WHICH MODEL OF PROGRAMMING AND CONTROL FOR PRIMARY CARE ORGANIZATIONS? THE CASE STUDY OF THE ITALIAN HEALTHCARE HOMES (�CASE DELLA SALUTE�)

Abstract

ABSTRACT As known, the “New Public Economy” paradigm is based on the fact that the best way to rebuild credibility and trustworthiness in the Public Administration is to invest in the audit process. Most of the modern theories on Systemic Analysis affirms that the audit process starts from evaluating outcomes. This revolutionary approach, called “Performance Cicle”, has been introduced in the Italian Public Sector in 2010; its direct effect has been an increasing attention at the final results instead of at the admin procedures themselves. The present work is a case study focused on the central role of performance measurement systems whitin the Public Administration, in particular whitin the Sanitary Sector, where a cost-effectiveness economy has expected, due to new patients’ needs. Among the most popular Quality Improvement’s validated tools, the Balance Scorecard (BSC) will be taken under special consideration for its capability to explore many different perspectives in a complex organisation. A lack in the literature has been found in the implementation of performance systems in the Primary Health Care assistance, in particular in the new organisational model called “Case della Salute” Center. Therefore, the present project’s purpose is to fill in this gap, highlighting outcomes produced by the application of the BSC in a new health care context. The study explains threats and opportunities from the case of a Casa della Salute in Parma, where a new framework has been adopted recently. Keywords Management, Balancescore Card, Control, Performance, Control system, Primary Care