Evidence map›Paper›PMID 27079508›Full record

ArticleBMC public health2016

Europeanisation of health systems: a qualitative study of domestic actors in a small state.

Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, Kristine Sorensen, Christoph Aluttis, Roderick Pace, Helmut Brand

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC public health, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
3.2field-weighted citation impact, top 8% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 7 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Review
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.

Natasha Azzopardi-MuscatDepartment of Health Services Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, Msida, MSD 2080, Malta. natasha.azzopardi-muscat@um.edu.mt.
Kristine SorensenDepartment of International Health, CAPHRI, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht,, Duboisdomein 30, Maastricht, 6229 GT, Netherlands.
Christoph AluttisDepartment of International Health, CAPHRI, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht,, Duboisdomein 30, Maastricht, 6229 GT, Netherlands.
Roderick PaceInstitute of European Studies, University of Malta, Msida, MSD 2080, Malta.
Helmut BrandDepartment of International Health, CAPHRI, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht,, Duboisdomein 30, Maastricht, 6229 GT, Netherlands.
Maastricht University · NLUniversity of Malta · MT

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHealth systems are not considered to be significantly influenced by European Union (EU) policies given the subsidiarity principle. Yet, recent developments including the patients' rights and cross-border directive (2011/24 EU), as well as measures taken following the financial crisis, appear to be increasing the EU's influence on health systems. The aim of this study is to explore how health system Europeanisation is perceived by domestic stakeholders within a small state.

methodsA qualitative study was conducted in the Maltese health system using 33 semi-structured interviews. Inductive analysis was carried out with codes and themes being generated from the data.

resultsEU membership brought significant public health reforms, transformation in the regulation of medicines and development of specialised training for doctors. Health services financing and delivery were primarily unaffected. Stakeholders positively perceived improvements to the policy-making process, networking opportunities and capacity building as important benefits. However, the administrative burden and the EU's tendency to adopt a 'one size fits all' approach posed considerable challenges. The lack of power and visibility for health policy at the EU level is a major disappointment. A strong desire exists for the EU to exercise a more effective role in ensuring access to affordable medicines and preventing non-communicable diseases. However, the EU's interference with core health system values is strongly resisted.

conclusionsOverall domestic stakeholders have a positive outlook regarding their health system Europeanisation experience. Whilst welcoming further policy developments at the EU level, they believe that improved consideration must be given to the specificities of small health systems.

Indexed as

European UnionHealth PolicyDelivery of Health CareHealth Care ReformHumansPolicy MakingPublic HealthQualitative ResearchEuropeanisationEuropean UnionHealth policyHealth system reformsMaltaQualitative studySmall states

Identifiers

PMID27079508
PMCPMC4832556
OpenAlexW2336396314

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.