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Better health systems and policies revealed from research and innovation
1 September 2020
Overview
The COVID-19 emergency has highlighted the importance of policymaking and research working together to have better outcomes. Research is key in supporting health systems and addressing challenges, identifying the areas that need improvement, and strengthening and facilitating the transfer of innovation between countries. COVID-19 has rapidly introduced changes in protocols, services, and transferability of successful innovations. However, even before this pandemic health systems faced common challenges including the increasing cost of healthcare; shortages and uneven distribution of health professionals; health inequalities and inequities in access to healthcare; and growing demand for healthcare from ageing populations and rises in chronic diseases and multi-morbidities. A framework that studies the importance of research implementation for service and policy innovation and to make innovation transferability effective has been developed by the TO-REACH project. Its Strategic Research Agenda has identified the key research areas that could help to effectively understand the health system’s capacity issues and overcome structural barriers. This webinar discussed what the TO-REACH framework is and how it can play a vital role in addressing COVID-19 challenges and highlight areas where we can put more effort and resources to achieve quality and equitable care. The national perspective of Romania was presented as an example, and we also heard about how stakeholders are being mobilised and coordinated throughout the European Union.
SPEAKERS
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Ms Sabrina Montante
Ms Sabrina Montante
Ms Sabrina Montante was appointed Senior Advisor for EU Affairs of the leading technical-scientific body of the Italian National Health Service, Istituto Superiore di Sanità in April 2016. She is a Brussels-based senior professional working in the EU Public Health policy field and EU Policies, Strategies and Funding on Health research and innovation She has worked in International and EU organisations, research entities, national and regional offices so far and has more than ten years experience in public policy, multi level governance and programme management. She is currently member of the coordinating team of the project TO REACH. Ms Montante earned a Master of Laws degree from University of Bologna and a Project and Programme Management Graduate degree from Boston University. She is currently enrolled in a Public Health Programme at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
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Dr Marius I. Ungureanu
Dr Marius I. Ungureanu
Dr Marius I. Ungureanu, MD, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health at the Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, also serving as the Department’s Director of Education. Dr. Ungureanu has more than 10 years of experience in public health research, having led or contributed to the development, implementation and evaluation of research projects in the areas of health systems, health service delivery, human resources for health and healthcare management. Dr. Ungureanu’s work has been featured in high profile peer reviewed journals such as The Lancet, Health Policy and Human Resources for Health.
Dr. Ungureanu has been trained as a medical doctor, and has completed his training with a master degree in healthcare management and a PhD in healthcare quality management. Dr. Ungureanu has served as Secretary of State (Deputy Minister) for Romania’s Ministry of Health. He is also the President and Co-Founder of the Health Management & Policy Center in Cluj-Napoca, and a member of the Governing Board of the European Public Health Association (EUPHA).
This webinar is organised by the TO-REACH project. The project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No. 733274. Views and opinions are of the speakers and authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. The European Union is not liable for any use that might be made of the information contained in this page and publications.
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