Workshop: Access to health services in health systems providing universal coverage

Abstract

Abstract Universal health coverage (UHC) is part of the global WHO strategy to improve health. UHC and equity in access to care fall within the shared principles and values of EU health systems. However, as reported in 2016 by the Expert panel on effective ways of investing in health (EXPH), significant amount of unmet needs persisted both between and within EU member states. Access to health services encompasses the dimensions of affordability, user experience and availability of services with potential barriers arising at individual, providers or health systems levels. Health needs are constantly evolving as a consequence of population ageing and of health care technology development. Consequently access to care does not simply mean availability of a single component of care, but rather to an array of pertinent, coordinated, cost-effective and timely primary and specialized health and social interventions. Measuring performance in that respect is beyond the ability of commonly used “national level” indicators of access. Available research suggests that achieving ubiquitous access to optimal care across territories and populations (eg socioeconomic groups) is hard to achieve. This applies to the whole spectrum of health interventions, from preventive care such as immunizations to multidisciplinary interventions required for the management of chronic diseases. In this context, the workshop proposes to present examples of policy initiatives and results from research projects focusing on access and use of health care conducted in a variety of settings. The aims are to share knowledge about methods used in measuring variations of access, to improve understanding of their determinants and to identify avenues for improving performance. The workshop is proposed by a multidisciplinary and international group of research teams. It will start with a short introduction from the chair (5 minutes, Olivier Grimaud) followed by five presentations (10 minutes) addressing the issues of variations in access and use of care from different research teams and in a variety of settings. The first presentation will report on an innovative policy aiming at improving UHC in India. The following presentations will illustrate the challenges of providing access in high income countries, including, Scotland, France and Australia. In the last part of the workshop (30 minutes) comments from Prof Helmut Brand (former expert panel member of the EXPH) will introduce a general discussion with the audience moderated by the chair. Key messages Even when the conditions for universal health coverage are in place, providing equitable access to quality care remains a challenge. Understanding variations in access to care would help improve performance and equity.