2008 EHMA Conference
"The Politics of Health": an introduction

At its core the politics of health management is about negotiating relationships: between national governments and service providers; between managers and other health professionals; between health and other sectors.
Politics and health management are indivisible at every level of health systems: global, national, local, organisational and personal. In this context, politics moves far beyond questions of political party or government. These relationships operate in an increasingly difficult and complex environment. Across much of Europe the ageing population and rising levels of chronic disease are posing significant challenges, both to the way that services are delivered and to the money available.

Parallel to this is the growing recognition that the fundamental determinants of health are not medical but social and economic, and that the management of these requires negotiation across sectoral boundaries at all levels.

These challenges have a particular impact on the role of the healthcare manager. To lead, develop and configure healthcare systems at the local level requires not only exceptional understanding of the politics of healthcare but the ability to negotiate and influence them.

Effective management must also be based on sound evidence, and research engaged both with practice and policy processes. The aim of EHMA's 2008 conference is therefore to explore the different ways in which politics can be understood, the key issues for healthcare management and to suggest ways in which healthcare management can rise to the challenges of delivering healthcare in the future.