Perspective Chapter: Shifting toward Value-Based Healthcare – Lessons Learned in the Context of Breast Cancer Treatment

Abstract

Latvia, an EU member state, is characterized by one of the lowest healthcare funding levels within the union. This circumstance, coupled with the increasing demands of an aging population, necessitates a reassessment of healthcare funding principles. This paper evaluates, overviews, and analyses the implementation of a value-based healthcare (VBHC) model, widely regarded in contemporary practice as the optimal strategy for delivering effective, efficient, high-quality, patient-centered healthcare services. The study covers the main theoretical aspects of VBHC concept, explores the main lessons learned from various countries and institutions that have attempted to implement VBHC, and delves into the challenges encountered during the implementation of VBHC in breast cancer treatment in Latvia. It focuses on the launch of transition from a pay-for-service model to a VBHC, emphasizing the paradigm shift toward integrated patient-centered healthcare delivery. Furthermore, it examines the pivotal role of data and digital transformation in facilitating this transition as well as the open discussion with the stakeholders.