Person centered re-orientation of Healthcare: the Italian case

Background/Problem/Objective In Italy, the broad experience gained during the 40 years of activity of the National Healthcare Service brought to relevant results also in terms of health promotion. Still, weaknesses and critical aspects persist. It seems useful and appropriate to understand the possible reasons for these obstacles and to find new, innovative ways to keep health promotion active and to strengthen equity mechanisms in order to effectively re-orient healthcare services and keep people at their center. Methods/Intervention The Symposium will use a Peer-learning methodology, consist- ing in an open debate on key points singled out by International and Italian NHS experts, with particular attention to the main achievements and critical aspects related to health promotion and to the healthcare re-orienting actions related to it. The key presentations by the experts will be supported by two discus- sant who will stimulate the debate with the audience. Results (of evaluation) The expected results concern the acquisition of an improved knowledge on the gaps and difficulties in promoting health; an improved knowledge on the possible ways for strengthening health promotion and health literacy at national level; new ideas on how to support advocacy, mediation and enabling actions for health promotion in accordance with the Ottawa charter; an improved vision for the Italian HPH Networks in designing innovative and health promoting healthcare services; a stronger approach to equity in healthcare services. Conclusions/Lessons learned The Symposium is an occasion to analyze and discuss the main results, achievements and failures of Health Promotion at National level. The Conclusions/Lessons learned of the event will be useful to improve the modalities for planning, carrying out and evaluating health promotion results in the Italian NHS with particular regard to the five actions proposed by the Ottawa Charter: Build Healthy Public Policy, Create Supportive Environments, Strengthen Community Actions, Develop Per- sonal Skills, Reorient Health Services.