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Two days of Value-based Primary Care
25 February 2021
BLOG POST WRITTEN BY PROF. FEDERICO LEGA & DR. ANTONI PERSI GRAO, trainers of the EHMA Executive Workshop
Written by Prof Federico Lega and Dr Antoni Peris, trainers of the executive workshop on ‘Value-based primary care’.
Primary care has been identified as a priority for health systems since the WHO Alma-Ata Declaration of 1978. Yet, most health systems have struggled to build their primary care systems, as hospitals have continuously dominated the scene. Demographic changes and professional shortage are pushing health providers to consider new ways of organising care services. In the recent Astana Conference, the WHO confirmed the critical role of primary care and its relevance as a cornerstone for the whole healthcare system. This leads to pondering to what extent primary care services can fully or even partially, solve problems detected in communities. Different models have evolved in western countries; nevertheless, the persistence of solo practices or doctor-centred services are at stake. Now, times are mature for a revolution, with the knowledge and capacity to build and manage reconfigured primary care systems. This appears to be the only chance to make health systems really sustainable, and more effective in delivering value for patients, communities and societies.
In the two-day workshop, the latest frameworks and experiences on how primary care systems have been and need to be developed in modern health systems were presented and discussed. Participants looked in-depth at concepts and actions connected to new roles for healthcare professionals, population health management, chronic care, personalised care, patients’ experience, co-creation and co-production of health services, intermediate care, and continuum of care.
Specific focus has been placed on how new paradigms are emerging in the ‘new normality’ of health systems also considering the COVID-19 pandemic, and how they are translated into practice, looking for services in a dual-track, answering both the needs of those affected by the virus and the rest of community and chronic patients. That means the active engagement of general practitioners, nurses and other health professionals working in community services: from Starfield’s Primary Care essentials to Bodenheimer’s building blocks, from solo practitioners to multidisciplinary and multi-professional teamwork, managing patients as clients and new meanings to patient-centeredness. Comparison of experiences has been discussed, with a specific focus on the Catalan case of CASAP and the Italia Lombardy Region experimental reform based on proactive population health management, Chronic Related Groups (CReGs) and individual care plans.
All in all, the workshop has highlighted the ‘renaissance’ that primary care is having and should have in all health systems, as it could be inspired and deeply transformed by the new paradigms that are emerging within the health sector and so leading the way toward real patient-centred care. Furthermore, it was very refreshing to see how a diverse audience (academia, practitioners, industry, consultants) was converging on the importance of patient experience as the key area for the primary care of the future. Times are now mature to achieve the next level, shifting primary care from being the sum of services delivered by uncoordinated professionals to a system organized around a clear vision and ambition.
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What our Members say
I have been active in EHMA since the first years of the '90s and I have seen its evolution from a small association of members interested in sharing knowledge on health management practices to the current status of reference and advisory key player for EU, health systems and organisations, stakeholders associations, industry and universities. EHMA is now a unique knowledge hub, policy advisor, community of practice and network of best in class organisations involved in health policy and management. A place where health managers can build their competences, policy-makers and stakeholder associations envision how to implement and sustain change through health management, industry leaders understand how to engage more effectively with health organisations and systems. The right place to nurture and grow health management capabilities and capacity for every stakeholder of health systems.
Prof. Federico Lega, University of Milan, Italy
Health management has a crucial function in shaping public health and health system challenges. The Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria had success in collaborating with EHMA on EU-funded projects that has resourced us to create new health management competencies for the future workforce. In addition to all classical definitions, health management is a science dealing with individuals, groups, and society at large. It is an art contributing to the beauty of our lives and an interactive communication process at all levels of institutions and human energy. I have also had the pleasure to chair the South Eastern European Special Interest Group which gives members a space to discuss and tools to address how health systems are managed in our regions.
Prof. Todorka Kostadinova, Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria
I enjoy the high level of interaction and engagement in EHMA’s activities, in particular during the annual conference where the panel discussions are rich and well prepared. As a hospital manager and professor of health management, EHMA motivates and inspires me to be creative. You go back home feeling energised from seeing old friends and making new connections, as well as being convinced of serving as EHMA’s ambassador. It’s a strong feeling of interdisciplinary engagement, but it also feels like being part of family-like community.
Prof. Sandra C. Buttigieg, University of Malta, Malta
EHMA is a pre-eminent organisation for everyone working in planning, managing and delivering health services across Europe. As a long standing member of EHMA I have always been impressed by the vibrant community of managers, researchers and academics it has created and by the many opportunities for sharing knowledge and funding opportunities it has brought to its members. Its international scope is impressive and its impact is often felt in management and research across European and national health systems.
Prof. Axel Kaehne, Edge Hill University, UK
Health workforce has become more essential in operating, managing and maintaining health systems lately, particularly in crisis and emergency situations. European healthcare professions and the workforce need to be high on the agenda of managers and decision makers. The Health Services Management Training Centre, Semmelweis University in Hungary is a longstanding EHMA member, because it connects us with collaborators and experts, with whom we can have complex debates, from whom we can learn and at the end find solutions in various challenging fields of healthcare management.
Dr Eszter Kovács, Health Services Management Training Centre, Semmelweis University, Hungary
As a hospital administrator and health management professor, I see on a daily basis that the healthcare challenges require talented and skilled managers to transform it. the EHMA membership has been beneficial to bring healthcare management research and education to the demanding healthcare services world, promoting healthcare management competencies and knowledge creation.
Dr Alexandre Lourenco, APAH - Association of Portuguese Hospital Managers, Portugal
Many healthcare systems in Europe and beyond are facing similar challenges which require innovative and creative solutions. EHMA’s annual conference, webinars, Programme Directors’ group and other activities and resources provide incredible opportunities for networking, connecting and sharing experiences. A distinct feature of EHMA is the diversity of members with representation from many countries, sectors and different communities of practice – academic, policy-makers, practitioners, managers, leaders and students. The annual conference is a highlight in the calendar year, offering a friendly, fun and learningful environment for emerging and established members to engage, collaborate and meet up with old and new friends. I am proud to be a member of the EHMA Board.
Prof. Ann Mahon, University of Manchester, UK
Society evolution, pandemics and ageing modify health needs. So, health policies and services are to change dramatically. EHMA, through webinars, workshops and annual conference provides an excellent insight to a professional changing world, favouring closeness to management innovation and the protagonists of these changes. As a primary care services’ manager, participating in EHMA activities is really worth it and allows to involve oneself in the innovation processes.
Dr Antoni Peris Grao, Consorci Castelldefels Agents de Salut (CASAP), Spain