Is integration of health services and manpower development possible? The Beer Sheva case study

This paper presents a study of the organizational and management arrangements made to enhance integration between health services and health manpower development (HSMD) in the Negev region of Israel. The University Centre for Health Scinces (UCHS) in Beer Sheva provides a unique model for studying the deployment of academic resources in the development of an integrated health care system. This paper begins with a rationale for the establishment of the Centre. Then the organization is described and the factors which enhance and impede collaboration are analysed. Finally, the achievements of the UCHS to date are discussed.