Challenges in Health Systems Innovation

The course consists of complementary theoretical and research components. The theoretical component develops insight, through lectures and seminars, into the central theoretical concepts of innovations and reform of health systems.

Illustrative case studies are reality-based and use former as well as current innovations and developments in health care systems of low- and higher-income countries, such as the introduction of primary health care or long-term care system innovations). Discussion focuses on:

• Difficulties in tackling certain persistent health problems
• Systemic factors that form the basis of these persistent problems
• The moderate effect of health reforms and emergence of unsustainable niche experiments
• Exploration of possibilities to effectively link niche experiments to existing regimes
• The importance of transdisciplinary research for system innovation.

In the research component of the course, students work in pairs to analyse efforts to address a concrete persistent problem in a health system. This involves identification of underlying systemic factors, such as structures, culture, and existing practices, and delineating the role of the significant actors. Students conclude the course by designing a niche experiment for this problem according to the principles of transition management.