Introduction

In 2022, World Health Organization organized the Expert meeting “Rethinking the future of Hospitals in the European Region” in Brussels. This agenda was followed by the recent WHO/Europe Regional Meeting held in the vibrant city of Baku, bringing together healthcare leaders, experts, and policymakers to discuss the future of healthcare. Under the theme of “Fit-for-purpose hospitals: prioritizing quality and sustainability to meet the demands of modern healthcare,” the meeting aimed to drive innovation, collaboration, and transformative change in the European healthcare sector. Among the esteemed participants, I had the privilege of actively contributing to the discussion and sharing transformative policies from Portugal. Let’s delve into the remarkable insights gained from this high-level meeting and the participant’s role in shaping the future of healthcare.

Driving the Hospital Change Agenda

During the plenary session titled “Driving the hospital change agenda,” moderated by Josep Figueras, I contributed with the keynote speech titled “Enhancing hospital performance”.

I shared two policies that are transforming public healthcare in Portugal. By shedding light on these policies, I emphasized the significance of enhancing health services performance and its implications for the entire healthcare landscape.

1. Transitioning to a Population Health Management Approach:
   Portugal’s first policy shift focuses on moving away from a traditional secondary and tertiary care model towards a population health management approach. By introducing “Unidades Locais de Saude,” seamless integration of primary healthcare and specialized services is being achieved. This comprehensive approach ensures that healthcare services cater to all stages of life, including prevention, treatment, and palliative care. By prioritizing people-centered services, Portugal aims to improve access to care, enhance patient outcomes, and provide more holistic healthcare solutions.
2. Fostering a Culture of Transformational Leadership:
   Portugal’s second policy shift revolves around reshaping the organizational structure of its healthcare system. I highlighted the importance of moving from transactional and hierarchical models to transformational leadership. By implementing professional autonomous teams known as “Centros de Responsabilidade Integrados,” every team member, from doctors to administrative staff, is empowered to contribute to the vision of better patient care. This culture of collaboration, innovation, and shared decision-making promotes an environment where healthcare professionals can thrive and deliver high-quality care.

Advocating for Healthcare Management Professionalization

I also had the privilege of contributing to the technical session on Governance and Management with Eric de Rodenbeck. Moderated by Magda Rosenmoller (IESE), the session provided a platform to make a compelling case for healthcare management professionalization. I highlighted the importance of skilled management professionals in driving effective governance and efficient management within healthcare organizations. Allow me to share the key points I presented during this thought-provoking session.

Recognizing the Value of Healthcare Management Professionals:

Throughout my presentation, I emphasized the invaluable role played by healthcare management professionals in navigating the complexities of healthcare governance and management. These professionals possess a unique skill set that combines healthcare knowledge with expertise in organizational management, finance, policy-making, and strategic planning. Their specialized training and experience are pivotal in ensuring effective decision-making, resource allocation, and operational efficiency within healthcare systems.

During the session, I emphasized the importance of investing in the professional development and education of healthcare management professionals. Continuous learning opportunities, such as advanced degree programs, specialized training, and leadership development initiatives, are crucial for enhancing their skills and knowledge. By supporting their professional growth, healthcare organizations can cultivate a cadre of competent leaders who are equipped to address the complex challenges faced by modern healthcare systems.

As we continue our journey towards building sustainable and patient-centered healthcare systems, let us prioritize healthcare management professionalization as a catalyst for positive change.

Charting the Path Forward

I also played a pivotal role in chairing the plenary session titled “Regional framework to support and guide hospital transformation towards primary health-care-oriented systems.” The session was moderated by Nigel Edwards (Nuffield Trust, United Kingdom) and relied on Ann Lise Guisset (WHO) that presented “Hospital policy within national plans” and Mafaten Chaouali (WHO Europe) that presented the European Framework for Action to support countries to shape their hospital reform. The presentations were followed by an interesting countries discussion from Irland, Estonia, and Turkey.

Conclusion

Reflecting on the insights gained from this high-level regional meeting, it is evident that transformative policies and collaborative efforts are key to reshaping the future of healthcare. The participant’s contribution highlights the importance of sharing best practices and working together to address common challenges.

Some of the key messages that came out were:

• Integrate hospitals and primary care to work together to improve people’s health outcomes.
• Build learning and flexible organizations that can adapt and respond to new needs
• Link hospital payments to population-base outcomes
• Invest, innovate, and care about health workers since they are the main asset.

By embracing these principles, we can collectively strive toward a healthcare landscape that enhances patient outcomes, harnesses innovation, and ensures access to care for all.