Key findings and collaborative insights towards implementation of Value-Based Healthcare (VBHC)

Belgium's healthcare system is widely recognised for its comprehensive coverage, high accessibility, and good health outcomes. With a life expectancy of 82.5 years in 2023, it ranks among the top performers globally. However, the system is facing mounting challenges that could jeopardise its sustainability in the long-term. Growing demand for medical services, staff shortages, financial pressures, and concerns about sustainability are straining the availability and quality of care − a reality that Belgium cannot escape. 

This whitepaper, commissioned by the Belgian Association of Hospital Managers, provides a critical analysis of these challenges and evaluates the healthcare system’s readiness to adopt value-based healthcare (VBHC). Developed through extensive collaboration it integrates the views and opinions from stakeholders across Belgium’s healthcare ecosystem with one objective: proposing a unified vision and way forward for the future. 

Key findings highlight that simply increasing healthcare expenditure is not a viable solution. Instead, a fundamental transformation of the Belgian healthcare system is imperative. Belgium must transition to a model that continuously improves the quality of care while ensuring affordability for patients and for society. This approach aligns with the broader objectives of the Quintuple Aim, which prioritises better health outcomes, enhanced patient and provider experiences, and equity in care delivery, while optimising costs. 

VBHC is presented as the optimal framework for achieving these goals. By integrating quality of care and cost efficiency, VHBC offers a pathway to address the current pressures on the system. Drawing on international evidence and successful Belgian case studies, this whitepaper outlines actionable recommendations to facilitate the country’s transition to VBHC, ensuring a more resilient and effective healthcare system for generations to come.

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