Decentralization in Croatia's Health System

Abstract

Although decentralization is based on the simple idea that smaller organizations, properly structured and steered, are inherently more agile and accountable than larger organizations, in the health system this idea requires much more exploration (Saltman et al. 2007). Health systems are large and composed of several subsystems, including health care providers, health financing, and public administration. All of them have their own organizational patterns and values. Furthermore, inside each of them are further divisions, sometimes with almost opposite approaches: health promotion, disease prevention, clinical medicine, or palliative care. All of these subsystems and divisions could recognize decentralization as an opportunity or a threat.