Academic survival through mission-based management.

This article summarizes the DeLisa lecture and 3-day course of the same name offered at the 2001 Annual Association of Academic Physiatrists Educational Conference, in Hilton Head, South Carolina. The authors briefly discuss the historical school of medicine management approach and the rationale behind mission-based management. The three components of mission-based management are then reviewed along with issues pertaining to their development, implementation, and utilization. Finally, potential operational and political obstacles related to mission-based management are discussed, and recommendations for avoiding political difficulties are presented.