10th Symposium on Public Health Networks in Public Health: at the Crossing of Practice and Research

Background

Living conditions and health situations become more and more complex. The technological evolution offers great opportunities, but the implementation of those technologies is far from evident. There is an increasing need for a multidisciplinary and multisectorial approach in public health, but financial resources to achieve this are often limited.

Collaborations in public health may have different purposes: solving common problems, sharing resources, bridging the gap between preventive and curative approaches, making a link between research and fieldwork. Collaborations may be organised between geographical units (local, regional, national, international), around a common theme, between health professionals, at the level of different institutions, etc.

Partnerships may also involve different dimensions, ranging from a loose, informal network to a well organised professional network.

The objectives of a network may vary: exchange of information, opinion building, rationalisation of resources, attaining common objectives next to specific objectives for each partner. The concept of “a network” itself, – and more specifically “a network in public health”, is complex and involves different aspects. It covers networks of practices, but also the practice of networking, research networks but also research on networks,… During this symposium we would like to progress in the definition of “a network in public health”, but also identify the added value, constraints, factors that lead to success or failure when trying to build a network.

Objectives

Explore the concept of a network in public health in all its dimensions

Provide a forum where health professionals from the field and researchers can meet

Bridging the gap between curative and preventive medicine

Present different networks of public health through a stand on the symposium

Contents

During the symposium various themes in relation to networks in public health will be discussed. Researchers will also get the opportunity to make presentations for a professional audience on other themes.

Themes to be covered:

1. Themes related to the process of networking

Different types of networks
Constraints, opportunities, evaluation
Multisectorial and multidisciplinary approach
Purpose, expectations, objectives of a network

2. Thematic networks, e.g.

Networks on health promotion at school
Transnational networks on health care
Networks of health trajectories
Health insurance networks
Networks for the promotion of breastfeeding
Mental health networks
Registration Networks of epidemiological data
European reference network of rare diseases
Healthy Cities Network
Hospital networks
Networks for chronic diseases
…

3. Free scientific communications (free podium)

Possibility for communications other than the main theme of the symposium

Programme

Programme (pdf)

The following persons are members of the scientific steering group of the symposium:

Mr Gaëtan Absil – Université de Liège (Ulg)
Dr Willem Aelvoet – FOD Volksgezondheid, Veiligheid van de Voedselketen en Leefmilieu
Mme Martine Banduelle – Education et Santé
Prof Johan Bilsen – Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
Dr Olivier Bruyère – Université de Liège (Ulg)
Mme Jamila Buziarsist – Institut Scientifique de Santé Publique (ISP)
Mme Nathalie Chaidron – Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL)
Prof Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij – Universiteit Gent (Ugent)
Prof Pierre Debusschere – Université de Mons Hainaut (UMH)
Prof Christel Faes – Universiteit Hasselt (Uhasselt)
Mr Olivier Gillis – Mutualités Chrétiennes
Mr Gie Goyvaerts – Ziekenhuisnetwerk Antwerpen (ZNA)
Dr Isabelle Heymans – Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)
Mevr Béatrice Jans – Wetenschappelijk Instituut Volksgezondheid (WIV)
Mme Cathèrine Lucet – Mutualités Socialistes
Prof Jean Macq – Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL)
Dr Christian Massot – Observatoire de la Santé Province de Hainaut (OSH)
Prof Robert Muller – Université de Mons Hainaut (UMH)
Mevr Veerle Stevens – Vlaams Instituut voor Gezondheidspromotie en Ziektepreventie (VIGeZ)
Dr Véronique Tellier – Service Publique de Wallonie
Dr Johan Van der Heyden – Wetenschappelijk Instituut Volksgezondheid (WIV)
Prof Guido Van Hal – Universiteit Antwerpen (UA)
Prof Herman Van Loon – Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL)
Mme Chantal Vandoorne – Université de Liège (Ulg)