Spain is an example in Europe in making decisions based on evidence in the management of health services. This has been recognized by the European Federation of Hospitals and Health Services (HOPE).
The HOPE has awarded the first prize of its Health Professionals Exchange Program to the delegation of eleven healthcare professionals from nine countries who have been developing a program in several health services of the National Health System (SNS) for four weeks.
This award recognizes the best presentation of the results of the exchange experience of these professionals. It was delivered at the Agora meeting, the HOPE meeting in Ljubljana (Slovenia), held between June 2 and 4.
The eleven professionals came from Greece, Holland, Italy, Ireland, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom and Switzerland (observer country).
These professionals have been integrated for four weeks in centers of the Autonomous Communities of Andalusia, Aragon, Asturias, the Balearic Islands, Cantabria, Catalonia, Extremadura, Madrid, Navarra, the Basque Country and Valencia.
The exchange program is aimed at European healthcare professionals who, after their experience, present their vision and the good practices found on a topic of interest in the Ágora: this year, the subject was 'Evidence-informed decision-making in healthcare management' , making decisions based on evidence in the management of health services.
The presentation of the experience of the professionals that have been received by the SNS has been recognized as the best among 23 other experiences of the teams that have developed the exchange in the 23 participating countries.
"The impression that these professionals have taken from the SNS has been very good, they were enthusiastic and they have conveyed the enthusiasm to the 300 attendees of the Agora, among participants, experts and health authorities, they have left the Spanish flag very high", explained Asunción Ruiz de la Sierra, National Coordinator of the Exchange Program who works in the National Institute of Health Management (INGESA).
On the other hand, 21 Spanish health professionals have participated in this European exchange and have developed the program in one of the participating countries. "Their experience has also been very positive and the national coordinators have congratulated us for the high level of our professionals who not only discover in the country where a different health system and other ways of working are involved, but at the same time , are 'ambassadors' of our SNS and share with European countries, knowledge and good practices ", Asunción Ruiz de la Sierra has emphasized.
This four-week period, from May 6 to June 4, 2019, is aimed at professionals working in hospital health management, primary care and / or the Health Administration, with management responsibilities, with a minimum of three years of experience and knowledge of the language required by the host country.
The program has been uninterrupted since 1981 and Spain participates since 1989.
Membership of Spain to HOPE
In addition to the exchange of health professionals with management responsibilities, Spain's membership of HOPE provides added value in terms of knowledge, innovation and improvement in management tools.
Also in health planning, cost containment, HR management, patient safety, resource planning for chronic patients, social determinants of health, continuity of health care, etc., through studies, projects and publications carried out .
In these moments the membership of Spain to HOPE is a very important link of the Ministry of Health, Consumption and Social Welfare with hospitals and health services of the EU countries.
HOPE is endorsed and cooperates very closely with other international organizations, particularly with the World Health Organization, the Council of Europe and with other European Institutions.
On the other hand, it is an essential way to publicize the Spanish NHS to the rest of the EU countries and the health policies that are carried out.
Sara Pupato Ferrari, head of the Spanish delegation -Member of the Board of Governors and the Advisory Committee of the President of HOPE- and currently working at INGESA (MSCBS), where she holds the position of general deputy director of Health Care, was the first woman that presided over the European Federation of Hospitals and Sanitary Services HOPE (2014-2017), since its creation, more than 50 years ago.