Lithuania: health system review

Link to:
Collection:
Mokslo publikacijos / Scientific publications
Document Type:
Knyga / Book
Language:
Anglų kalba / English
Title:
Lithuania: health system review
Authors:
Publication Data:
Copenhagen : World Health Organization, 2013.
Pages:
xxii, 150 p
Series:
Health Systems in Transition, 2013; 15(2)
Notes:
Bibliografija.
Contents:
Preface — Acknowledgements — List of abbreviations — List of tables, figures and boxes — Abstract — Executive summary — 1. Introduction: 1.1. Geography and sociodemography; 1.2. Economic context; 1.3. Political context; 1.4. Health status — 2. Organization and governance: 2.1. Overview of the health system; 2.2. Historical background; 2.3. Organization; 2.4. Decentralization and centralization; 2.5. Planning; 2.6. Intersectorality; 2.7. Health information management; 2.8. Regulation; 2.9. Patient empowerment — 3. Financing: 3.1. Health expenditure; 3.2. Sources of revenue and financial flows; 3.3. Overview of the statutory financing system; 3.4. Out-of-pocket payments; 3.5. Voluntary health insurance; 3.6. Other financing; 3.7. Payment mechanisms — 4. Physical and human resources: 4.1. Physical resources; 4.2. Human resources — 5. Provision of services: 5.1. Public health; 5.2. Patient pathways; 5.3. Primary / ambulatory care; 5.4. Specialized ambulatory care / inpatient care; 5.5. Emergency care; 5.6. Pharmaceutical care; 5.7. Rehabilitation / intermediate care; 5.8. Long-term care; 5.9. Services for informal carers; 5.10. Palliative care; 5.11. Mental health care; 5.12. Dental care; 5.13. Complementary and alternative medicine; 5.14. Health services for specific populations —6. Principal health reforms: 6.1. Analysis of recent reforms; 6.2. Future developments — 7. Assessment of the health system: 7.1. Stated objectives of the health system; 7.2. Financial protection and equity in financing; 7.3. User experience and equity of access to health care; 7.4. Health outcomes, health service outcomes and quality of care; 7.5. Health system efficiency; 7.6. Transparency and accountability — 8. Conclusions — 9. Appendices: 9.1. References; 9.2. HiT methodology and production process; 9.3. The review process; 9.4. About the authors.
Subject Category:
LT
Sveikatos priežiūra / Health care; Finansavimas / Financing.
Summary / Abstract:

ENThis analysis of the Lithuanian health system reviews the developments in organization and governance, health financing, health-care provision, health reforms and health system performance since 2000. The Lithuanian health system is a mixed system, predominantly funded from the National Health Insurance Fund through a compulsory health insurance scheme, supplemented by substantial state contributions on behalf of the economically inactive population amounting to about half of its budget. Public financing of the health sector has gradually increased since 2004 to 5.2 % of GDP in 2010. Although the Lithuanian health system was tested by the recent economic crisis, Lithuania’s counter-cyclical state health insurance contribution policies (ensuring coverage for the economically inactive population) helped the health system to weather the crisis, and Lithuania successfully used the crisis as a lever to reduce the prices of medicines. Yet the future impact of cuts in public health spending is a cause for concern. In addition, out-of-pocket payments remain high (in particular for pharmaceuticals) and could threaten health access for vulnerable groups. A number of challenges remain. The primary care system needs strengthening so that more patients are treated instead of being referred to a specialist, which will also require a change in attitude by patients. Transparency and accountability need to be increased in resource allocation, including financing of capital investment and in the payer–provider relationship. Finally, population health, albeit improving, remains a concern, and major progress can be achieved by reducing the burden of amenable and preventable mortality. Keywords: delivery of health care; evaluation studies; financing, health; health care reform; health system plans - organization and administration; Lithuania. [From the publication]

Subject:
Related Publications:
Permalink:
https://www.lituanistika.lt/content/114652
Updated:
2025-04-29 20:49:21
Export:
Download