[University hospitals in Brazil: challenges and future perspectives]

The changing process of health care services affects the University Hospitals (UH) in a particular manner. This paper aims to analyse the challenges and future perspectives of the Brazilian UH. In order to do so, only the UH affiliated to the Brazilian Federal Teaching Institutions were analysed. There is a substantial heterogeneity amongst UH in Brazil, in terms of size and organizational structure as well as in the type of health care provided. Brazilian UH represent core elements of two State policies: Education and Health. Consequently, the existing tensions between these two policies, to some extent, often reflect on the UH. Also, the UH must frequently address challenges that go beyond their purpose. Organizational sustainability remains a crucial issue to the UH. This concept entails effective financial and management skills, outcomes monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and accountability. UH in Brazil have two main roles: providing health care and integrating the National Health System. From a future perspective, the UH shall be conceived from a much broader perspective than that of institutions that only provide health care. The future of Brazilian UH relies on their capacity to provide effective support to the State Health and Education policies.