Purpose: The aim of this work is to describe the Portuguese health system and to provide a SWOT approach of its present situation. In this way, a clear and simplified picture of the health system can be offered and some strategies are proposed to improve the functioning of the health system. The methodology used is descriptive, based on a literature review structured by SWOT tools and the WHO d...

The primary objective of the National Research Council (NRC) Decadal Survey recommended SWOT (Surface Water and Ocean Topography) Mission is to measure the water elevation of the global oceans, as well as terrestrial water bodies (such as rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and wetlands), to answer key scientific questions on the kinetic energy of ocean circulation, the spatial and temporal variability ...

This case study analyzes the design and implementation of the Basic Package of Health Services (BPHS) in Afghanistan by synthesizing the literature with a focus on maternal health services. The authors are a group of graduate students in the Brandeis University International Health Policy and Management Program and Sustainable International Development Program who used the experience in Afghani...

In this paper, we present the results of a study where a GDSS-approach was used for a SWOT-based strategy analysis of the Finnish forest industries. Forest industries belong to the basic, strategic industries in the world, and they have a great importance for the Finnish economy. This study is the first part of a research program that aims at finding visions and alternative strategies in the fi...

This research reviewed the health IS (HIS) strategy of the New Zealand government and highlighted different gaps in this strategy, as raised by the different stakeholders involved in this strategy. In order to address such gaps, the government provided different Critical Success Factors (CSFs) for the successful implementation of the national HIS strategy. This research introduced the telemedic...

The reform of Portuguese public hospitals can be described as an evolution by “waves”. A first “wave” took place in 2002, when 34 public hospitals were transformed into State-owned hospital enterprises (SA hospitals). Subsequently, in January 2006, the SA hospitals and some of the traditional public administration hospitals (SPA hospitals) were changed into public business enterprises (EPE hosp...

Mutual prodrug is a form of prodrug in which two pharmacologically active agents are attached to each other in such a way that each drug acts as a promoiety/carrier for each other and vice versa. The association may be “synergistic” if the carrier shows the same biological action as that of parent drug or may provide “additional” benefit if it shows new pharmacological action which is lacking i...