Developing and comparing new models for safe and efficient, prevention oriented health and care systems

Specific challenge: Public health, biomedical, social and behavioural research have provided evidence for new approaches to prevention, primary care and treatment. Their integration into health services requires cooperation across sectors and between stakeholders, and challenges the current boundaries of healthcare and established norms of operation.

EU Member States have thus far had different responses to the need for reform, presenting an opportunity to learn how best to react to preserve and promote population health, mitigate the effects of the economic crisis and avoid increases in health inequalities.

Scope: As action oriented research, proposals should develop new, or improve on existing, models for health systems, in order to make these systems more patient-centred, prevention oriented, efficient, resilient to crises, safe and sustainable.

The models’ applicability and adaptation to different European health systems and EU regions should be assessed, and their value, including individual and societal benefits, demonstrated.

Models may apply to different levels within the health system (micro – the patient interaction level, meso- the health care organization and community level, and macro - the policy level). They must be compared with alternatives (including existing models), capitalising on Europe's diversity. Views of relevant stakeholders such as policy makers and citizens should be taken into account in the design of and evaluation of these models. The gender dimension should be duly addressed. Capacity building and awareness raising activities for the adoption and further use of models developed should be included.

Proposals should address the related challenge of ensuring appropriate and sufficient resources (human, financial, infrastructural, equipment (or consumables) and technology) for these new models and develop adequate governance mechanisms. Proposals may include methodological work in the field of health technology assessment, health systems performance assessment, health workforce analysis as well as indicators and measures to describe and monitor the quality of life of European citizens adequately, taking into account the diverse socio-demographic groups and cultural backgrounds, and should track costs.

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of between EUR 4 and 6 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

Expected impact:

• On the basis of quantitative and qualitative indicators, evidence for new or improved patient-centred, prevention oriented, safe and efficient models for health care systems and services.
• Evidence to be used by policy makers and decision makers in making improvements to health and care systems, health and other policies.

Type of action: Research and innovation actions