title: [Public health stewardship and governance regarding the Colombian healthcare system, 2012-2013].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Analysing decision-making concerning public health issues regarding the Colombian healthcare system from a market economy-based approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study involved applying Glaser and Strauss's grounded theory in six Colombian cities during 2012: Bogotá, Barranquilla, Bucaramanga, Leticia, Medellin and Pasto. 120 individual interviews were conducted with professionals involved in decision-making, running public healthcare programmes and making policy within public and private institutions. Fourteen focus groups were held with community organisation leaders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The findings suggested national and municipal health authorities' weak stewardship and ineffective governance regarding public healthcare policy and programmes, related to a lack of staff trained in public health management issues. In turn, this was related to political parties' interference and private insurers' particular interests and the structural fragmentation of functions and actors within the health system, thereby limiting public health development.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A new axiology is necessary for achieving effective governance (I.e. cooperation between Colombian Healthcare Social Security System actors) to overcome current incompetence and financial self-interest predominating within the Colombian healthcare system.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciencia Política, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, anrothd@unal.edu.co.
authors.forename: André N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Roth-Deubel
authors.affiliation: Facultad Nacional de Salud Pública, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Molina-Marín
mesh_terms: D003105:Colombia; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D011634:Public Health; D013997:Time Factors