Gateway to a new faculty of medicine: An institutional analysis of the establishment of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Maribor in Slovenia

Abstract

To my parents Vera and Milan Kovač who taught me that any mountain can be conquered with training, skills, patience, perseverance and optimism. Table of contents Preface Summary in English Theoretical framework Conclusions per research question Samenvatting in het Nederlands Theoretisch kader Conclusies per onderzoeksvraag Appendix 1: Questionnaire Appendix 2: List of respondents 14 Gateway to a new Faculty of Medicineand actors' motivations, resources and strategies in setting up and implementing changes across different (action) situations within and across systems.Along my journey I met several people who influenced my work. One major lesson learned is that research cannot be done in insolation. From this point of view, I want to express my gratitude to my promotors prof. Tanya Bondarouk and prof. Barend van der Meulen who enabled me to finalise this dissertation. Their comments and support were crucial and stimulating in upgrading my research to the final level required. Also, special thanks go to dr. Don Westerheijden whose comments encouraged my work. Initially, dr. Harry de Boer had a key role in the theoretical part of the book. Valuable comments were provided also by prof. Jürgen Enders. Very welcome were the language editing and consistency review done by my loving partner prof. Hans Vossensteyn. I want to thank to the whole team of CHEPS because working at CHEPS for a couple of years broadened my research horizon and provided me important professional and life experiences.Important acknowledgements go to the University of Maribor, particularly to Professors Ludvik Toplak and Lučka Lorber. I am very grateful to Mr. Rudolf Moge who provided me with documents and information from the National Assembly. dr. Gregor Pivec, professors Ivan Krajnc and Vojko Flis were very cooperative colleagues in the Working Group and they generously provided me with information and documents from their portfolios. Special thanks go to all respondents for their willingness to share information and to provide their perspectives on the policy process of establishing the Faculty of Medicine. These include members of the Council of Higher Education; the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport; the Ministry of Health; the Medical Chamber; the Slovenian Medical Association; the Trade Unions of Slovenian Medical Doctors and Dentists (FIDES); the National Assembly; the University of Ljubljana; the University of Maribor; the General Hospital Maribor (now University Medical Centre Maribor); and the Municipality of Maribor. All of them were very open and cooperative in the interviews. Sincere thanks go also to Branimir Ritonja for the beautiful pictures and cover design reflecting the great facility of the Faculty of Medicine in Maribor.I want to thank my life partner Hans for his love, support and patience. Last but not least I am dedicating this book to my beloved parents. They have been my role model of kindness, support, unconditional love as well as enjoying a cheerful life. Most of all, they taught me that any mountain can be con...