Discusiones Técnicas : La coordinación de los servicios desde el punto de vista del seguro social

Abstract

At the present time the need to coordinate the activities of various agencies concerned with public health is an accepted principle; furthermore, in several countries various forms of coordination between both public and private institutions are to be observed. But coordination must bring with it a new attitude on the part of those who are attempting to promote it and use it; it must not result in a loss of independence, nor hamper the advance and improvement of social security. Coordination does not mean the disappearance of any of the systems; on the contrary; it means the common use of existing facilities and makes it possible to use resources where they are most needed. In accordance with this approach the first stages in coordination should begin at the periphery with services which will give large numbers of persons access to an acceptable level of care for the first time; this is more practical than attempting to coordinate areas already covered whose services are not always of the same quality. Coordination of existing services cannot be achieved unless basic conditions, including conditions of work and the policies governing quality and cost of care, are first made uniform. The author concludes by recommending a new survey of the field to be organized by the Pan American Sanitary Bureau. It is to be hoped that it will result in valuable information on the resources and problems