Home
Blog
General
Top 10 Must-Read Books on Healthcare Management You Can't Miss!

Top 10 Must-Read Books on Healthcare Management You Can't Miss!

Q: 1. What are the best books on healthcare management for aspiring healthcare leaders?

Some top books for aspiring healthcare leaders include Becoming an Effective Leader in Healthcare Management: The 12 Essential Skills by Len Sperry, which focuses on leadership development, and Reaching Excellence in Healthcare Management by the American College of Healthcare Executives, which offers strategies for improving organizational culture and management practices.

Q: 2. How can books on healthcare management help improve patient care?

Books like The Healthcare Quality Book provide actionable strategies for enhancing patient safety and improving care quality. By learning about quality improvement models and performance metrics, healthcare professionals can apply best practices to improve patient outcomes and overall care delivery.

Q: 3. Are there books that focus on the financial aspects of healthcare management?

Yes, books like Jonas and Kovner's Health Care Delivery in the United States cover the financial structures and policies that affect healthcare organizations. Additionally, Healthcare Operations Management by Daniel McLaughlin addresses cost control and resource allocation, which are critical to financial efficiency in healthcare settings.

Q: 4. Can books on healthcare management help me streamline hospital operations?

Absolutely! Books like Healthcare Operations Management, Fourth Edition provide tools for managing hospital resources, optimizing patient flow, and improving operational efficiency. These practical strategies can help healthcare administrators reduce waiting times and streamline processes.

Q: 5. How do books on healthcare management address ethical decision-making in healthcare?

Books like Five Days at Memorial delve into the complex ethical challenges healthcare professionals face during emergencies. By studying real-world scenarios, healthcare leaders can better prepare for ethical dilemmas and improve decision-making during crises or when resources are limited.

Q: 7. What role do books on healthcare management play in improving healthcare team dynamics?

Books like Becoming an Effective Leader in Healthcare Management help healthcare leaders build essential skills for managing teams. They offer guidance on communication, conflict resolution, and motivation—skills that are crucial for improving collaboration and performance among healthcare staff.

Q: 8. How can I use books on healthcare management to implement lean practices?

The Lean Prescription by Patricia A. Gabow and Philip L. Goodman is specifically designed to help healthcare organizations reduce waste and improve efficiency. By applying lean principles outlined in the book, healthcare administrators can streamline processes and reduce unnecessary costs while maintaining high-quality care.

Q: 9. How do books on healthcare management help with career development in healthcare?

Books like 101 Careers in Healthcare Management offer guidance on over 100 career paths in healthcare management. They help individuals understand the qualifications, skills, and responsibilities required for various roles, making it easier to plan and navigate career growth within the healthcare sector.

Q: 10. Can books on healthcare management help with the adoption of technology in healthcare?

Yes, books like The Healthcare Quality Book highlight the importance of technology in improving patient care and operational efficiency. They provide insights into how digital tools, such as EHR systems and telemedicine, can be effectively integrated into healthcare practices to enhance service delivery.

By upGrad

Updated on Jun 17, 2025 | 10 min read | 8.38K+ views

Did you know? AI-powered Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) is revolutionizing healthcare! By using wearable devices and sensors, doctors can now track vital health data remotely, enabling early detection of health issues and delivering personalized care, all without patients leaving their homes!

The best book to start with in healthcare management depends on your focus. If you're aiming to improve your healthcare administration skills, "The Healthcare Quality Book: Vision, Strategy, and Tools" by Maulik Joshi, Elizabeth Ransom, Scott Ransom, and David Nash is an excellent choice. It provides practical strategies for enhancing patient care and managing quality metrics, essential skills for any healthcare administrator.

In this blog, we’ll explore the top books on Healthcare Management, offering valuable insights and actionable advice to help you grow in your role.

Want to enhance your healthcare management skills in EHR systems, process optimization, and data-driven decision-making? upGrad’s Management Courses can equip you with tools and strategies to stay ahead. Enroll today!

Top Books on Healthcare Management in 2025

As a healthcare professional, you likely juggle operational challenges, staff coordination, patient care, and even customer relationship management (CRM) to ensure service delivery. But let’s face it, even the best can get overwhelmed.

These books on healthcare management provide structured frameworks to enhance leadership, streamline clinical workflows, and align CRM strategies with patient-centered objectives.

If you want to gain healthcare management skills in analytics, system design, and operational strategy, these upGrad courses can help you succeed.

Now, let’s dive into the top reads that will help you elevate your healthcare management game in 2025!

1. The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right

(Source: Amazon)

Author: Atul Gawande

Atul Gawande's book focuses on the importance of checklists in improving efficiency and reducing errors in healthcare settings. By drawing from diverse fields like medicine, aviation, and construction, Gawande demonstrates how even seasoned professionals can benefit from systematic approaches.

This book is highly recommended for healthcare professionals and administrators looking for practical tools to enhance patient safety and streamline care delivery. It’s a standout in the genre of books on healthcare management.

What problems does the book help solve?

Reduces medical errors in high-risk procedures.
Ensures consistency in complex tasks and improves team coordination.
Addresses the challenge of missing critical steps in patient care due to human error.

Practical Use Cases:

Use Case	How You Can Use It?
Surgical checklists	Ensure all necessary steps are followed during surgery to minimize errors using AI-assisted checklist validation.
Shift handovers	Use checklists integrated with machine learning tools to analyze past handover data and reduce information loss.
ICU management	Create standardized ICU checklists enhanced by AI to flag anomalies in patient data and improve care consistency.

Also read: AI in Healthcare: Market Size, Investment Growth & Patient Impact Stats

2. Five Days at Memorial: Life and Death in a Storm-Ravaged Hospital

IIIT Bangalore

Executive Diploma in Machine Learning and AI

Placement Assistance

Executive PG Program12 Months

O.P.Jindal Global University

MBA from O.P.Jindal Global University

Live Case Studies and Projects

Master's Degree12 Months

(Source: Amazon)

Author: Sheri Fink

Sheri Fink’s investigative work examines the ethical dilemmas and life-or-death decisions made by healthcare providers during Hurricane Katrina.

The book brings into sharp focus the challenges faced by hospital staff when overwhelmed by a disaster. Healthcare administrators and ethicists, particularly those in crisis management, will find this book valuable in understanding decision-making under extreme pressure.

What problems does the book help solve?

Lack of effective crisis management protocols during disasters.
Ethical dilemmas in making life-or-death decisions in extreme situations.
Insufficient disaster preparedness and resource management in healthcare facilities.

Practical Use Cases:

Use Case	How You Can Use It?
Crisis management plans	Design evacuation plans supported by Java-based hospital management systems that simulate emergency workflows and allocate resources effectively.
Ethical decision-making	Create digital triage tools using JavaScript to guide resource prioritization during disasters, incorporating real-time data inputs.
Disaster response training	Develop interactive simulations for staff to practice decision-making in high-pressure, disaster-response scenarios.

Also read: Machine Learning Applications in Healthcare: What Should We Expect?

3. Healthcare Operations Management, Fourth Edition

Popular upGrad Programs

SSBM Doctor of Business Administration Program Golden Gate University DBA Program Online Doctor of Business Administration in Generative AI Program DBA Degree from Rushford Business School Online DBA Program at Edgewood EdD Degree from Edgewood

(Source: Amazon)

Author: Daniel B. McLaughlin, John R. Olson, and Luv Sharma

This comprehensive guide provides healthcare leaders with essential tools for managing operations effectively, from patient flow to cost management and control. It serves as a foundational resource for those studying or working in healthcare management, offering practical strategies for improving operational performance.

For anyone involved in hospital administration or healthcare operations, this is one of the most relevant books on healthcare management available.

What problems does the book help solve?

Operational inefficiencies leading to delayed care and poor patient outcomes.
Inadequate resource allocation and unnecessary costs in healthcare settings.
Poor patient flow management and long waiting times in emergency departments.

Practical Use Cases:

Use Case	How You Can Use It?
Optimize ER flow	Use IAM-governed systems and RBAC to manage real-time access to ER data, improving triage speed and patient throughput.
Cost control	Use IAM-integrated financial platforms to restrict access to sensitive cost data and workflows.
Resource allocation	Streamline resource use in your facility to improve efficiency.

4. The Healthcare Quality Book: Vision, Strategy, and Tools (5th Edition)

(Source: Amazon)

Author: Maulik Joshi, Elizabeth Ransom, Scott Ransom, and David Nash

Focused on healthcare quality improvement, this book offers actionable strategies and tools for improving patient care, managing quality metrics, and complying with regulatory standards. It is designed for healthcare leaders and quality improvement specialists seeking to elevate the standards of care within their organizations.

This is an important read for anyone seeking knowledge from books on healthcare management, particularly in the area of patient safety and quality assurance.

What problems does the book help solve?

Fragmented quality improvement efforts across healthcare institutions.
Difficulty in measuring and maintaining high standards of patient care.
Challenges in aligning healthcare teams towards consistent quality goals.

Practical Use Cases:

Use Case	How You Can Use It?
Patient safety programs	Use predictive analysis to identify high-risk patients and implement targeted safety audits to proactively prevent clinical errors.
Departmental goals	Set and track quality improvement targets across departments.
Measure performance	Use the book's tools to monitor and enhance patient care outcomes.

Also read: Predictive Modelling in Business Analytics: Detailed Analysis

5. Jonas and Kovner's Health Care Delivery in the United States, 12th Edition

(Source: Amazon)

Author: James R. Knickman

This book offers an in-depth analysis of the U.S. healthcare system, including its policies, structures, and delivery models. Indian healthcare professionals can use this book to compare the U.S. system with India's growing healthcare sector, identifying best practices for improving care quality and efficiency.

The challenges discussed, such as cost management and accessibility, are relevant to India’s own healthcare reform efforts. Healthcare administrators and students in India can gain insights into the global healthcare field to inform local policy and operational strategies.

What problems does the book help solve?

Difficulty in understanding complex healthcare systems like the U.S. model.
Lack of clarity on how to adapt global healthcare practices to local contexts.
Financial and policy inefficiencies in healthcare systems impacting service delivery.

Practical Use Cases:

Use Case	How You Can Use It?
Compare health systems	Use Python-based data analysis to benchmark U.S. and Indian healthcare KPIs for identifying scalable best practices.
Develop value-based care	Use Scala for processing patient outcome datasets and building frameworks focused on value-driven service delivery.
Cost management	Adapt cost-reduction strategies from the U.S. system to improve local care.

Also read: Difference between Cost Accounting and Management Accounting

6. Reaching Excellence in Healthcare Management American College of Healthcare Executives

Author: American College of Healthcare Executives

This book provides strategies for achieving excellence in healthcare leadership, focusing on key areas such as organizational culture, strategic planning, and patient care. It's a great resource for executives and aspiring leaders who want to improve their skills and drive change within their organizations.

This is one of the essential books on healthcare management that offers guidance for both novice and experienced healthcare leaders.

What problems does the book help solve?

Lack of strong leadership in healthcare organizations.
Poor management practices leading to ineffective team dynamics and care delivery.
Insufficient strategic planning and vision to drive healthcare improvement.

Practical Use Cases:

Use Case	How You Can Use It?
Leadership programs	Develop cloud-based leadership training modules using AWS infrastructure to ensure scalable, organization-wide access for senior staff.
Cultural change	Use Azure-powered communication and collaboration tools for transparency and reinforce a patient-centered culture.
Strategic planning	Use the book’s frameworks to set long-term goals for your facility.

To manage scalable healthcare infrastructures and deploy secure, interoperable systems, check out upGrad's Cloud Engineering Bootcamp. The bootcamp provides you expertise in networking, security, DevOps, along with proficiency in AWS, Azure, and more.

7. The Lean Prescription: Powerful Medicine for Our Ailing Healthcare System

(Source: Amazon)

Author: Patricia A. Gabow and Philip L. Goodman

Focusing on the application of lean principles in healthcare, this book discusses how hospitals and clinics can reduce waste, improve processes, and enhance patient care. Healthcare administrators and professionals in operational roles will benefit from the practical insights offered to streamline operations and lower costs.

This is a vital resource in the category of books on healthcare management, particularly for those interested in improving operational efficiency.

What problems does the book help solve?

Operational waste and inefficiency in healthcare organizations.
High healthcare costs due to redundant processes and unused resources.
Poor patient experience caused by delays and system inefficiencies.

Practical Use Cases:

Use Case	How You Can Use It?
Reduce operational waste	Use Apache Spark to analyze workflow data at scale and identify redundant tasks for lean optimization.
Enhance patient discharge	Develop Go-based microservices to automate discharge steps, minimizing delays and ensuring real-time updates across departments.
Improve supply chain	Use lean tools to reduce waste and optimize inventory.

8. Becoming an Effective Leader in Healthcare Management: The 12 Essential Skills

(Source: Amazon)

Author: Len Sperry

Len Sperry’s book outlines twelve leadership skills that are necessary for success in healthcare management. It covers a broad range of leadership competencies, including communication, decision-making, and emotional intelligence, crucial for managing teams and patient care.

Aspiring and current healthcare leaders will find this a valuable resource in developing the leadership abilities needed to succeed in the healthcare field.

What problems does the book help solve?

Lack of essential leadership skills required for effective healthcare management.
Poor decision-making and conflict resolution in healthcare teams.
Insufficient motivation and engagement among healthcare staff.

Practical Use Cases:

Use Case	How You Can Use It?
Strengthen decision-making	Use HTML-based decision trees with interactive CSS elements to visualize outcomes and guide clinical or managerial choices.
Team collaboration	Improve communication and trust within your healthcare team.
Staff motivation	Use the book’s strategies to boost staff morale and retention.

Also read: Leadership Styles Cheat Sheet: When to Use Transformational, Servant, or Authoritative Leadership

9. 101 Careers in Healthcare Management, Second Edition

(Source: Amazon)

Author: Leonard H. Friedman and Anthony R. Kovner

This book highlights over 100 different career paths within healthcare management, detailing the skills and qualifications needed for each role.

Whether you are just entering the healthcare field or seeking a career change, this guide provides helpful insights into the diverse opportunities available in the industry. It's an excellent resource for those exploring career options in healthcare management.

What problems does the book help solve?

Uncertainty around career paths in healthcare management.
Lack of guidance for transitioning between roles within healthcare management.
Limited understanding of role-specific requirements and responsibilities in healthcare leadership.

Practical Use Cases:

Use Case	How You Can Use It?
Career path planning	Build a responsive career mapping portal to help employees explore healthcare roles and required skills.
Career transition	Use Docker-based virtual environments to simulate role-specific tasks and support hands-on learning during transitions.
Job description clarity	Design standardized job templates using Bootstrap and deploy them via Docker containers for consistent role communication across departments.

Also read: Top 5 Types of Leadership in Management

10. Health Care Operations Management: A Systems Perspective

(Source: Amazon)

Author: James R. Langabeer II and Jeffrey Helton

Langabeer’s book takes a systems approach to healthcare operations, emphasizing process optimization, patient flow, and cost control. It offers case studies that demonstrate how healthcare organizations have successfully improved their operations.

This book is essential for healthcare managers and those in operational roles who want to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of their systems, making it one of the key books on healthcare management in the current field.

What problems does the book help solve?

Operational inefficiencies and bottlenecks in healthcare systems.
Lack of integrated systems for improving patient care and managing resources.
Difficulty in measuring and improving hospital-wide operational performance.

Practical Use Cases:

Use Case	How You Can Use It?
Improve patient scheduling	Combine C++ algorithms for scheduling logic with a ReactJS front-end for an interactive, real-time appointment booking system.
Enhance ER performance	Use case studies to improve emergency department efficiency.
Operational performance	Implement performance metrics to track and improve overall hospital operations.

To build responsive healthcare dashboards and streamline operational workflows, gaining expertise in ReactJS is essential. Check out upGrad’s React.js For Beginners. The 14-hour free program will help you learn the fundamentals of React components, analytical skills, and more, critical for managing modern healthcare establishments.

After exploring books on Healthcare Management, it's essential to understand how to integrate technology in the field for improved efficiency and outcomes.

Integrating Technology in Healthcare Management

Integrating technology into healthcare management is essential for improving efficiency and patient care.

For example, Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) in India implemented a Hospital Management and Information System (HMIS), streamlining patient registration and managing electronic health records. This technology enhanced operations in pharmacies and ICUs while improving patient flow through tools like Queue Management Systems and an E-Health app.

To achieve similar success, focus on the following key areas:

Adopting Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems
Example: The Cleveland Clinic in the U.S. uses the Epic EHR system to manage patient data across its hospitals, ensuring quick access to medical history, test results, and treatment plans, which improves both efficiency and patient care.
Utilizing data analytics for decision-making
Example: Mount Sinai Health System in New York uses data analytics to predict patient outcomes and streamline hospital operations. Using predictive modeling, they can allocate resources more effectively and improve patient care based on real-time data.
Investing in telemedicine and remote care tools
Example: Teladoc Health provides virtual healthcare services worldwide, allowing patients to consult doctors remotely for a variety of health concerns, ensuring accessibility for patients in rural areas or those unable to visit a clinic.
Implementing AI and machine learning for diagnostics
Example: Zebra Medical Vision uses AI to analyze medical imaging, helping radiologists detect diseases like cancer, cardiovascular conditions, and liver diseases with greater accuracy, improving diagnosis speed and reducing human error.
Enhancing patient engagement through digital platforms
Example: The MyChart app by Epic Systems allows patients to schedule appointments, access medical records, and communicate with healthcare providers, enhancing engagement and improving patient satisfaction by making healthcare services more accessible.

Integrating technology in healthcare management boosts efficiency, enhances patient care, and streamlines decision-making through tools like EHR, AI, and telemedicine. These advancements are key for thriving in the dynamic healthcare industry.

Also Read: 12+ Machine Learning Applications Enhancing The Healthcare Sector In 2025

With the foundational knowledge from the top books on Healthcare Management, upGrad can help you apply these insights and enhance your practical expertise in the field.

How upGrad Can Enhance Your Expertise in Healthcare Management?

Books like The Healthcare Quality Book teach you strategies to improve patient care and manage quality metrics, while Healthcare Operations Management offers essential tools for optimizing hospital operations and reducing costs. These books give you strong theoretical knowledge, but practical application is key to real-world success.

upGrad’s specialized courses go beyond theory, offering hands-on learning and expert-led training in leadership, operations, and healthcare technology. Our programs ensure you can apply the insights from these books to improve healthcare management practices in real-world settings.

Here are some additional courses to help you alongside books on Healthcare Management:

Struggling to apply healthcare management theory in real-world settings? Get personalized guidance from upGrad’s experts. You can also visit our offline centres for more support!

Enhance your expertise with our Popular MBA Courses. Explore the programs below to find your ideal fit.

Explore our Popular MBA Courses

Master of Business Administration from Golden Gate University	Master of Business Administration (MBA) Liverpool Business School	MBA from Deakin Business School
MBA in Digital Marketing from Dekin University	Executive MBA from SSBM	View all MBA Courses

Expand your knowledge with our Popular Articles Related to MBA. Browse the programs below to discover your ideal match.

Read Our Popular Articles Related to MBA

Financial Analyst Salary – Freshers and Experienced	Top Interview Questions and Answers for HR	Free Finance Courses Online With Certification[2025]
Best Career Options In USA After MBA In Human Resource	MBA Salary in India [For Freshers & Experienced]	Highest Paying Finance Jobs in 2025: Average to Highest
Top 7 Career Options in Finance in the USA : Must Read	Top 10 MBA Books to Upskill	MBA Salary in USA [All Specializations]

References:
https://arxiv.org/abs/2301.10009
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/smcs-new-hmis-has-handled-89119-patients-so-far/articleshow/121736651.cms
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5879514/
https://consultqd.clevelandclinic.org/how-cleveland-clinics-ehr-transformation-ensures-the-delivery-of-world-class-care-everywhere
https://reports.mountsinai.org/article/px2023-05-equity-data-strategy
https://www.teladochealth.com/
https://www.weforum.org/organizations/zebra-medical-vision
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpqIB7ovoic
https://www.mychart.org

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the best books on healthcare management for aspiring healthcare leaders?

2. How can books on healthcare management help improve patient care?

3. Are there books that focus on the financial aspects of healthcare management?

4. Can books on healthcare management help me streamline hospital operations?

5. How do books on healthcare management address ethical decision-making in healthcare?

6. Which books on healthcare management are best for understanding healthcare policy?

7. What role do books on healthcare management play in improving healthcare team dynamics?

8. How can I use books on healthcare management to implement lean practices?

9. How do books on healthcare management help with career development in healthcare?

10. Can books on healthcare management help with the adoption of technology in healthcare?

11. What are some recommended books on healthcare management for those interested in improving hospital leadership?

upGrad

528 articles published

We are an online education platform providing industry-relevant programs for professionals, designed and delivered in collaboration with world-class faculty and businesses. Merging the latest technolo...

Get Free Consultation

By submitting, I accept the T&C and
Privacy Policy

Top Resources