Uncomfortable realities: the challenge of creating real change in Europe’s consolidating hospital sector

• Authors: Patrick Jeurissen, Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen; Antonio Duran, AIIDMHealthSeville; Richard Saltman, Emory University
• Journal Title: BMC Health Services Research
• Volume: Volume 16, Number S2
• Publisher: BioMed Central | 2016-05
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-016-1389-3
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Health Care Management
• Keywords: European hospitals; Governance; Privatization; Payment reform; Cost-containment; Hospital management; Hospital business models

Abstract

Background: This article examines uncomfortable realities that the European hospital sector currently faces and the potential impact of wide-spread rationalization policies such as (hospital) payment reform and privatization. Methods: Review of relevant international literature. Results: Based on the evidence we present, rationalization policies such as (hospital) payment reform and privatization will probably fall short in delivering better quality of care and lower growth in health expenses. Reasons can be sought in a mix of evidence on the effectiveness of these rationalization policies. Nevertheless, pressures for different business models will gradually continue to increase and it seems safe to assume that more value-added process business and facilitated network models will eventually emerge. Conclusions: The overall argument of this article holds important implications for future research: how can policymakers generate adequate leverage to introduce such changes without destroying necessary hospital capacity and the ability to produce quality healthcare.