Abstract

BEGUIRISTAIN, José M.; ARRAZOLA, Arantza; ELIZALDE, Belén  and  ALKIZA, María E.. Singularization processes: a proposal for continuity between clinical activity and health policy objectives. Gac Sanit [online]. 2005, vol.19, n.2, pp.168-171. ISSN 0213-9111.

Backgrounds and objectives: In 1996 the Gipuzkoa Territorial Health Agency (Basque Country, Spain) created the Health Plan Service. The aim was to transform the health objectives prioritized by the Health Department into intervention strategies to be incorporated into the local contract services. Process and results: One of the procedures the service uses for this purpose, known as «singularization», involves selecting a process linked to a prioritized health problem, and analyzing and reconstructing it so that the related activity, expected results, financial costs and its impact on the population's health can be identified. After this process the service provides the Territorial Health Agency, which is responsible for service purchase for the public and private sectors, with information about contract conditions for the process reviewed. Annual assessment of contract services monitors the extent to which the agreements made have been carried out and their consequences on the population's health. The present article deals with the process through which this «singularization» is carried out.

Keywords : Contract services; Disease management; Critical pathways.

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