OBJECTIVES

The aim of this abstract was to find a correlation between healthcare models from representative countries: United States of America (market model), United Kingdom (Beveridge), Germany (Bismarck) and Croatia (Single health insurance model) with Hofstede's National Culture factors, also to answer the question can one model be copied, applied and used in other country.

METHODS

Using available data for each country from Hofstede's model and characteristics of representing healthcare models of each country, United Kingdom (Beveridge model), Germany (Bismarck model), United States of America (Market model) and Croatia (Single health insurance).

RESULTS : Hofstede model of national culture is a model which represents characteristics of each country's national culture. Model includes five factors: power distance, uncertainty avoidance, individualism, masculinity, long term orientation. Power distance expreses culture's dealing with inequality. United States of America is represented with 40 points, Croatia 73, Germany 35, United Kingdom 35. Uncertainty avoidance shows tolerance for ambiguity and rules of behavior in organizational structures. United States is represented with 46, Croatia 80, Germany 65, United Kingdom 35. Individualism indicates the relationship between individual and society. United States has 91 points, Croatia 33, Germany 67, United Kingdom 91. Masculinity is defined as a tendency of organisation to emphasize traditional gender roles. United States is represented with 62, Croatia 40, Germany 66, United Kingdom 66. Long-term orientation indicates orientation toward time which includes patience. In short term oriented cultures, orientation is commonly toward immediately usable skills. United States has 51 points in this regard, Croatia 58, Germany 83, United Kingdom 51.

CONCLUSIONS

Uncertainty avoidance and long term orientation are in correlation with healthcare models, especially Bismarck model in representative countries. Due to cultural differences while implementing each healthcare policy, legislators need to take into consideration characteristics of each country culture, and not just implement other country healthcare model.