Those who want to initiate, understand, or implement reforms in the healthcare sector are well advised to look beyond the confines of national health policy. Comparisons between countries reveal the experiences with reform approaches that have already been made in other states. They also highlight how costly, patient-friendly, efficient, fair, and well-prepared a healthcare system is for acute situations, such as the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

This 5th edition provides a comprehensive overview of the structures of the healthcare systems of over 30 member states of the European Union and the OECD. It contains the latest data and information on the health policies of these countries. It compares health expenditures and financing, the structures of outpatient and inpatient care, pharmaceutical supply, as well as key indicators of efficiency, quality, and user orientation—thus assessing the performance of the respective healthcare systems. An additional chapter explains health policy at the European level and its influence on the German healthcare system. With numerous current references and recommendations, the book also supports further research for students, educators, and practitioners in the healthcare sector.