Against the backdrop of increasing healthcare expenditures — which had already reached €52.3 billion in Austria by 2023 — the province of Tyrol faces a growing challenge in developing its healthcare services while expanding its health promotion strategy. The goal is to foster a future with more healthy years of life and an enhanced quality of life, aligning with the "Roadmap for the Future of Health Promotion" (BMSGPK, 2023).
In December, 3rd semester students from the International Health & Social Management and European Master in Health Economics & Management programs participated in a plenary session, organized as part of an elective course, “Real-life Simulation”, held at the Landhaus in Innsbruck. This aimed at addressing the challenges posed by rising healthcare costs in Tyrol. Organized as part of the cooperation between the province of Tyrol and the Center for Social & Health Innovation at the MCI, the session served as a platform to kickstart conversations about how health promotion measures could gain greater acceptance and be implemented more effectively through systems approaches.
Students were tasked with exploring the potential of applying the principles of systems thinking to propose innovative solutions for addressing selected critical health issues in Tyrol. The distinguished panel of stakeholders, comprising Dr. Cornelia Hagele (Regional Minister of Health), the Regional Health Directorate Group (Land Tirol), and representatives from the State Institute for Integrated Care provided valuable feedback on the students' proposals. Not only did they acknowledge the significance and relevance of the topics the students have chosen, they also commended the students for their innovative and practical approach to systemic health promotion juxtaposed with current interventions in place or in the pipeline. They particularly appreciated the emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement. Constructive feedback was provided on refining implementation strategies, ensuring policy alignment, and addressing potential barriers to acceptance among the population.
This conversation has highlighted the following key areas the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement. Encouraging partnerships among healthcare providers, policymakers, and community organizations is crucial to create a cohesive health promotion framework. On this note, enhancing public awareness and participation in health programs could contribute to long-term behavioral change. The plenary session proved to be a valuable platform for exchanging ideas and bridging academic insights with real-world policymaking. By integrating systems thinking into health promotion, the students demonstrated how innovative strategies can contribute to sustainable healthcare development in Tyrol. The discussion underscored the importance of continued collaboration between academic institutions, policymakers, and healthcare professionals in shaping a healthier future for the region.
Moving forward, the insights gained from this session could inform the province’s strategic health initiatives, fostering a more proactive and integrated approach to health promotion. The engagement of young professionals in such dialogues highlights the potential for fresh perspectives to drive meaningful change in healthcare systems.
Students presenting their proposals to the stakeholder panel in a 5-minute pitch ©MCI
Interactions between stakeholder panel and students ©MCI
Discussions and feedback after each student presentation ©MCI
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