Public-private partnerships in the healthcare sector

This paper is aimed at the analysis of PPPs in the healthcare sector in Switzerland, Austria and Italy. New Public Management and Austrian Economics is the theoretical base. A description of all three healthcare sectors can be found. The primary data consist of 18 expert interviews that were evaluated with the summarizing content analysis according to Mayring. In Switzerland no PPPs exist in the healthcare sector. The main reason is the intact public finances. In Austria PPPs can be found in areas such as facility management and maintenance. But, there are also other examples such as the hospital in Oberndorf. Italy is a large market for PPPs in the healthcare sector, because private partner are needed to finance. Hospitals are a difficult market for competition. The participation of private investors and companies changes the healthcare sector, a competition for patients is one result.