Participation of a TNMU Associate Professor in a Seminar on Health Economics
Associate Professor of the Department of Pediatrics No. 2 at Ternopil National Medical University Tetiana Kovalchuk, took part in a professional seminar “Health Economic Evaluation”, held from April 12 to April 20, 2025. The event was organized by the Open Medical Institute—an international educational initiative established in 1993 by the American Austrian Foundation in cooperation with Weill Cornell Medical College and the Open Society Foundations. The Institute’s main goal is to promote the improvement of global medical education, and provide physicians with up-to-date knowledge, modern practices, and access to interdisciplinary collaboration.
The seminar brought together over 40 healthcare professionals from various countries in Central and Eastern Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. The program included lectures, group discussions, practical case studies, and exchanges of international experience in implementing economic evaluation in the healthcare sector. Key seminar topics included the cost-effectiveness of medical technologies, healthcare cost analysis, evaluation of treatment and prevention effectiveness, principles of decision-making based on economic indicators, and the impact of economic evaluation on healthcare policy. Lectures were delivered by leading scholars and educators from Maastricht University (Netherlands), who have hands-on experience in shaping and implementing health economic policies.
During the seminar, participants gained both theoretical knowledge and practical skills related to applying economic evaluation in healthcare. Educational and methodological materials, presentations, analytical tables, and real-world examples were provided, all of which can be adapted for use in educational settings. Both fundamental principles and advanced approaches to economic modeling in health systems were explored in depth. Special attention was given to methods for evaluating the feasibility of introducing innovative medical technologies, pharmacological agents, and public health programs. Modern mechanisms for budgeting in medical institutions based on the results of economic analysis were also studied. The knowledge gained is essential for improving the operation of healthcare institutions, developing and updating educational programs, and making evidence-based management decisions at the institutional, municipal, and governmental levels.
Participation in the professional seminar demonstrated the high practical value of the event for professional growth and a deeper understanding of the strategic role of economic evaluation in the healthcare system. The acquired knowledge contributes to forming a comprehensive approach to assessing the effectiveness of medical interventions, allowing for the adaptation of international experience to national realities and the needs of the Ukrainian healthcare sector. The seminar also created favorable conditions for establishing long-term connections with leading experts in health economics, opening up broad opportunities for inter-institutional collaboration. The scientific and educational potential was significantly enhanced through the mastery of modern methodologies for evaluating the effectiveness of medical services, budgeting, and implementing innovations. Participation in the event contributed not only to personal and professional development but also strengthened the integration of Ukrainian medical education and science into the international professional community.