Health Organizations Management (HOM) research Lab (Dr Mathias Waelli)

We are an applied research laboratory at the Faculty of Medicine's Institute of Global Health, with direct links to the Management of healthcare organisations graduate programmes. The Healthcare Organisations Management (HOM) Research Lab aims to accompany healthcare leaders in the context of a profound system transformation (integration, coordination, budgetary constraints, implementation of new technologies...).

The Lab team, headed by Dr Mathias Waelli and co-directed by Professor Karl Blanchet, has activities in connection with research in management science, in three areas: data collection and synthesis, dissemination of knowledge, and the organisation of dialogues with academics, managers and policy makers in the field of healthcare management.

Area 1. Management research for healthcare stakeholders

Development of research that sheds light on the workings of local healthcare organisations. On the basis of a qualitative study of the needs of healthcare managers in French-speaking Switzerland (35 semi-structured interviews), a literature review, and a nominal group of experts, a five-year research agenda tailored to the needs of players Swiss healthcare management (corresponding to the profiles of our students) has been developed.

This research is based both on empirical studies (comparative case studies, questionnaires, etc.) and on literature reviews to summarise existing knowledge on specific subjects related to the real needs of managers.

Area 2. Targeted dissemination of scientific knowledge in management

At the same time, HOM works to disseminate the results of its research to those working in the field. The team has coordinated the writing of a collective textbook, in the form of a manual, published in 2025 by Dunod, and distributed each year to the 200 students and faculty of the healthcare organisation management training courses.

Communications include peer-reviewed journal articles and policy briefs. Finally, the lab works to synthesise and disseminate the scientific knowledge gathered from professional conferences and dialogues.

Area 3. Facilitating forums on the transformation of the Swiss healthcare system

The HOM aspires to become a facilitator of the transformation and improvement of the Swiss healthcare system. Following on from what the lab has already put in place in the field of management training for healthcare organisations (annual HealthCH Symposium, Senior Managers' Seminar, meetings), the HOM proposes and leads platforms for exchange between those involved in the transformation. The HOM team regularly bring togethers local actors (managers and policy makers), as well as national and international experts to develop and critically analyse strategies for adapting the health system to new and evolving needs.