FGV had an outstanding performance at the 7^th IESS Award for Scientific Production in Supplementary Health. The research study titled ‘Processo decisório e motivação no âmbito das normas sobre o rol de procedimentos e eventos em saúde: uma análise exploratória’ [Decision-making process and motivation regarding the rules on the list of healthcare procedures and events: an exploratory analysis], by Bruno Araújo Ramalho, from the Academic Master’s in Regulation Law of FGV’s Rio de Janeiro Law School (Direito Rio), was chosen as the winner in the Law category. The annual award is granted by the Supplementary Health Institute (IESS) and aims to foster research and acknowledge studies with technical quality and the ability to contribute to the development of the supplementary healthcare industry.

“The work of Bruno Ramalho, whom I had the pleasure of advising, is the best expression of the fundamental aspects of the Master’s Program in Regulation Law of FGV’s Direito Rio, bringing together methodologically rigorous empirical research and dense theoretical articulation, with a strong critical bias,” said professor Fernando Leal, Coordinator of the Direito Rio Stricto Sensu Graduate Program.

The research conducted an exploratory analysis to identify constraints, obstacles, and strategies in the development and justification of the list of healthcare procedures and events. Ramalho adopted the methodology of qualitative analysis based on document research, covering different attachments available from the website of the National Supplementary Health Agency (ANS) in public consultations, within the Technical Group to review the list of procedures, and in the Standing Committee on the Healthcare Regulation (COSAÚDE). The study ultimately pinpointed key elements that shape or restrict the decision-making process and their respective rationales.

“The activities developed in the Master’s program provided an important theoretical substrate to develop the research study and certainly influenced the choice for the empirical approach. In general terms, I feel that the Master’s helped mature my critical sense in the field of Regulatory Law. I am grateful to the entire faculty for the lessons learned,” said Bruno Ramalho.

The IESS also awarded another FGV project. Fernando Rezende Francisco, from the Master’s in Business Administration of FGV’s Sao Paulo School of Business Administration (EAESP) ranked second in the administration category with the study ‘Aplicação de Avaliação de Tecnologias em Saúde (ATS) na Tomada de Decisão em Hospitais’ [Use of Technology Assessment in Healthcare (ATS) in the Decision-Making Process of Hospitals].

The IESS promotes and develops studies on supplementary healthcare based on conceptual and technical aspects designed to implement policies and promote best practices. The institution is a national reference in supplementary healthcare studies for the production of statistics, policy proposals, and the promotion of discussions leading to the sustainability of supplementary healthcare.