The Institute of Public Health in Albania: Institutional Learning Survey

Abstract

The Institute of Public Health (IPH) in Tirana, Albania and its Department of Epidemiology of Non-Infectious Disease and Health Systems: Policy and Programs; received an overall average score of 2.94 from 3.2 that was in IBM Global CEO Study average of 756 interviewed managers. There were nine people who were interviewed, although the IPH has over 200 employees overall. Most of the people who were interviewed shared their concerns in some of the following anonymous comments: “More innovation is needed, publications, international cooperation. Healthcare is going in the bad direction; we need better management of it”. Another one says: “We are not interconnected, everyone does on his own head, and these do not serve in meeting the objectives.” The fourth person says: “We need to work hard in order to achieve results; this is done through cooperation of various institutions. Up to this moment the situation is dim”. One other person pointed out: “There is no transfer of knowledge and short-term, mid-term, and long-term plans. There is much to be done”. The seventh person who was interviewed made these remarks: “We need to seek deeper in the research and scientific development, there is place for innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship, and new foresight; despite from what we have achieved so far.” The last person said: “More incentives for innovation, more room for initiatives, as well as moral and material rewards”. The IPH and the department in word have a very satisfactory score in collaboration and partnering with other institutions at their initiatives and programs. Although, they still need to work better at measuring their progress with an evaluation metrics system for Total Quality Management (TQM) to be achieved. Innovation is on the rise if steps are taken to reach it.