Implications of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union for Croatian health care system

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Title (croatian): Implikacije učlanjenja Republike Hrvatske u Europsku uniju na hrvatski zdravstveni sustav
• Author: Rajko Ostojić
• Author: Vlatka Bilas
• Author: Sanja Franc
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Public Health and Health Care

Abstract (english)

The Republic of Croatia's accession to the European Union (EU) will affect all segments of economy and society, including the health care system. The aim of this paper is to establish the potential effects of joining the EU on Croatian health care, as well as to assess its readiness to enter this regional economic integration. The paper identifies potential areas of impact of EU accession on Croatian health care and analyzes the results of the conducted empirical research. In this research, a method of in-depth interviews was applied on a sample of 49 subjects; health professionals from public and private sectors, health insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, drug wholesalers, and non-governmental organisations (patient associations). Once Croatia joins the EU, it will face: new rules and priorities in line with the current European health strategy; the possibilities of drawing funds from European cohesion funds; labour migrations; new guidelines on patient safety and mobility. From the aspect of harmonising national regulations with EU regulations in the area of health care, Croatian system can be assessed as ready to enter the EU. Croatia's accession to the EU can result in a better information flow, growth of competitiveness of Croatian health care system, enhanced quality, inflow of EU funds, development of health tourism, but also in increased migration of health care professionals, and potential increase in the cost of health care services. Functioning within the EU framework might result in adaptation to the EU standards, but it could also result in the concentration of staff and institutions in larger cities.

Abstract (croatian)

IMPLIKACIJE UČLANJENJA REPUBLIKE HRVATSKE U EUROPSKU UNIJU NA HRVATSKI
ZDRAVSTVENI SUSTAV ----- Ulazak Republike Hrvatske u Europsku uniju (EU) odrazit će se na sve segmente ekonomije i društva, pa tako i na
zdravstveni sustav te je važno utvrditi potencijalne efekte učlanjenja u EU na hrvatski zdravstveni sustav, ali i spremnost
ovog sustava na ulazak u navedenu regionalnu ekonomsku integraciju, a što sve predstavlja glavni doprinos ovog
rada. U radu se identificiraju sva potencijalna područja utjecaja učlanjenja u EU na hrvatski zdravstveni sustav i analiziraju
rezultati provedenog empirijskog istraživanja metodom dubinskih intervjua na uzorku od 49 ispitanika, predstavnika
zdravstvenih profesionalaca iz javnog i privatnog sektora, zdravstvenih osiguravajućih tvrtki, farmaceutskih
tvrtki i veledrogerija te nevladinih udruga, odnosno udruga pacijenata. Pridruživanjem EU-u Republika Hrvatska će se
susresti s: novim pravilima i prioritetima u skladu s aktualnom europskom strategijom zdravstva, mogućnostima povlačenja sredstava iz europskih kohezijskih fondova, migracijama radne snage, novim smjernicama o sigurnosti i mobilnosti
pacijenata. S aspekta usklađivanja nacionalne regulative s regulativom Europske unije iz područja zdravstvenog
sektora, hrvatski zdravstveni sustav može se ocijeniti spremnim za ulazak u EU. Učlanjenje Republike Hrvatske u EU
može rezultirati boljim protokom informacija, rastom konkurentnosti hrvatskog zdravstvenog sustava, povećanjem
kvalitete, priljevom sredstava od EU, razvojem zdravstvenog turizma, ali i povećanjem migracija zdravstvenog osoblja
te potencijalno poskupljenjem zdravstvenih usluga. Funkcioniranje u okviru EU, moglo bi dovesti do usklađenosti s
europskim standardima i normama, ali i koncentracije kadrova i ustanova u većim gradovima.

• Keywords (english): Croatia; Delivery of Health Care/organization & administration; Delivery of Health Care/trends; Emigration and Immigration/trends; European Union; Humans; International Cooperation; Internationality; Medical Tourism/trends; National Health Programs/organization & administration; National Health Programs/trends; Reimbursement Mechanisms/organization & administration; Reimbursement Mechanisms/trends
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: Collegium Antropologicum
• Numbering: vol. 36, no. 3, pp. 717-727
• p-ISSN: 0350-6134
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:338351
• Publication: 2012-09
• Document URL: https://hrcak.srce.hr/89392
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-03-27 19:38:43