A health system, also sometimes referred to as a healthcare system, is the organization of people, institutions, and resources that deliver health care services to meet the health needs of target populations.
Published in Chapter:
Using Digital Tools to Improve Policy Making and Citizens' Decisions in Healthcare
Jéssica Tavares (GOVCOPP, University of Aveiro, Portugal), Gonçalo Santinha (GOVCOPP, University of Aveiro, Portugal), Luís Jorge Gonçalves (University of Aveiro, Portugal), and Teresa Forte (University of Aveiro, Portugal)
Copyright: © 2021
|Pages: 15
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-6701-2.ch006
Abstract
Several studies report an overall critical judgement to the Portuguese health system by national citizens, who focus not only on the increased costs associated with healthcare, waiting lists for appointments, and waiting times for emergency services, but also on the lack of appropriate tools and means that can help them to make more informed decisions concerning healthcare. This chapter aims to explore and test the potential development of a digital tool capable of offering accurate, updated, and extended information on care providers and services as well as access to care facilities. Overall, this application is perceived as useful in conveying a wider knowledge of healthcare options that may not only foster more informed and rational choices, but also help policymakers to understand the main factors underlying citizens' choices of healthcare providers.