Policy reform and health administration education in Greece

Under a Socialist Government since 1981, Greece has had dramatic policy reforms that aim to socialize the health sector. The National Health System Act (1983) and related legislation have seriously affected most aspects of health care in favor of the public sector. However, the traditional consumption patterns developed in the private sector continue to exist, and many aspects of medical technology have remained almost untouched. From these reforms and their shortcomings, the need for extensive administrative reforms and health administration education has emerged. A task force on the latter has led to the establishment of a graduate program to be supplemented with continuing education for all health care employees. This article points out the importance of such training programs for Greece.