This thesis applied the decision support mechanism, Q-Methodology, to an integrated model of issues management and strategic planning. This approach was applied at Riverview Hospital in Noblesville, Indiana in order to respond to the health care reform issue.The research approach involved the three primary stakeholder groups of the hospital: Board of Directors, physicians and managers. The three groups, representing 56 people, attended a planning retreat and identified Riverview's planning options in the form of 77 statements representing future program or service options. These 77 statements were then ranked using Q-methodology.The findings of the study included a QMETHOD computer and researcher analysis of the statements from the perspective of the total group and also the three factors.The final result was a list of statements that comprised Riverview's response to the reform issue in the form of corporate goals and objectives. The conclusions of the study show that:--The integrated approach did provide focus to the strategic planning process. The final list of objectives were all related to the health reform proposal.--Q-Methodology was an appropriate decision support mechanism. It not only provided the final list of corporate objectives but clearly identified potential support and resistance.--A viable set of corporate objectives was developed to respond to the health reform proposal.--All of the stakeholder groups unanimously approved the final list of statements (objectives) in a formal voting process. / Department of Journalism