Exploratory steps for the formulation of Belgian health system targets
Authors: Obyn Caroline , Cordon Audrey , Kohn Laurence , Devos Carl , Léonard Christian 
Published: January 2025

INTRODUCTION 8 -- 1.1 CONTEXT .8 -- 1.2 AIM OF THE PROJECT 9 -- 1.3 SCOPE OF THE PROJECT: OVER ARCHING OBJECTIVES 9 -- 1.4 PRIMARY VIEWPOINT OF THIS STUDY IS ON FEDERAL COMPETENCIES 11 -- 2 METHODS 12 -- 2.1 GUIDING OF THE PROJECT 12 -- 2.2 INVENTORY OF EXISTING TARGETS 12 -- 2.2.1 Definition of target .12 -- 2.2.2 Identification and sifting of targets 12 -- 2.2.3 Validation of national targets by the steering group 12 -- 2.2.4 Validation and completion of the target inventory in expert meetings 13 -- 2.2.5 Categorisation of targets 13 -- 2.3 FORMULATION OF SUGGESTIONS FOR HEALTH SYSTEM TARGETS BASED ON THE INDICATORS OF THE HSPA 13 -- 2.4 HEALTH TARGET SYSTEMS IN OTHER COUNTRIES 13 -- 3 RESULTS: INVENTORY OF TARGETS (ORDERED BY HSPA DOMAIN) 14 -- 3.1 HEALTH STATUS 15 -- 3.2 EQUITY AND INEQUALITIES 16 -- 3.3 ACCESSIBILITY 16 -- 3.4 QUALITY-OF-CARE: EFFECTIVENESS OF CARE .17 -- 3.5 QUALITY-OF-CARE: APPROPRIATENESS OF CARE .17 -- 3.6 QUALITY-OF-CARE: SAFETY OF CARE 19 -- 3.7 QUALITY-OF-CARE: CONTINUITY OF CARE19 -- 3.8 QUALITY-OF-CARE: PATIENT CENTEREDNESS OF CARE 19 -- 3.9 EFFICIENCY OF THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM 20 -- 3.10 SUSTAINABILITY 20 -- 3.11 HEALTH PROMOTION AND LIFESTYLES 21 -- 3.12 MENTAL HEALTHCARE .23 -- 3.13 LONG-TERM CARE FOR THE ELDERLY .23 -- 3.14 CARE AT THE END-OF-LIFE 23 -- 3.15 PREVENTIVE CARE .24 -- 4 GETTING INSPIRATION FROM OTHER COUNTRIES AND REGIONS .25 -- 4.1 INTRODUCTION .25 -- 4.2 COUNTRY AND PROGRAMME SELECTION.25 -- 4.3 OVERVIEW 26 -- 4.3.1 Structured target-setting programmes versus ad hoc approaches .26 -- 4.3.2 Type of targets (outcomes  processes  structures) and level to which targets are imposed (macro  meso  micro) 27 -- 4.3.3 Stated aims of the target-setting programmes 28 -- 4.3.4 Descriptive target formulation versus quantified targets 29 -- 4.3.5 Scope of the target-setting programmes: comprehensiveness versus focus 30 -- 4.3.6 Time horizon 31 -- 4.3.7 Additions to target formulation 31 -- 4.3.8 Monitoring and publication of results .33 -- 4.3.9 Communication of target-setting programmes 33 -- 5 DISCUSSION 33 -- 5.1 THE LIST OF TARGETS PRESENTED IS A GROSS INVENTORY 33 -- 5.1.1 This is an inventory of quantified targets only 33 -- 5.1.2 The inventory of targets includes a mixture of target layers 33 -- 5.2 WHAT THE INVENTORY OF FEDERAL TARGETS CONFIRMS , 36 -- 5.2.1 Many targets have already been formulated by the federal actors in Belgium 36 -- 5.2.2 but the initiatives are not coordinated 37 -- 5.3 WHAT THE INVENTORY OF SUPRANATIONAL TARGETS SHOWS .37 -- 5.4 HEALTH INTELLIGENCE ELEMENTS FOR SETTING AND MONITORING HEALTH TARGETS IN BELGIUM ARE ABUNDANTLY AVAILABLE .38 -- 5.5 CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS FOR TARGETS .38 -- 5.6, POSSIBLE NEXT STEPS 39 -- 5.6.1 Prioritise topics for target-setting .39 -- 5.6.2 Involve stakeholders 39 -- 5.6.3 Work on a coherent set of targets at different layers .40 -- 5.6.4 Link targets to action plans to foster implementation .40 -- 5.6.5 Develop a more diversified palette of target-setting modalities 40 -- 5.6.6 Evolve towards Health in all policies 4