[Health programs. The management of a program]

An opinion article of health care programmes questioning the effects and benefits of their management. The AA, based on their experience in management/administration, present suggestions to identify, quantify and analyse a problem in health care. After characterising a health care problem, the AA point out the fundamental role of planning (in health care) and invited interdepartmental collaboration between the various levels of health care managers. The eventual mission of health care programmes is stressed, their structural conformity with the external environment (community) and internal environment (health care institutions), the resources affected, their process and the results to be achieved, as well as their co-ordination. The programme manager, with a specific profile and duties, is suggested as an important leadership factor. The conclusion advises health care strategists of the future importance of the programmes.