The goals of the Cross-Border Institute of Healthcare Systems and Prevention (CBI) are to research challenges in healthcare in the German-Dutch border region, advance the implementation of solutions and maintain close ties with citizens and local healthcare stakeholders. Three institutions, the University of Oldenburg in Germany and the University of Groningen and the University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG) in the Netherlands, have been jointly conducting research within the CBI since 2019. They have now signed a new cooperation agreement in Oldenburg to ensure the sustainable development of the institute's cross-border health research.
"With the cooperation agreement we consolidate the CBI's successful work, which has continuously expanded in recent years. Our university medicine facilities in Oldenburg and Groningen thus create the conditions for research from which people in the border region benefit directly," said Prof. Dr. Ralph Bruder, President of the University of Oldenburg.
Within the CBI, scientists from both countries have already successfully carried out several research projects that shed light on the similarities and differences between the two healthcare systems. They have secured national and European funding for cross-border research – most recently around 2.3 million euros for the Interreg project HEALTH4DE-NL – and also built a new cross-border network that meets regularly and involves key healthcare sector stakeholders on both sides of the border. The aim of those involved in the network is to improve healthcare in the region – on both sides of the border as well as with solutions that focus on cross-border utilisation of healthcare services. The University of Oldenburg's Department of Health Services Research coordinates the CBI on the Oldenburg side, while the Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health, an interdisciplinary network based at the University of Groningen, leads the operations on the Groninger side.
The cooperation agreement was signed by University of Oldenburg President Ralph Bruder, Prof. Dr Hans Gerd Nothwang, Dean of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences at the University of Oldenburg, Prof. Dr. Jouke de Vries, President of the Board of the University of Groningen, and Prof. Dr Wiro Niessen, Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University of Groningen and a member UMCG's Board of Directors.
"The Cross-border Institute of Healthcare Systems and Prevention serves as a catalyst and hub for initiatives and projects on health and healthcare in the rural northern Dutch-German border region. It is a great example of the strong bond and long-standing friendship between our two universities," said De Vries.
Among other things, the new cooperation agreement defines which research areas will be the focus of the CBI's activities. As well as studying ways to make healthcare systems more sustainable and resilient and enhance prevention, the researchers will investigate approaches resulting from the effective use of health data and other innovative health-related ideas.
Professor Niessen of the University of Groningen said: "Innovation will be crucial to address societal challenges related to access and quality of care, shortage of personnel, inequality in care, and realising the transition from care to prevention. The collaboration of the University of Oldenburg, University of Groningen and the University Medical Center Groningen within the Cross-border Institute of Healthcare Systems and Prevention will greatly contribute to advances in the area, benefiting patient and citizens in the Dutch-German border region and beyond."
The cooperation agreement also sets out the CBI's official organisational structure. The deans of the two medical faculties manage the institute and are jointly responsible for it as the Governing Board. The Executive Board, which is responsible among other things for the implementation of strategic planning and the acquisition of third-party funding will continue to consist of two participating scientists from each country. A new development is that the CBI researchers will also be advised by external committees. In addition to a scientific advisory board, a partner advisory board will be established whose members include patients, citizens and representatives of political institutions and health insurance companies.
The agreement is valid for an initial period of five years. The participating institutions will make the decision about its extension after a maximum of four years.
