INTERNATIONAL HEALTH CARE REGULATION AT NATIONAL AND INSTITUTIONAL LEVELS IN LATVIA

Abstract

The number of foreign patients who use medical services in Latvia increases every year and health care institutions have to provide quality services. The research problem is related to lack of a unified quality system in Latvian healthcare industry. The aim of the study is to introduce suggestions regarding the implementation of the international requirements to health systems outlined by the Directive 2011/24/EU. Research method is a focus group discussion with 8 Latvian health care experts and executives. Research results indicate that health care provider measures are introduced to a higher grade than national level measures reflecting the need for more comprehensive systemic changes in the governance of the system. Main improvements should be made regarding e-health system on national level, and medical follow-ups on institutional level.