Cooperation activities of National Contact Points

Abstract

T Clemens, E Cox, B vd Zanden, H Brand Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands Limburg Development Agency (POM Limburg), Hasselt, Belgium European Patient Empowerment for Customised Solutions (EPECS), Maastricht, The Netherlands Contact: timo.clemens@maastrichtuniversity.nl Background Directive 2011/24/EU requests member states (MS) to install National Contact Points for cross-border healthcare (NCP). NCPs shall provide relevant information to patients regarding the conditions, rights and procedures to receive healthcare in another MS. For this purpose, NCPs are required to consult with patient organizations, healthcare providers and insurers. In addition, NCPs are supposed to cooperate with other NCPs to facilitate exchange of information between MS. We investigated how the requirements set out in the Directive have been fulfilled with regard to cooperation of NCPs. Methods A structured analysis of NCP websites has been combined with short interviews of persons responsible for the establishment or organization of NCPs. The NCP websites of all 28 MS have been analyzed by raters. A standard protocol and a data extraction sheet have been used to ensure comparability. Short interviews of persons in charge of the NCP helped to verify the information gained from the website analysis. Second, interviews revealed how NCP offices have been set up and how they meet the requirements regarding collaboration with relevant stakeholders. Results The degree of cooperation with various stakeholders within national healthcare system varies between MS. Overall, there is a tendency to collaborate alongside established contacts – with other governmental organizations or institutions in the healthcare system. Therefore, NCPs are inclined to consult more often insurers and provider organizations and to a lesser extend patient organizations for information delivery. Nevertheless, some MS have set up dedicated events (seminars, conferences) to get input from patient organizations. Because many MS are still finalizing the establishment of their NCP, collaboration with other NCPs is minor so far. Some countries report informal contacts, only a few had formal contacts on the basis of preexisting links. Many respondents referred to an EC organized meeting when it comes to cooperation with other NCPs. Conclusions Cooperation of NCPs remains so far largely confined to existing contacts. Exploring new cooperation possibilities with stakeholders within a country and with other NCPs could expand information sources and benefit patient choices in the future. 7th European Public Health Conference: Friday 21 November 2014 8:30-10:00 111