SUMMARY The European Health Consumer Index (EHCI) is a project that since 2006 has been comparing and ranking health care systems of European countries, from the perspective of patients (consumers) - users of the health care system. Its purpose was to set standards for well functioning and organized health care. The aim of this study was to assess the state of Serbian health care system from the perspective of the European health consumer index and propose recommendations for its improvement and functioning in accordance with European standards. The assessment of the health care system is based on pre-determined forty-eight indicators divided into six groups. According to these indicators, scoring and ranking of countries was done (maximum score for a particular indicator was 3, and the minimum was 1). As per European Health Consumer Index the Republic of Serbia is ranked at 33rd place, with total of 473 points, while Netherlands has been found on the top of the list for years (this year 898 points).

Summary Introduction There is growing interest in the world for estimating the cost for the treatment of a disease. This value can be used to determine to which extent a particular disease or group of diseases burden society in terms of the global crisis (Segel 2006). In 2000, Organization for Economic Countries Development (OECD) established a System of Health Accounts (SHA), and provided methodological guide for calculating the cost of treating the disease. The aim of this study was to determine the cost of individual health care in the Republic of Serbia according to the major International Classification of Diseases (ICD) for the period 2010-2015. Material and Methods A retrospective and comparative analysis of health statistics from the database of the Institute of Public Health of Serbia (IPHS) and financial information provided by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) in the period 2010-2015 was performed. Financial information and data on hospital services, outpatient, home health care, auxiliary health care services, drug consumption and consumer goods in healthcare were analyzed using SHA methodology. Results showed that during observation period the maximum cost of individual health care in Serbia by main classification ICD was achieved in 2015 and it was 194,128,864,011 RSD (€1,580,853,941; $1,764,807,854) and the minimal cost was achieved in 2010, 151,333,139,835 RSD (€1,434,464,541; $1,908,843,843). Conclusion The cost of individual health care in the Republic of Serbia in the period 2010-2015 increased by thirty percent. The highest amount was allocated to treat people with diseases of the circulatory system.

Summary Culture encompasses entire societies, influences everything we feel, see, do and believe and shape the way we approach the world around us. Culture is an inseparable part of human existence and as such an important part of health and health care. The aim of this paper was to present specific forms of culture in health care that have influence on the quality of health care system, as well as to investigate in which capacity is work on culture in the health care system in Serbia represented. National and international literature and documentation was processed using analytical methods - observation and comparative method. Health culture as responsibility of health care users and culture in health care as responsibility of health care employees are key factors in improving the health system in Serbia. The most important step has been made with the strategic plan of the Government of the Republic of Serbia in 2010, however, everyone has to accept and understand the importance of culture in health care and apply its rules into the practise.

Health institutions have the most complex organization and management among all institutions. Unlike traditional management in organizational systems characterized by analytical and interdisciplinary approach, health institution management is characterized by trans-disciplinary approach to solving business problems. Introduction of quality improvement is a challenge for health care managers due to their responsibility to create an environment that will lead to quality improvement and safety of health services. New Health care Act (2005) has created a legal framework for defining quality indicators, and setting up various committees and bodies in order to improve the quality of health care. As the planning, management and quality control are the most important parameters of the health system development, health manager must be a leader with exceptional communication skills and able to apply his knowledge and skills in the management of resources. Top managers, central type and lower level managers must be the driving force of their institutions creating the basis for activities related to quality. They should have a proper education as well. New concept of management emphasizes people and their specialized knowledge. Past practice in Serbia did not show significant improvements in the management process through the knowledge and skills of managers, especially in terms of strategic decision-making in the operation and development of the health system.

Introduction. In the period from 2004 to 2020, many reforms were implemented in the health sector of the Republic of Serbia and it?s financing. The aim of this work was to provide an insight into foundations on which healthcare was based in the Republic of Serbia in the period from 2004 to 2020 and review the reform changes in the healthcare sector and it?s financing. Material and method. A retrospective analysis of data from the National Health Account of the Institute of Public Health of Serbia, the regulations of the Republic Health Insurance Fund, reports of the Ministry of Health as well as laws and regulations related to the health sector was performed. Results. The results of the analysis showed that the State health sector represented the foundation of the health system in the Republic of Serbia in the observed period. Of the total health financing, it was estimated that about sixty percent were public financing schemes, and about forty percent belonged to private schemes, with a large part of private schemes being out-of-pocket payments. Conclusion. The general conclusion of the analysis is that in the observed period, within the framework of the reform changes, Serbia had a good system of exemption from participation, but that out-of-pocket payments for certain health services and corrupt payments represented a barrier to health care.