Background: Despite a growing body of research literature focused on public-private partnerships (PPPs) in healthcare, some critical issues still seem to be insufficiently investigated, especially due to the frequent lack of clarity in defining the goals for healthcare management and to an oversimplified framework for analysing PPPs. Resolving conflicts of interest between diverse PPP stakeholders in healthcare requires special attention. Effective solutions in this area are not well known in Central and Eastern Europe countries, which are trying to modernise their healthcare systems. Aims: The purpose of this article is threefold. Firstly, it is to establish an appropriate understanding of healthcare sustainability, currently understood as the ultimate goal for healthcare management. Secondly, it is to shift the context for analysing the performance of PPPs from a purely financial to a wider and well-framed one, comprising the pillars of healthcare sustainability. Thirdly, it is to identify the governance mechanisms intended to improve the impact of PPPs on healthcare sustainability. Methods: The methods employed include a broad conceptual analysis of the international literature as well as external online desk research of the materials published by PPP consortia, financial institutions and public authorities engaged in managing PPPs for healthcare in Europe. Results: Healthcare sustainability is a complex, multifaceted and multi-pillar problem. PPPs can enhance, or damage, all healthcare sustainability pillars due to a complex conflict of interest between the parties involved. Embedding certain governance mechanisms in PPP contracting and management is necessary to foster both financial and nonfinancial sustainability in healthcare provided via PPPs. Some countries and some PPPs have managed to develop suitable mechanisms to govern the conflicting goals in healthcare management. Conclusions: The mechanisms governing PPPs can be programmed as sustainability drivers to improve the resilience of healthcare to the benefit of all stakeholder groups, including capital providers, society and the government. The experiences of PPPs in healthcare operating in the European context may inspire an appropriate design of the PPP framework and PPP contracts.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.