USTDA China Healthcare Leadership Training Study Tour (2015)

In 2009, China announced its plan to expand health care system reforms and aimed to provide universal health care by 2020. By 2011, China was able to provide about 95 percent of its people some kind of basic insurance coverage. However, with a growing aging population and rising inequality between urban and rural healthcare, China recognizes the need and importance to further improve and expand its healthcare system to provide more effective care. One step to improving the current healthcare system in China is to close the knowledge gap between China’s senior healthcare management and the procurement mechanisms, healthcare management and the latest IT and medical technologies available to them. Shrinking this gap will greatly improve the overall healthcare system, as well as, the management and day-to-day functions of healthcare facilities.

This year’s Leadership Training Program showcased the U.S. health system operations, including organizational culture and training, staffing, and advanced technologies to improve patient care and safety through two training programs and meetings and site visits with U.S. firms’ that export related products, services and technology. The delegation included 25 Chinese healthcare leaders from provincial and central health ministries and one Commercial Service or USTDA’s Health Cooperation Program representative. The Leadership Training Program included ten days of training at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, three days of training at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and seven days of site visits with government agencies, healthcare industry associations and U.S. companies in Chicago, IL. Meridian worked with USTDA, China’s Health Human Resources Development Center, the Mayo Clinic, and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center to develop and implement the training portion of the program.

This program contributed to U.S. commercial and developmental involvement in bringing U.S. healthcare technology and expertise to China. Following the program, the delegates returned home with an enhanced understanding of best practices and trends in the U.S. in these sectors and a heightened appreciation for the full range of world-class products, technologies, equipment, services and training that U.S. companies can provide to help China develop regulations and expand its healthcare management and infrastructure.

 

Staff