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Dealing with COVID-19 Epidemic in Italy: Responses from Regional Organizational Models during the First Phase of the Epidemic

Author

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  • Maria Lucia Specchia

    (Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
    Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy)

  • Andrea Di Pilla

    (Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
    Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy)

  • Martina Sapienza

    (Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy)

  • Maria Teresa Riccardi

    (Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy)

  • Americo Cicchetti

    (Postgraduate School of Health Economics and Management (ALTEMS), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy)

  • Gianfranco Damiani

    (Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
    Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy)

  • Instant Report Group

    (Instant Report Group: Americo Cicchetti, Gianfranco Damiani, Maria Lucia Specchia, Eugenio Anessi Pessina, Giuseppe Scaratti, Michele Basile, Rossella Di Bidino, Eugenio Di Brino, Maria Giovanna Di Paolo, Andrea Di Pilla, Fabrizio Massimo Ferrara, Luca Giorgio, Roberta Laurita, Marzia Vittoria Gallo, Maria Teresa Riccardi, Filippo Rumi, Angelo Tattoli, Entela Xoxi, Carlo Favaretti, Andrea Silenzi, Marta Piria, Rocco Reina, Marzia Ventura, Concetta Lucia Cristofaro, Walter Vesperi, Anna Maria Melina, Teresa Gentile, Giovanni Schiuma, Primiano Di Nauta, Raimondo Ingrassia, Paola Adinolfi, Chiara Di Guardo.)

Abstract

As the COVID-19 outbreak traveled through various Italian regions, all national and local administrations issued measures to counter the spread of the contagion and organize healthcare. The Italian healthcare system is, indeed, a decentralized system with 21 regional health systems (RHSs), with different models of healthcare service delivery and organization. This study investigates whether a different organization of RHSs would have led to different management of the COVID-19 epidemic, and evaluates the effect of different approaches in epidemic management on the COVID-19 epidemiological trend. A set of indicators is identified by conducting an online synchronous Focus Group, involving an experts panel. A Pearson’s correlation test was performed on the values assumed by the historical series of indicators investigate correlations among the trends represented by the indicators or between them and external factors. The comparison between the experiences of the different Italian regions, regarding the management of the epidemic, has helped to confirm and emphasize the importance of a community-based approach in health care—integrated with the hospital’s functions for the care of complex conditions and the need for specialized assistance.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Lucia Specchia & Andrea Di Pilla & Martina Sapienza & Maria Teresa Riccardi & Americo Cicchetti & Gianfranco Damiani & Instant Report Group, 2021. "Dealing with COVID-19 Epidemic in Italy: Responses from Regional Organizational Models during the First Phase of the Epidemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-14, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:9:p:5008-:d:551000
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    References listed on IDEAS

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