Work packages

WP1 Management and decision-making during COVID-19 crisis, managing the pandemic and lessons learned for future crises preparedness  

This work package explores the crises preparedness and crises management at different levels of the Finnish health system during COVID-19 pandemic.

The study explores the views of organisations and health policy makers on following topics

  • preparedness to COVID-19 pandemic
  • collaboration between different actors during COVID-19 pandemic
  • decision-making during COVID-19 pandemic
  • Finnish health system resilience (ability to prepare, manage and learn from a shock)

In the first phase of the study qualitative interview data was collected from local and regional level from four regions in spring 2021. The regions vary by population base and by how healthcare system is arranged.

The interviewees comprised of leaders from special healthcare, hospital districts, wellbeing services counties, chief nursing executives, leaders from municipalities´ and cities´ social and health services. 

In the second phase of the study qualitative interview data is collected from national actors in the autumn 2021. The interviewees represent e.g. actors from the Finnish Government, Prime Minister´s Office, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, and Regional State Administrative Agency.

Qualitative interview data is supplemented with documents, statistics and reports related to preparedness and COVID-19 pandemic.

Work group

Liina-Kaisa Tynkkynen, (PI) Assistant Professor 
Ilmo Keskimäki, Professor 
Laura Kihlström, Senior Researcher
Moona Huhtakangas, Researcher
Kristiina Janhonen, Senior Researcher
Marjaana Viita-aho, Research Assistant
Timo Sinervo, Research Professor
Hanna Tiirinki, Chief Safety Investigator
Vesa Jormanainen, Senior Ministerial Advisor
Soila Karreinen, Researcher
Markku Satokangas, Senior Researcher

WP2 Moving beyond COVID-19 – crises preparedness and identification of crisis scenarios

This work package broadens the scope of the WP1 by moving beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. Work package analyses the main characteristics of the incidents already identified in the national preparedness frameworks. Then it outlines novel crisis scenarios, which would be difficult to grasp by the current frameworks.

The health care system’s ability to face novel crises will be analysed with the help of an iterative Delphi process. Around 20 key actors from the field of health care and preparedness sectors will be invited to the Argument Delphi, including decision-makers, government officials and other professionals.

Work group

Pauli Rautiainen, (PI) Adjunct Professor, University Lecturer 
Ossi Heino, Post Doc Researcher
Matias Heikkilä, Researcher
Laura Kihlström, Senior Researcher
Liina-Kaisa Tykkynen, Assistant Professor

WP3 Understanding the effects of different crises scenarios on health system resilience

In this work package, different processes, practices, and related information systems are modelled in order to understand how Finnish health system is prepared for different shocks and what kind of effects they will have. We study unexpected crisis identified in the national risk assessment reports, such as a cyberattack and a natural disaster, and in WP2, and how they influence the preparedness and resilience of Finnish health system.   

Work methods:

  • Case studies with qualitative interviews
  • Business process modelling

Work group

Samuli Pekkola, (PI) Professor  
Maija Ylinen, Post Doc researcher 
Laura Karintaus, Research Assistant

Unit of Information and Knowledge Management, Faculty of Management and Business, Tampere University

WP4 Building a general resilience and crises management model for the Finnish health system 

This work package develops tools and practices for the Finnish health system to improve the overall governance, resilience and capabilities of the system for crisis management. In order to develop and test these holistic tools, this work package works closely with other WPs of the RECPHEALS project. Thus, this work package integrates the lessons learnt from WP1-3 research findings. 

Work methods:

  • Systematic literature reviews 
  • Case pilots, interviews, survey on knowledge-based management
  • News analysis

Work group

Nina Helander, (PI) Professor  
Hannele Väyrynen, Post doc researcher
Annamaija Paunu, Project Researcher
Jasmin Vainikainen, Research Assistant

Unit of Information and Knowledge Management, Faculty of Management and Business, Tampere University

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