On February 22nd, 2017, the Centre of Clinical, Health Economics, and Outcome Research (CCHO) sponsored the ISSP, Institute of Public Health at St. Joseph University, event. A scientific presentation entitled “New Challenges of Healthcare Systems: Impact on Quality and Performance”, animated by Dr. Dabbous, highlighted the new challenges governments are facing worldwide, such as the rising cost of innovative health technology. These issues are specifically faced in oncology, orphan and chronic diseases. He also elaborated on the new trends shaping systems worldwide, such as HTA units and their role in informing policy makers and payers, and big data paralleled with digital health.
The presentation was immensely rich and exciting. By the end of the talk, participants representing officials and professionals from different healthcare institutions and universities in Lebanon debated several healthcare decision-making policies and processes. Some discussions revolved around payment models and rewards, capping policies, the patients’ engagement role, healthcare data generation and availability, and quality measures. This left the audience with numerous thought-provoking messages and ideas to help initiate the examination of healthcare access, cost and quality.
The conference was followed by a reception at the Medical Faculty Campus.