Who are the key stakeholders in reforming healthcare systems?
Patients, providers, payers and policymakers often have different opinions about what the healthcare system should look like. There are various cultural approaches among healthcare systems, and differences between emerging and developed economies. But regardless of the type of system, the common problem is sustainability. Aligning the ideas of key stakeholders and creating common goals will enable services to achieve change and aim for a more sustainable system.
What needs to be done?
Common goals must be formulated by all stakeholders involved. Performance and accountability need to be increased, by introducing shared goals that respond to all stakeholders’ needs. The priority should be achieving high-value healthcare. Current structures tend to ignore measuring value. Providers tend to measure only what they can directly control, rather than what matters for high value or outcomes. A focus on measuring value will reward providers in efficiency, achieving good outcomes and increasing accountability for healthcare.
Efficient health systems have certain structures in common, such as strong primary care and technology to contain costs. A robust primary care system is one reason for the successes of Israel’s healthcare system. Technology to contain costs can help to accelerate activity while increasing the efficiency and accuracy of big data analysis.
There is a need for real-world data and transparency, describing patient outcomes at different stages of disease. Data from clinical trials are necessary, as well as structured and longitudinal data.
It is difficult to say what 2018 might bring. But surely other countries will soon start to follow examples like that of the UK in discussing how to shape the future of health and healthcare.
Katharina Beyer is a former Researcher for The Health Policy Partnership.
The opinions expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of The Health Policy Partnership.
