr, J.D., Sc.D., FACHE
• Chapter 16, The Well-Managed Healthcare Organization, Seventh Edition, by John R.Griffith, FACHE, and Kenneth R. White, Ph.D., FACHE

Finance

• Essentials of Health Care Finance, Seventh Edition, by William I. Cleverley, James O. Cleverley, and Paula H. Sung
• The Financial Management of Hospitals and Healthcare Organization, Fifth Edition, by Michael Nowicki, Ed.D., FACHE
• Healthcare Finance: An Introduction to Accounting and Financial Management, Fifth Edition, by Louis C. Gapenski, Ph.D.
• Understanding Healthcare Financial Management, Sixth Edition, by George H. Pink, Ph.D

Healthcare Technology and Information Management

• The CEO's Guide to Health Care Information Systems, Second Edition, by Joseph M. Deluca and Rebecca Enmark
• Information Systems for Healthcare Management, Eighth Edition, by Detlev H. Smaltz, PhD, FACHE, FHIMSS; Gerald L. Glandon, PhD; Donna J. Slovensky, PhD, RHIA, FAHIMA

Quality and Performance Improvement

• Applying Quality Management in Healthcare: A Systems Approach, Third Edition, by Diane L. Kelly, DrPH, RN
• Continuous Quality Improvement in Health Care, Third Edition by Curtis P. McLaughlin and Arnold D. Kaluzny
• Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century, Committee on Quality of Health Care in America, Institute of Medicine
• Error Reduction in Health Care, Second Edition, by Patrice L. Spath
• To Err Is Human: Building a Safer Health System, edited by Linda T. Kohn, Janet M. Corrigan, and Molla S. Donaldson; Committee on Quality of Health Care in America, Institute of Medicine

Laws and Regulations

• Contemporary Issues in Healthcare Law and Ethics, Third Edition, by Dean M. Harris, J.D.
• Managing HIPAA Compliance, by Scott C. Withrow, J.D.
• The Law of Healthcare Administration, Sixth Edition, by J. Stuart Showalter, J.D.

Professionalism and Ethics

• Contemporary Issues in Healthcare Law and Ethics, Third Edition, by Dean M. Harris, J.D.
• Ethics in Health Services Management, Fifth Edition, by Kurt J. Darr, J.D., Sc.D., FACHE
• Health Care Ethics, Second Edition, by John F. Monagle and David C. Thomasma
• Organizational Ethics in Health Care, by Philip J. Boyle, Edwin R. DuBose, Stephen J. Ellingson, David E. Guinn, and David B. McCurdy
• The Tracks We Leave: Ethics in Healthcare Management, Second Edition, by Frankie Perry, R.N., FACHE (R)

Healthcare

• Delivering Health Care in America, Fifth Edition, by Leiyu Shi and Douglas A. Singh
• Essentials of Managed Health Care, Sixth Edition, by Peter R. Kongstvedt
• Understanding the U.S. Health Services System, Fourth Edition, by Phoebe Lindsey Barton, Ph.D.

Management and Business

• Haimann's Healthcare Management, Ninth Edition, by Rose T. Dunn, FACHE
• Healthcare Strategic Planning, Third Edition, by Alan M. Zuckerman, FACHE, FAAHC
• Health Services Management: Readings and Commentary, Tenth Edition, by Anthony R. Kovner, Ph.D., and Duncan Neuhauser, Ph.D.
• The Leader's Change Handbook, by Jay A. Conger, Gretchen M. Spreitzer, and Edward E. Lawler III (This book contains chapters covering several knowledge areas.)
• Leadership for the Future: Core Competencies in Healthcare, by Austin Ross, LFACHE; Frederic J. Wenzel; and Joseph W. Mitlyng
• Managing Health Services Organizations and Systems, Sixth Edition, by Beaufort B. Longest, Jr.; Jonathon S. Rakich; and Kurt J. Darr, J.D., Sc.D., FACHE
• Mastering the Negotiation Process: A Practical Guide for the Healthcare Executive, by Christopher L. Laubach
• The Well-Managed Healthcare Organization, Seventh Edition, by John R. Griffith, FACHE, and Kenneth R. White, Ph.D., FACHE

To assist you in preparing for the exam, ACHE offers a comprehensive Reference Manual (PDF) for download. (If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, click here.)

You may also take part in the Online Tutorial; click here for more information on this interactive resource.

In addition, Health Administration Press has assembled a collection of books to supplement the Reference Manual and help you prepare for the exam. Click here for more information or to purchase the set!