Second meeting of the Expert Network on Health Care Reform Strategies in Southern Europe (SOUTHNET) : report on WHO meeting, Thessaloniki, Greece, 17-19 December 1998

Abstract

The objectives of the second meeting of SOUTHNET convened by the WHO Regional Office for Europe were to discuss resource allocation as an instrument for strengthening primary health care, strategies for developing general practice and the latest developments in health care reform in the participating countries. Participants from eight countries attended the meeting. The discussion on resource allocation focused on the features of the purchaser-provider model, which was considered unsuitable for countries where primary health care is still being developed. The role and functions of general practice in different countries was reviewed, and it was agreed that specialist training and organizational reform are priorities for strengthening general practice. Country presentations and an in-depth report on health care reform in the host country gave the participants valuable insights on development in health care services. Finally, the participants adopted a working charter for SOUTHNET