Page 26 - Business Insights 2012-2013
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I
nnovation in healthcare is vital for both the health
and wealth of nations and their survival,” according
to Professor Atun. “Globally 10.4 % of GDP is spent
on healthcare, so it’s essential that this money
is used effectively to ensure that new and more
effective drugs and technologies reach the people
who need them most.”
Professor Atun believes that the broad range of skills
in the Health Management Group, which includes
academics, managers, clinicians, psychologists and
experts in computing, is essential to successfully
address this challenge. “We are looking at issues
ranging from molecular diagnostics to the adoption
of complex system designs in global health. Our
work is unique because it uses a multi-disciplinary
approach to focus on health systems around the
world. We look at all the facets of health systems:
organisation, financing, decision-making and delivery
of services.
“In the past, much emphasis has been placed on
developing new technologies without focus on
how these technologies will be adopted into health
systems and utilised appropriately. This can be very
inefficient and wasteful.”
The Health Management Group is studying how
innovations are developed and how they can then
be implemented in health systems, including any
potential barriers to successful implementation.
Their research findings are used by governments
to shape policy and effect changes to healthcare
systems in order to ensure that innovations are
successfully adopted.
The Group is working in countries around the world
to design tailor-made solutions rather than simply
transplanting ideas from elsewhere. “Our research
has shown that what works in one country won’t
necessarily work in others, even with highly
beneficial innovations. Changes must be sensitive
to local customs and cultures,” explains Professor
Atun. The Group has recently worked with policy-
makers in Brazil, Estonia, Moldova and Turkey
to develop effective primary care systems and
explore how innovations can best be introduced
in health systems.
In the UK, the Group is working in collaboration
with the Imperial NHS Trust and the Chelsea and
Westminster Hospital on a special project, which
aims to deliver more patient-centric services to treat
chronic lung disease. In this programme, the patients
and everyone in the care delivery process were
involved in designing the system, which Professor
Atun believes will mean this approach is more likely
to be successfully adopted. “This brings benefits
to everyone involved in the care process. If the
experience for patients is improved they are more
likely to adhere to the treatment regime and their
condition will be more effectively addressed.”
Business Insights
caught up with
n his return
to the Business
School as Head
of the
after three
and a half years
as a member of
the Executive
Management
Team at The
Global Fund.
Harnessing
in healthcare
innovation
“
BUSINESS
INSIGHTS
2012 – 2013
26
