Dear participants of the 10th International Conference on Integrated Care,
As indicated in literature, organization of care differs not only between countries but also between geographical areas within a country, such as hospital authorities and municipalities.
These differences may not affect only availability, access and utilization of care, but also resources consumed and perhaps even health outcomes.
It is quite evident that success in care integration is one of the most critical points in delivery of care in highly professional, hierarchical and separated care settings. However, our understanding of relationship between health care system characteristics and, for instance, populations’ health is limited. Therefore, quite obviously, both theoretical and empirical scientific research is needed in assessment of the effects of differences in care patterns on the performance of health care systems. Naturally, we all aim at improving health care to better meet the needs of the populations and societies. For these reasons, care integration forms a major interest within the field of health services research also at the Tampere School of Public Health.
We are greatly honored to be a partner in hosting the 10th International Conference on Integrated Care. The Tampere School of Public Health, at the University of Tampere, is one of the main academic institutions in the field of public health and health services research in Finland and in the Nordic countries. In addition to educational tasks, we are active in research within some strategic areas, including health services research. Therefore, we look forward to having a successful conference, which approaches care integration from a multidisciplinary point of view, and which critically and creatively attempts to analyze and solve most important questions in care integration.
On behalf of the Tampere School of Public Health at the University of Tampere, I am happy to welcome you to the 10th International Conference on Integrated Care and to Tampere.
I wish you the most successful Conference!