Executive MSHA Class E52 learns in Amsterdam and Barcelona

Barcelona

Members of Class E52 traveled to Barcelona, Spain in March 2018 to study how healthcare is organized, financed, and delivered in Catalonia. The system is designed on a Beveridge Model, with universal coverage and a foundation on the value of solidarity. In addition, Spain uses a decentralized approach, with much of the care provided at the regional level.

The group was hosted by La Unio, the providers' association that represents both public and private providers who are integrated into the public network. One highlight from the trip included visiting a children's hospital, where patients who receive diagnostic imaging tests engage in an interactive, outer-space themed experience. Through education, gamification, and atmosphere; the whole experience is designed to reduce the typical anxiety and fear that kids might feel when receiving diagnostic imaging. The group was also inspired by the recent infusion of resources into mental health care, the attention to strategic planning, and the warm welcome we received by our Catalonian hosts.

Amsterdam

The following month, April 2018, Members of Class E52 traveled to The Netherlands to study the Dutch Health System. While the group was based in Amsterdam, the three-day study tour included visits to cities such as Utrecht, Amersfoort, Bussum, and Weesp. According to the WHO, the Dutch system is "in the top five of best valued systems by its users in terms of quality." The system is primarily financed through compulsory health insurance contributions and some additional funds from general taxation.

The group visited the practice of Dr. Martin Voerknecht, who explained how his group practice was managed and about the "gatekeeper" role that the GP plays in the Dutch system. A highlight of the visit was an afternoon at De Hogeweyk, a specially-designed neighborhood for elderly residents who suffer from dementia. The group was inspired by the care-delivery model that places emphasis on quality of life and independence. Overall, the group was interested to discover how the pragmatic and innovative culture in The Netherlands has shaped the health system, the way services are delivered, and even the design of hospitals and clinics.