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ONE HEALTH: AN INTEGRATED APPROACH TO GLOBAL HEALTH

June 4, 2025 Federica Sorrentino

In recent years, the growing interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health has led to a fundamental paradigm shift in public health and the training of health professionals. It is within this context that the One Health approach has emerged and gained strength, promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO), the FAO, the OIE, and other international institutions, as an integrated response to global health challenges.

One Health is a strategy that recognizes the inextricable link between the health of people, animals, and the environment. The rise in diseases transmitted from animals to humans, the emergence of new infectious threats, antimicrobial resistance, climate change, and biodiversity loss have highlighted the urgent need for shared, cross-sectoral health policies.

The One Health approach aims to:

foster collaboration among physicians, veterinarians, biologists, nurses, environmental scientists, and public health professionals;
integrate data and knowledge to prevent, detect, and respond promptly to complex health threats;
promote sustainable policies that protect ecosystems and improve the health of both human and animal communities.

In line with these goals, the Healthcare Master’s programs at the University of Parma promote multidisciplinary training based on an integrated public health model, aware of the interrelationships between health, environment, and society.

Adopting the One Health model means not only responding to current crises but also building a culture of prevention, sustainability, and global solidarity. For future health professionals, being trained with this vision is a strategic choice as well as an ethical responsibility. In a world where everything is connected, caring for health means caring for the world we live in.

HEALTHCARE DESIGN: RETHINKING SPACES TO PROMOTE HEALTH, WELL-BEING, AND INCLUSION

May 27, 2025 Federica Sorrentino

In today’s healthcare landscape, the concept of Healthcare Design is taking on an increasingly central role in the planning and organization of care environments. It goes beyond healthcare architecture—it’s an integrated vision that places the psychological and physical well-being of patients, the efficiency of healthcare workers, and the sustainability of the entire system at its core.

Designing for care today means considering a wide range of factors: accessibility, comfort, functionality, safety, spatial orientation, reduction of environmental stress, respect for privacy, natural lighting, acoustics, and healthy materials. The environment thus becomes an active participant in the healing process, shaping the patient experience and supporting the work of medical staff.

International studies confirm that spaces designed according to the principles of the healing environment can shorten hospital stays, improve patients’ moods, increase staff satisfaction, and facilitate recovery. Even small design choices—such as the use of natural colors, the presence of green areas, or social spaces—can positively influence clinical outcomes. Healthcare design also focuses on sustainability, promoting architectural and energy solutions that minimize the environmental impact of healthcare facilities: green hospitals, low-emission materials, reduced energy consumption, and smart waste management.

This modern approach requires collaboration among architects, engineers, designers, clinicians, nurses, environmental psychologists, and patients themselves. Participatory design becomes a strategic tool to create spaces that are not only functional but also respectful of the dignity, diversity, and needs of those who inhabit them every day.

The Master’s programs in Healthcare at the University of Parma promote a design culture based on interdisciplinarity, innovation, and person-centered care. Integrating the topic of healthcare design into education means equipping future professionals with a systemic vision that recognizes care environments as key elements in ensuring safety, effectiveness, and the humanization of healthcare services. The ability to read, interpret, and contribute to the design of care spaces is now a strategic skill for those involved in healthcare organization, quality of care, risk management, well-being promotion, and innovation in care models.

THE IMPORTANCE OF LEADERSHIP IN HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT

March 5, 2025 Federica Sorrentino

In the complex world of healthcare, leadership plays a crucial role in ensuring efficient organization, a positive work environment, and high-quality patient care. Healthcare leaders must not only possess technical and managerial skills but also strong communication, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities to tackle the challenges of the sector.

The Healthcare Master’s programs at the University of Parma offer specialized training designed to develop these competencies, preparing healthcare professionals for coordination and management roles. Through a multidisciplinary approach, these programs provide practical tools for resource management, strategic planning, and continuous quality improvement in healthcare services.

Why is leadership essential in healthcare?
• It promotes effective human resource management
• It enhances communication and collaboration among professionals
• It contributes to a more resilient and innovative healthcare system
• It supports change and the adoption of new technologies and protocols
• It ensures increasingly personalized and patient-centered care

Developing aware and well-prepared leaders means investing in the future of healthcare. Our master’s programs are designed to help professionals strengthen their managerial and organizational skills, providing them with a broad and strategic vision of the sector.

TERRITORIAL HEALTHCARE: THE CHALLENGE OF INTEGRATION

February 7, 2025 Federica Sorrentino

The evolution of the social and healthcare system increasingly places territorial healthcare at its core a model in which hospitals, local services, and healthcare professionals collaborate synergistically to ensure effective and personalized patient care. The growing complexity of health needs, the aging population, and the necessity to optimize resources make an integrated approach across different levels of care essential.

The Healthcare Master’s programs at the University of Parma address this topic in depth, training professionals capable of operating in a healthcare system increasingly oriented toward integrated patient management. The goal is to provide advanced skills to coordinate care pathways that do not end upon hospital discharge but continue in an effective and sustainable continuum of care.

A truly efficient healthcare system cannot rely solely on hospital structures but must include a solid and well-organized territorial network. Key aspects for improving care continuity include:

Interprofessionalism and collaboration: Continuous dialogue between doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals to ensure coordinated care;
Digital healthcare and telemedicine: Innovative tools for real-time monitoring and sharing of clinical information among various healthcare system actors;
Chronic disease management and home care: The importance of personalized care pathways for fragile patients or those with chronic conditions, reducing the risk of avoidable hospitalizations;
Patient and family involvement: A care model that places the patient at the center, making them an active participant in their own care journey.

The ability to effectively integrate the different components of healthcare assistance represents one of the main challenges of the future. Through an innovative and multidisciplinary educational offering, the Healthcare Master’s programs at the University of Parma prepare professionals to tackle and manage this transformation, contributing to a more efficient, accessible, and citizen-centered healthcare system.