Health for Public, Public for Health. Heath systems in V4 countries

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to describe differences in the perception of local governments in Poland concerning health clusters as tools for the modernization of the healthcare system, as well as recognition of the scale and forms of direct involvement of local governments in the creation and development of cluster initiatives in health care. The study involved 219 Poviats offices in Poland. We used a CAWI questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using a chi 2 statistical test. We observed low degree of participation in clusters and the scale of support provided by the local government in Poland. The reason for that is the distrust and the lack of relevant knowledge among local officials. Moreover, contrary to the specifics of the healthcare market and products offered in the market, local governments treat the cluster initiatives in healthcare exactly the same way as entities in other sectors of the economy are treated. Nonetheless, the occurrence of an identifiable key medical product in a given area slightly increases the tendency of local governments to pursue an active policy to support clusters. Thus, there are reasonable grounds for regarding the medical services as a potential tool to improve the competitiveness of the region.