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Change the country or move to another? | Opinion article by Professor Fernandes e Fernandes
Professor Fernandes e Fernandes
Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon
Change the country or move to another?
"There is a compelling commitment in Health, as well as in Education, that surpasses more ideological proclamations and short-term action, to focus on necessary reforms, without which the actual sustainability of these public services would be compromised. Medicine today presupposes patient-focused organisation in which priority is given to integrating care, multidisciplinary and multi-professional cooperation, sophisticated technology, less emphasis on hospital and emergency services, and more on preventive and outpatient clinic-oriented disease intervention. This urgent reform will require a concentration of skills and resources to guarantee quality and better service for patients, the closure of surplus buildings, planning on the basis of real needs and geared towards meeting modern challenges, establishing a culture of assessment and the duty of accountability along with a meritocratic policy geared towards dignifying human resources, the essential pillars of this reform. The other dimension of the solution falls within the realm of individual responsibility and citizenship. On the one hand, respect for values and an appeal to excellence and on the other hand, civic commitment and duty, founded on informed debate, devoid of prejudice, and a spirit set on serving and prioritising public well-being. It is difficult to change the country, but it is a stimulating challenge, requiring courage and persistence to change habits and behaviours. Moving to another country, to see how things are done there and then returning may even be of some help!”
Source: Expresso Newspaper
Click here to read the full article.
Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon
Change the country or move to another?
"There is a compelling commitment in Health, as well as in Education, that surpasses more ideological proclamations and short-term action, to focus on necessary reforms, without which the actual sustainability of these public services would be compromised. Medicine today presupposes patient-focused organisation in which priority is given to integrating care, multidisciplinary and multi-professional cooperation, sophisticated technology, less emphasis on hospital and emergency services, and more on preventive and outpatient clinic-oriented disease intervention. This urgent reform will require a concentration of skills and resources to guarantee quality and better service for patients, the closure of surplus buildings, planning on the basis of real needs and geared towards meeting modern challenges, establishing a culture of assessment and the duty of accountability along with a meritocratic policy geared towards dignifying human resources, the essential pillars of this reform. The other dimension of the solution falls within the realm of individual responsibility and citizenship. On the one hand, respect for values and an appeal to excellence and on the other hand, civic commitment and duty, founded on informed debate, devoid of prejudice, and a spirit set on serving and prioritising public well-being. It is difficult to change the country, but it is a stimulating challenge, requiring courage and persistence to change habits and behaviours. Moving to another country, to see how things are done there and then returning may even be of some help!”
Source: Expresso Newspaper
Click here to read the full article.