On February 22nd, 2017, the Centre of Clinical, Health Economics, and Outcome Research (CCHO) sponsored the ISSP, Institute of Public Health at St. Joseph University event. A scientific presentation entitled “New Challenges of Healthcare Systems: Impact on Quality and Performance” and animated by Dr. Dabbous, highlighted the new challenges governments are facing worldwide such as the rising cost of innovative health technology. These issues are specifically faced in oncology, orphan and chronic diseases.  He also elaborated on the new trends shaping systems worldwide as HTA units, their roles in informing policy makers and payers, and the BIG data paralleled with the digital health.

The presentation was immensely rich and exciting.  By the end of the talk, participants representing officials and professionals from different healthcare institutions and universities in Lebanon debated over several healthcare decision making policies and processes. Some discussions revolved around payment models and rewards, capping policies, patients’ engagement role, healthcare data generation and availability and quality measures. This left the audience with numerous thought-provoking messages and ideas to help initiate the examination of healthcare access, cost, and quality.

The conference was followed by a reception at the Medical Faculty Campus.