Experiences of teacher training in economic evaluation for health professionals in Cuba

Abstract

The objective of this study was to conduct a literature review to assess the importance of teacher training on the economic assessment for professionals working in the Cuban National Health Service (NHS). The assessment will be used as a working tool to guide the process of decision-making in the health sector and to increase the efficiency of different actions to be undertaken in the country. We conducted a literature review to search comprehensive information about this topic at the national and international levels with the intention of incorporating this discipline as a component of crucial importance for the pursuit of efficiency in the Cuban health-care system. Teacher training in economic evaluation applied to the field of health is considered an aspect that improves the rational use of different health technologies, which implies an efficient use of resources for the NHS in Cuba. Although the costs of these therapies are becoming more substantial, their assessment in terms of efficiency allows us to identify effective and less costly interventions for the health sector in Cuba by defining the best strategies to support the process of decision-making. We can confirm that the teacher training in economic evaluation of health professionals for the NHS has been a pressing need. The goal is to develop an economic culture that enables the personnel to show an increased efficiency in performing their normal duties and tasks when developing health interventions that are organized and developed in the country.