CHETCH - China and Europe taking care of healthcare solutions

Abstract:

The research project intends to contribute actively to the cooperation between Europe and China, investigating opportunities for mutual integration in the healthcare sector. Cooperation and potential synergies will be examined from a comprehensive perspective, including policies at national and local level, the legal environment, medical practices, healthcare industries and related businesses. An interdisciplinary approach is followed.

Researchers in the social science and humanities areas will compare the European and Chinese healthcare systems at different levels, including value systems and ethical issues. The economic expert will analyse the integration reached so far, in the healthcare industries (i.e. technologies, pharmaceutical products, etc.) on the basis of foreign direct investments, trade and micro economic data. The typical cost-benefit tools will be used to evaluate the economic impact of integrating Western Medicine (WM) and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practices, supporting the medical team of experts.

The legal instruments will help define obstacles and plausible solutions that can be generated by the regulatory environment, as well as appropriate solutions to enhance collaboration both at institutional, medical practices and business levels. The team of experts in the medical field will investigate best practices of traditional medical systems using a modern science framework. The team will develop a process of recognition and scientific validation of TCM versus Complementary Alternative Medicine, at different levels.

CHETCH is based on the idea that a Europe-China partnership could be a win-win strategy. Europe and China have complementarities that could help each other face their specific needs in the long run.