2027 DHA Literature Reviews: Connecting Evidence to a Practice Problem

Imed Bouchrika, PhD

by Imed Bouchrika, PhD

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

What is a DHA literature review, and how does it connect evidence to a practice problem?

A DHA literature review is a critical synthesis of research and other credible evidence relevant to a healthcare administration problem. Unlike an article-by-article summary, it compares findings, assesses their quality and applicability, and explains what remains uncertain. Its purpose is to support a defensible decision or applied doctoral project—not to prove that a preferred solution works.

Suppose a health system reports long waits for follow-up appointments after discharge. A useful review would define which patients and services are affected, examine evidence on scheduling, staffing, referral handoffs, and access barriers, then ask which findings transfer to that system. It might reveal that an intervention improved appointment availability elsewhere but did not measure whether patients attended. That distinction helps the student choose an outcome and avoid claiming more than the evidence supports.

A DHA is most relevant when this kind of sustained inquiry serves a leadership goal. Someone who primarily needs broad managerial training may find that healthcare management business degrees on a faster timetable better match their aim; an MBA is not a substitute for a DHA's doctoral research project.

Table of contents

How do you identify and define a healthcare administration problem of practice?

A problem of practice is a consequential, observable gap between current and desired performance in a real setting. Start with a concern that an organization can investigate, then narrow it by population, setting, timeframe, and outcome. "Improve patient access" is too broad; "reduce the time from discharge referral to the first available outpatient appointment for a defined patient group" gives the review a usable boundary.

Before selecting an intervention, check that the problem is supported by local data, matters to patients or operations, and falls within the organization's ability to influence. Separate the symptom—such as a delayed appointment—from possible causes, such as referral errors or limited capacity. Interviewing stakeholders and reviewing workflow can expose explanations that published studies alone will miss. Agree on a measure that distinguishes improvement from a change in reporting practice.

Match the problem to the leadership work you want to do. A project on access, for example, may build useful experience in operations and cross-team coordination, but it will not by itself qualify someone for every executive role. Readers comparing longer-term pathways can explore higher-paying healthcare administration careers while checking the experience each role requires.

What research methods help DHA students evaluate evidence for healthcare decisions?

DHA students may use quantitative methods to examine measures such as wait times, qualitative methods to understand staff or patient experiences, and mixed methods to connect outcomes with implementation. The appropriate method follows the question. A comparison of appointment delays before and after a workflow change cannot, by itself, establish that the change caused an improvement; other changes may have occurred at the same time.

Evaluate each source for study design, sample, setting, outcome definitions, bias, and relevance to the local population. Also distinguish peer-reviewed studies from quality-improvement reports: both may be informative, but they support different levels of confidence. If an intervention relies on electronic health record data, assess missing records, inconsistent coding, and who is excluded from the dataset.

Students whose work centers on health information systems may also find it useful to understand the distinct training offered by evaluating CAHIIM-accredited health information management schools; information-management preparation is not the same as a DHA research methods course.

How should you evaluate DHA accreditation, licensing, and professional certifications?

First, verify that the university holds recognized institutional accreditation and that the credential is a DHA. Then check any claims about programmatic accreditation against the accreditor's own scope and the specific program; institutional accreditation and specialized accreditation are not interchangeable. Ask employers whether they value a particular accreditation or doctoral project experience for the role you seek.

A DHA is an administration degree, not a clinical license. It does not grant permission to practice medicine, nursing, or another licensed profession. Professional certifications may help demonstrate expertise in a particular management function, but their eligibility rules and value depend on the credential and employer. Compare these requirements before committing to doctoral tuition. If a less advanced credential meets the goal, review costs of online healthcare administration degrees alongside their accreditation and career fit rather than choosing by degree level alone.

Other Things You Should Know About Healthcare Administration

Can a DHA student include unpublished organizational reports in a literature review?

Often, yes, if the program permits them and the student identifies their origin and limitations. Internal reports can establish local context, but they should not be presented as peer-reviewed evidence.

Can AI tools write or summarize sources for a DHA literature review?

Follow the university's AI policy. Verify every claimed finding against the original source, protect confidential information, and take responsibility for citations and interpretation.

Do students need patient-level data to study an administration problem?

Not always. Aggregated operational measures, workflow documents, or staff perspectives may answer a well-scoped question. Data access and privacy review depend on the project and institution.

What if the project site will not approve the proposed intervention?

Discuss an alternative scope with the advisor and site sponsor early. An evaluation of existing practice or a different feasible question may be possible, subject to program approval.