Public-private partnership in the Portuguese health sector

Heliyon · 2 authors, 4 centres

AI SUMMARY

FIDELITY 100%

This summary was generated by AI from a single paper. It has not been reviewed by a clinician and is not clinical advice. Verify against the source before acting on it.

AGENT 01 · STRUCTURED SUMMARY

TRACE TO SOURCE

“

TL;DR

This study uses a multiple case study design to evaluate the financial and operational performance of four Portuguese hospitals under public-private partnership (PPP) contracts.

Full summary

798 CHARS

This study uses a multiple case study design to evaluate the financial and operational performance of four Portuguese hospitals under public-private partnership (PPP) contracts. The results indicate the state achieved positive VfM, with total estimated savings ranging from €213 million to €463 million across the hospitals. Additionally, a qualitative and quantitative analysis of performance indicators suggests the PPP model may offer higher quality services compared to publicly managed hospitals. The authors conclude that the PPP model was successful in delivering cost-effectiveness for the state and better service delivery. Limitations include the study's reliance on secondary archival data and the partial nature of the savings calculations, which do not cover the full contract periods.

STUDY TYPE

other

SPECIALTY

public health

SUMMARISED BY

AI pipeline

FIDELITY CHECK

100% · A

ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10457536

Public-private partnership in the Portuguese health sector

Heliyon

READ THE FULL PAPER

ABSTRACT

Abstract Since 2001, in Portugal, constant reforms in hospital management have accompanied the transformations in the management models applied to public administration, intending to ensure a higher quality of services and, simultaneously, a more significant economic efficiency. This study aims to analyse, for the period between 2012 and 2021, the economic and financial results (value-for-money) of the PPP model, compared with the public management hospitals (PMH). It used a mixed research approach based on multiple case studies and archival research. As the main results, it was found that: i) the PPP model, applied to the health sector, appears to be advantageous, not only regarding the economic and financial results but also concerning the quality of service provision; and ii) despite the value-for-money generated by the PPP model, the lower operating costs and the superior performance in comparison with PMH, the government has permanently opted to revert from a PPP model to a PMH model. This study concluded that the hospital management model is instead seen as an instrumentalised political instrument than a management tool that could generate savings for the taxpayers. Several practical implications are presented. Keywords: Public management hospitals, Public-private partnerships, Health service quality, Value-for-money, Public sector comparator

CITATION EXPORT

Nuno José Pinho Rodrigues, João MS Carvalho. Public-private partnership in the Portuguese health sector. Heliyon. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19122

AUTHORS

2 · 4 CENTRES

Nuno José Pinho Rodrigues, João MS Carvalho

aInstituto Politécnico de Gestão e Tecnologia, V. N. de Gaia, Portugal
bREMIT-Universidade Portucalense, R. António Bernardino de Almeida, 541, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
cREMIT-Universidade Portucalense, Porto, Portugal
dR. António Bernardino de Almeida 541, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal