Head of the study: Prof. Sanja Balen, MD, PhD
E-mail: sanja.balen@medri.uniri.hr
The university specialist study of Healthcare Management is a university study programme organised by the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Rijeka in cooperation with the Faculty of Economics and Business, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Rijeka and other institutions from abroad. It lasts three semesters (90 ECTS credits), i.e. one and a half academic year. The study programme includes compulsory and optional courses, practical work, final thesis and additional activities. The maximum number of participants per year is 25. Enrolment depends on the classification procedure that includes overall success in graduate studies, achieved master’s and doctorate degrees, professional experience in management, etc.
This study can be enrolled by people who completed a 4–6-year university study (biomedicine, economics and law) or a graduate study whose profiles participate in the organisation of work and reform of health institutions. The study is intended for highly educated persons who are involved in the management of health institutions and departments or will be involved in healthcare reform in any way. The purpose of the study is to provide specialised knowledge focused on modern management methods and an interdisciplinary approach to a complex system such as health institutions. With their current education, it is not possible for physicians, who mainly hold managerial positions in health institutions, to keep up with legal regulations, business operations, procurement and consumption regulation and basic economic and legal principles. On the other hand, the staff educated in this direction at our higher education institutions lacks knowledge of basic biomedical laws. We also rarely train people with basic professional management and communication skills and knowledge. Therefore, the interdisciplinary approach is one of the greatest values of this type of postgraduate training. Upon completion of the study, the participant is awarded the title of healthcare management specialist.