Feb 15, 2022

Economist Impact Report Series (part I): Resilience in Healthcare Systems

‘Resilience’ in healthcare has been a hot topic in recent years, with several frameworks being put forward to assess, measure, and quantify this concept in relation to health systems.

Roadmap to Resilience is an Economist Impact led, three-part report series commissioned by Philips. It features analysis from Australian and New Zealand healthcare experts and thought leaders, who speak to post pandemic health system recovery. The report series also features insights from the Philips Future Health Index (FHI) 2021 report: ‘A Resilient Future: Healthcare leaders look beyond the crisis’ .

Resilience in Healthcare Systems is the first article in the series, and aims to comment on the resilience of the health systems of Australia and New Zealand in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This article offers a perspective on how some facets of resilience have been incorporated successfully and other areas that can be improved to sustain operations under both expected and unexpected conditions. It points out significant changes required in planning for and approaching health service provision if health systems are to successfully transition from response to recovery to building back better in the future.

To improve sustainable resilience, health systems need to reflect on what collective and practical lessons from the covid-19 crisis can be developed for better preparation, response, and resilience in the future."

Professor Stephen Duckett

Health Program Director at Grattan Institute

Key Takeaways

Flexibility is essential to adapt to changing needs and situations
There is a need for cooperation, both within and across health systems and countries
Governance needs to be strengthened to ensure accountability and transparency in mitigation and adaptation plans