01 September 2018 a new platform will be launched by our network Healthcare for Internationals (H4i). The main aim is to inform internationals in the Netherlands on all aspects of healthcare. You will be able to find information and news here, from giving birth in the Netherlands to mental health care, from preventive health care to health insurance. This is a long-awaited site where all information is in one place in English.
The online platform will be publicly accessible for everyone, also a source of reference when, for example, you are preparing your move to the Netherlands. It will provide a clear overview of all the different Dutch healthcare subjects.
Interactive
Apart from informing the non-Dutch audience, it also has the objective to engage internationals in the topic of ‘healthcare in the Netherlands’. This reciprocal effect attunes to the main goal of Healthcare for Internationals, which is “adjusting Dutch Healthcare to the needs of internationals“.
“The Healthcare for Internationals platform is an answer to the needs of internationals”
Internationals have an important voice. They assess whether the information is clear and provides an answer to the questions that they have. Internationals are invited to provide feedback, tell us what is missing or give suggestions. They can also participate in panels (offline and online) to support providers in adapting their services to the needs of the target group. These panels will also play an important role in the assessment of providers. The ‘hallmark H4i’ can only be acquired after assessment by internationals.
Why this platform?
“Internationals do not feel at home in Dutch healthcare”
Recent research (April 2018) by the International Community Advisory Panel, which is not affiliated with H4i, also shows that there is confusion among internationals about Dutch healthcare. Only 33.5% of them feel (reasonably) well informed about the Dutch health insurance system; more than 60% do not say or are not sufficiently informed about Dutch healthcare.
Further research among internationals (H4i-SGE-2018) shows that there is also a gap between the information that internationals say they need about healthcare and what is actually accessible to them. This concerns a broad spectrum of topics, such as how Dutch healthcare works, health insurance, healthcare providers and information about how to stay healthy.
The platform will provide dynamic information about the “We help you navigate Dutch healthcare” goal of the H4i network. These topics will be available:
- The Dutch healthcare system
- Health insurance
- Providers of healthcare
- Healthcare, health, and well being
It also will address subjects of interest like giving birth, antibiotics and other medicines, preventive health checks, how to stay fit, nutrition etc.
As an extension to the platform, content will be shared through (social media) feeds, blogs, links to own websites or those of third parties.
In addition, the platform connects internationals with each other, on the theme of health and well-being, and with providers that are active in it: “we help you connect …”.
Is it needed?
There are more than 850,000 internationals in the Netherlands, people with an international background. These are knowledge workers, labor migrants, self-employed, students or status holders, often with their families. They have an important influence on the economic and social development of the Netherlands.
Recent research (April 2018) by the International Community Advisory Panel, which is not affiliated with H4i, also shows that there is confusion among internationals about Dutch healthcare. Only 33.5% of them feel (reasonably) well informed about the Dutch health insurance system; more than 60% do not say or are not sufficiently informed about Dutch healthcare.
Further research among internationals (H4i-SGE-2018) shows that there is also a gap between the information that internationals say they need about healthcare and what is actually accessible to them. This concerns a broad spectrum of topics, such as how Dutch healthcare works, health insurance, healthcare providers and information about how to stay healthy.
The network Healthcare for internationals (H4i)
The healthcare providers behind Healthcare for internationals (H4i) believe that everyone in the Netherlands should be able to feel safe with their doctor.
In 2016, these care providers set up a non-profit network (cooperative association). This network Healthcare for internationals (H4i) ensures that people with an international background feel at home in Dutch care, by closing the gap between their expectations and the care offered: “Closing the gap”.
This network now has members and projects in 6 different regions.
Information about Dutch healthcare
Healthcare providers, health insurers, non-profit or commercial organizations, expat centers and other authorities offer a lot of information, but this information is often incomplete, not up-to-date or sometimes ‘colored’.
More importantly, the information is often not or only partly available in English, or difficult to find. English-language information and advice about illness and health from foreign sources often differ from what Dutch health care professionals recommend.
Transparency
It must always be clear how the H4i platform relates to the provider of information and services. Is it a care provider with an H4i quality mark or one that is busy acquiring it? Is it a commercial provider, does H4i benefit from the relationship with the provider, and if so, how does that benefit the care for internationals?
The platform tries to inform internationals as broadly as possible about and connect with health, care and well being and is not an ‘advertising pillar’ for the members (healthcare providers) of H4i. Internationals must be free to choose a healthcare provider, regardless of whether or not it is a member of H4i.
We do offer advertising opportunities, but it will be stated they are sponsored posts, adds or advertorials.
Implementation
H4i will set up, facilitate, exploit and promote the platform. The content will for a large part be produced by or in cooperation with third parties, such as
- Members (healthcare providers) of the H4i network
- Partners and experts who already offer (mostly Dutch) content in the area of health, care and well being.
- Other service providers, both from the commercial and non-profit domain.
- Internationals themselves, their interest groups and communities, who have relevant knowledge or experience.
H4i ensures the moderation of the content, which must be informative, relevant to a broad audience, constructive and connect, ie focused on ‘closing the gap’.
The platform will initially be in English. It is expected that 50% of the target group can be reached.
Phasing
The platform will be launched September 1, 2018 and will be expanded in several steps. From publishing information in the beginning towards more interactive and more responsive at a later stage.