INVESTOR-OWNED PSYCHIATRIC-HOSPITALS AND UNIVERSITIES - CAN THEIR MARRIAGE SUCCEED

Economic and competitive pressures have spurred a growing number of af filiations between university medical centers and for-profit health ca re corporations. University facilities can benefit from such partnersh ips through strengthened financial support, increased marketing and ad ministrative expertise, and economies of scale. The university connect ion gives the investor-owned hospital enhanced status, sends a message of clinical excellence, and involves the hospital in educational and research programs that aid in physician recruitment and further enhanc e its reputation. However, the university's goals of education, resear ch, and public service are not always compatible with the investor-own ed hospital's goal of maximizing profits. The authors review the benef its and problems that result from affiliations between university medi cal centers and investor-owned corporations and discuss principles to be considered in structuring such partnerships.