|
In
1950s and 60s, market research and business management techniques from
the United States made their appearance in Italy. Innovative techniques
changed the entire approach to selling to the point that Adriano Olivetti
and other entrepreneurs felt it necessary to set up a business school
to introduce these ideas to Italian business practice.
The
precise aim of market research then and now was to identify and make
consumers aware of their subconscious desires. At present, this type
of research is used in surveys, especially in the health sector, to
award the "blue quality label" to this or that hospital or university
department, and is based on objectively insufficient data. There is
no doubt that the institutions examined cannot give documented opinions
or appraisals. This is not enough to ensure an inquiry or research is
scientifically accurate, nor is it enough to bestow awards of excellence
upon a particular institution or head physician.
The
reasons are as follows:
1)
Universities and hospitals are extremely reticent and do not provide
information on the results achieved by the establishment in general,
even less so, on individual wards or departments.
2)
This "conspiracy of silence" was heightened still further with the advent
of general managers with the power to choose their own staff and who
should (the conditional tense is essential), be responsible for the
results.Local health (ASL) and regional authorities also favour silence
even though their public status ought, we stress ought, to oblige them
to provide the information requested.This silence damages operators
in the sector who are committed to their work and whose professionalism
is often unappreciated. It does not take a congress or debate to understand
that this is one of the reasons why many doctors prefer to work abroad,
so depriving the Italian health sector of valuable expertise and prestige.
3)
Over the past two years, we have contacted many hospitals, ASLs and
regional authorities asking for information, sending printed forms prepared
by experts that are easy to fill in.To date, we must acknowledge that
only Molise has sent us a volume containing all the information requested
in full and complete form. Where other regions are concerned, the very
regions that boast of their public health programmes supplied superficial,
incomplete data.
Our
thanks, therefore, to the Molise health authorities for their kind help
and co-operation.We have plenty more to write on this subject as specialised
journalists, ordinary citizens and patients. We will certainly do so,
despite the opposition and silence, as soon as we have gathered the
necessary data, based on scientifically sound data, not hearsay. We
promise you that the resulting "league table" will be full of surprises...
|
