Survey: legal and strategic consulting most in demand.

What consulting services are health care CEOs using? Hospitals magazine teamed up with the American Association of Healthcare Consultants to find out. The 723 CEOs who responded say legal assistance and strategic planning are today's top consulting areas. CEOs who were asked to comment on the survey results were not surprised that legal assistance topped the list. The trend toward hiring more outside attorneys "is a reflection of the multiplicity of issues hospitals face in the legal arena", says Ronald Aldrich, president and CEO of Franciscan Health System, Chadds Ford, PA. Why are CEOs placing so much emphasis on strategic planning? The answer is simple, say executives: Hospitals are trying to find ways to survive difficult times.