Challenges for health care development in Croatia

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Title (croatian): Izazovi razvoja zdravstvenog sustava Republike Hrvatske
• 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 main aim of the research done in this paper was to establish key challenges and perspectives for health care development in the Republic of Croatia in the next two decades. Empirical research was conducted in the form of semi-structured interviews involving 49 subjects, representatives of health care professionals from both, public and private sectors, health insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, drug wholesalers, and non-governmental organisations (patient associations). The results have shown that key challenges and problems of Croatian health care can be divided into three groups: functioning of health care systems, health care personnel, and external factors. Research has shown that key challenges related to the functioning of health care are inefficiency, financial unviability, inadequate infrastructure, and the lack of system transparency. Poor governance is another limiting factor. With regard to health care personnel, they face the problems of low salaries, which then lead to migration challenges and a potential shortage of health care personnel. The following external factors are deemed to be among the most significant challenges: ageing population, bad living habits, and an increase in the number of chronic diseases. However, problems caused by the global financial crisis and consequential macroeconomic situation must not be neglected. Guidelines for responding to challenges identified in this research are the backbone for developing a strategy for health care development in the Republic of Croatia. Long-term vision, strategy, policies, and a regulatory framework are all necessary preconditions for an efficient health care system and more quality health services.

Abstract (croatian)

Temeljni cilj istraživanja provedenog u okviru ovog rada jest utvrditi ključne izazove i perspektive razvoja zdravstvenog
sustava Republike Hrvatske u sljedeća dva desetljeća. Kao metoda istraživanja korišten je polustrukturirani
intervju s 49 ispitanika, predstavnika zdravstvenih profesionalaca iz javnog i privatnog sektora, zdravstvenih osiguravajućih tvrtki, farmaceutskih tvrtki i veledrogerija te nevladinih udruga, odnosno udruga pacijenata. Rezultati istraživanja pokazali su da se ključni izazovi i problemi zdravstvenog sustava Republike Hrvatske mogu segmentirati u tri
grupe: funkcioniranje zdravstvenih sustava, zdravstveno osoblje i vanjski čimbenici. Istraživanje je pokazalo da su ključni izazovi vezani uz funkcioniranje zdravstvenog sustava neučinkovitost, financijska neodrživost, neadekvatna infrastruktura
i netransparentnost sustava. Loše upravljanje još je jedan ograničavajući čimbenik. Što se zdravstvenog osoblja
tiče, ističu se problemi malih plaća i posljedično tome, izazovi migracija te potencijalni nedostatak zdravstvenog
osoblja. Od ostalih vanjskih čimbenika koji predstavljaju najznačajnije izazove ističu se starenje stanovništva, loše životne navike te porast broja kroničnih bolesti, ali i problemi prouzrokovani globalnom financijskom krizom te posljedičnom makroekonomskom situacijom. Smjernice za rješavanje izazova identificiranih ovim istraživanjem predstavljaju
nužnu okosnicu strategije razvoja zdravstvenog sustava Republike Hrvatske. Dugoročna vizija, strategija, politike i
regulacijski okvir nužne su pretpostavke efikasnog djelovanja zdravstvenog sustava i pružanja kvalitetnih zdravstvenih
usluga.

• Keywords (english): Croatia; Delivery of Health Care/organization & administration; Delivery of Health Care/trends; European Union; Health Care Costs/trends; Health Personnel/organization & administration; Health Personnel/trends; Health Services Accessibility/organization & administration; Health Services Accessibility/trends; Humans; Insurance, Health/organization & administration; Insurance, Health/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. 707-716
• p-ISSN: 0350-6134
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:545511
• Publication: 2012-09
• Document URL: https://hrcak.srce.hr/89391
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-03-27 19:38:53