Authors: Carlos Pereira Alves (President of the Board of Directors, APDH), Ana Escoval (Member of the Board of Directors, APDH), Ana Tito Lívio (Technical Advisor and Project manager, APDH) and Sverre Harbo (Deputy chairman of the board, NSH); Kine Stabekk (General secretary, NSH)

Exploring hospital management practices and innovations within the Norwegian healthcare system

A core pillar of the IHF network is the exchange of knowledge to advance leadership competencies in healthcare delivery. In this spirit, two IHF Full Members partnered in September 2024 to organize a hospital administration study visit to explore the Norwegian healthcare system.

The study visit took place from 23 to 25 September 2024, organized by the Portuguese Association for Hospital Development (APDH) and the National School of Public Health (NOVA NSPH), with essential support and hosting provided by the Norwegian Hospital and Health Service Association (NSH). The initiative was conducted in collaboration with the Portuguese Association of Hospital Administrators – APAH (IHF Premier associate member), the NOVA NSPH Student Association, and the NOVA NSPH Alumni Association.

A group of 47 Portuguese participants, mostly students of Hospital Administration Course, contributed to the co-creation of the scientific programme for the study visit. Several active hospital administrators from across the country, from north to south, also participated. This initiative provided an immersion into the Norwegian healthcare system, focusing on governance, financing, innovation, and integrated care.

The purpose of the visit was to understand hospital management practices and explore innovations within the Norwegian healthcare system, fostering the exchange of best practices between Portugal and Norway. The success of this initiative was largely attributed to the liaison facilitated by the IHF between APDH and NSH, a key partner in coordinating visits to all the organizations involved.

Carlos Pereira Alves, President of the Board of Directors, APDH

The study visit programme

Day 1: Norwegian Directorate of Health

On 23 September, the group from Portugal began with a visit to the Norwegian Directorate of Health for a session on governance and financing models within the Norwegian healthcare system. The discussion focused on primary care managed by municipalities and hospital services, providing insights into the organizational structure and funding mechanisms. Key challenges facing the Norwegian healthcare system were also addressed, including the shortage of healthcare professionals and the increasing demand for care, were discussed. Proposed solutions emphasizing greater integration of healthcare services were also highlighted as strategies to enhance efficiency and accessibility. Another critical topic was digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI), where Norway’s leadership in digital transformation and the use of AI in healthcare was emphasized, showcasing pioneering initiatives to improve care delivery and patient outcomes. The day culminated with a presentation introducing the Norwegian Healthcare Sustainability Roadmap. This session focused on strategies to reduce the sector’s carbon footprint, reinforcing Norway’s commitment to sustainable healthcare practices.

Day 2: Oslo Science Park and Norway Health Tech

The second day commenced with a visit to the Oslo Science Park and Norway Health Tech where participants had the opportunity to explore the Norwegian innovation ecosystem and integrated care model. A “speed dating” session involving various entities that support the development of innovative projects was followed by a presentation on public–private collaboration, focusing on how such partnerships can drive innovation within the healthcare system. Finally, an introduction to the Vestre Viken Health Trust highlighted how the integration of healthcare provided by municipalities and specialized services is managed. The presentation also emphasized the importance of collaboration between healthcare organizations and industry as a means of fostering mutual growth, improving patient care and advancing the use of artificial intelligence in diagnostics.

Day 3: Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, and Reception at the Portuguese Ambassador’s Residence

The third day included several sessions at the Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, focusing on academic discussions and research. The visit kicked off with a reception and a presentation on the future challenges facing the Norwegian healthcare system, including population aging and mental health issues among younger populations. Following this, students from the National School of Public Health presented the Portuguese healthcare system, promoting an exchange of experiences regarding key challenges and solutions which inspired an engaging discussion. The session continued with a presentation on oncology research activities at Oslo University Hospital. In the afternoon, participants attended a session on sustainability in healthcare, emphasizing research and education.

The study visit concluded with a reception at the official residence of the Portuguese Ambassador to Norway, where 30 participants (including students and representatives from NOVA NSPH, Deputy Director Rui Santana, Coordinator of Hospital Administration Course Teresa Magalhães, Board adviser and Alumni deputy, Miguel Lopes, Technical Advisor and Project Manager and from APDH Ana Lívio; and representatives from the Norwegian Directorate of Health, including Directors Hilde Myhren and Sverre Harbo and the General Secretary from NSH Kine Stabekk) were warmly welcomed by Ambassador Pedro Pessoa e Costa. This gathering was an excellent opportunity to strengthen ties and reflect on the lessons learned during the visit.

Webinar: “Um Olhar sobre o Sistema de Saúde do Reino da Noruega“

The study visit culminated in the organization of a webinar titled “Um Olhar sobre o Sistema de Saúde do Reino da Noruega” (‘A Look at the Healthcare System of the Kingdom of Norway’), which was held on 21 January 2025. The webinar (recording available here) provided a unique opportunity to discuss key issues addressed during the study visit and share the insights gained with a broader audience.

Key takeaways:

• Reflection on the visit: The study visit offered participants with an in-depth understanding of the Norwegian healthcare system, emphasizing an innovative solutions and integrated care model. The initiative also highlighted the value of international collaboration and mutual learning between IHF members, facilitating a deeper appreciation of diverse healthcare approaches.
• Impact on participants: The 47 participants returned with new insights into management practices and innovations in healthcare, ready to apply their learnings in their own contexts.
• Synergies created between IHF Members: The synergies formed between the IHF members, NSH and APDH, have persisted beyond the activity and may lead to future initiatives, including a possible visit by Norwegian managers to explore the healthcare system in Portugal.

Rui Santana, Deputy Director, NOVA NSPH

Sverre Harbo, Deputy Chair of the Board, NSH

Kine Stabekk, General Secretary, NSH

Ana Escoval, Member of the Board of Directors, APDH

Ana Tito Lívio, Technical Advisor and Project Manager, APDH

Teresa Magalhães, Coordinator of Hospital Administration Course, NOVA NSPH

Miguel Lopes, Board Adviser and Alumni Deputy, NOVA NSPH

Marisa Costa (52nd HAC), Inês Elvas (53rd HAC), Irene de Almeida (54th HAC) Students from Hospital Administration Course (HAC), NOVA NSPH

Acknowledgments

APDH and NSH would like to express their gratitude for the invaluable support and contribution to the success of this initiative, first and foremost, to the IHF, namely Senior Partnership and Programme Manager Sara Perazzi and CEO Ronald Lavater; to The Norwegian Directorate of Health, explicitly to Hilde Myhren, Head of Division, Division of Specialist health care and international collaboration, Torunn Janbu, Head of Department, Dept of Specialist professional development, Kristin Dahlen, Senior advisor, Dept of Financing and Case mix, Marie Thoresen, Senior advisor, Dept of Competence Development, Astrid Nylenna Specialty Director, Division of Public health and preventative healthcare, Siv Anita Fjellkårstad, Senior Advisor, Dept. og Pharmaceuticals and biomedicine and Liv Cecilie Thomsen Head of Department Department for Health Registries, National Institute of Public Health and to Erlend Tuseth Aasheim from Division of Municipal health and emergency preparedness and Centre for Sustainability in Health Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo. We also wish to acknowledge Elen Høeg, Head of Health2B; Tron Anders Moger from University of Oslo and Institute Health and Society; Anders Moger, Eivind Engebretsen and Kristin Heggen from University of Oslo; Trond Tjerbo, HELED, UIO; Rui Santana Deputy Director, Teresa Magalhães, Coordinator of Hospital Administration Course and Miguel Lopes, Board adviser and Alumni deputy from NOVA NSPH; Denil Pinto, Project Manager, Trade and Investment from AICEP Portugal Global; the Portuguese Ambassador to Norway Pedro Pessoa e Costa, and his wife Ana Pessoa e Costa and Inês Simões.