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312 Economic crisis, health systems and health in Europe: country experience
Appendix 9.1
Expert panels on impact on health and health systems
Two expert panels were convened on the impact of the socioeconomic
crises, one on health and another on health systems, in order to complement
existent information and assist in a more in-depth analysis and weighting of
available evidence.
The panel on the health impacts met 5 March 2013 and included two practising
medical public health experts, one from a northern part of the country and
another from the centre–south; an endocrinologist coordinating the Portuguese
Diabetes Observatory; a mental health expert engaged in research concerning
the mental health effects of this crisis; an expert on the health of older people
who had a nursing background, and a GP, coordinating a family health unit.
The panel on the health systems impact met 6 March 2013 and included the
executive director of a health centre grouping, the basic organizational set up of
primary health care in Portugal; two hospital administrators with a managerial
background; a hospital director with a medical background; and a physician
experienced in coordinating hospital emergency departments.
Panel members received advance information concerning the study objectives,
process and questions included in the study framework regarding health and
health systems impact, as well as the way panels were expected to operate.
The panel worked on the basis of a focus group approach, as follows.
1st round
Initial statement. Considering questions indicated above, each expert will make
an initial statement, selecting those questions he/she feels more appropriate to
address (on the basis of his/hers professional experience and knowledge).
Discussion. All other experts were invited to complement the initial statement
from each expert.
Clarifications. At the end of this first round of statements, case study
coordinators could ask for some further explanations and clarifications;
The panel members were informed that their statements could be based on one
or more of the following information sources: personal experience or personal
information from reliable sources, objective information from reliable sources,
official reports and/or systematic studies.
2nd round
Final discussion. All experts were invited to a final statement on the issues
discussed.