Ana Sofia Rodrigues Moreira

@eeg.uminho.pt

School of Economics, Management and Political Science
University of Minho

na Sofia Rodrigues Moreira is a PhD candidate in Management at the University of Minho, with a multidisciplinary background in health sciences and health services management. Her research focuses on Value-Based Healthcare (VBHC), particularly on value-based payment models and performance measurement in healthcare systems.
She combines academic research with professional experience as a Radiographer at the São João Local Health Unit, and previous roles in emergency care and technical coordination. She also has international experience in Luanda, involving the implementation of radiology information systems and quality management initiatives.
Her work integrates clinical practice, organisational processes, and data-driven approaches to support healthcare value and system sustainability, with contributions reflected in scientific publications and research projects.

EDUCATION

Ana Sofia Rodrigues Moreira holds a multidisciplinary academic background integrating health sciences and management. She is currently a PhD candidate in Management at the University of Minho, focusing on value-based hospital payment models. She also attends a postgraduate specialization in Hospital Administration at the NOVA National School of Public Health.
She obtained a Master’s degree in Health Care Units Management from the University of Minho and a postgraduate specialization in Health Services Management and Administration at the Porto Business School. She holds a degree in Radiology from the Coimbra Health School

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

Business, Management and Accounting, Business and International Management, Health Policy
5

Scopus Publications

22

Scholar Citations

3

Scholar h-index

1

Scholar i10-index

Scopus Publications

  • The VBHC big picture: an umbrella review
    Ana Moreira, José Crispim
    BMC Health Services Research, 2026
    BACKGROUND: Value-Based Health Care (VBHC) aims to improve patient outcomes while optimising healthcare costs. Despite global interest, its adoption varies widely due to system-specific contexts and stakeholder dynamics. Challenges such as organisational inertia, inconsistent data, and limited evidence on patient-reported measures hinder widespread implementation. PURPOSE: This umbrella review synthesises global evidence on the implementation of VBHC, identifying key impacts, challenges, and opportunities. It seeks to uncover patterns, assess the effectiveness of VBHC initiatives, and inform future research and system improvements. METHODS: A systematic search across four databases identified reviews and meta-analyses on VBHC published between 2006 and April 2024. The Context, Intervention, Mechanism, Outcome (CIMO) framework guided data extraction, and methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute's checklist. RESULTS: Forty-eight studies were included and grouped into seven categories. VBHC initiatives show the potential to improve care quality, efficiency, and patient satisfaction while reducing costs. However, challenges persist, including fragmented performance metrics, limited integration of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) and Patient-Reported Experience Measures (PREMs), resistance to organisational change, and inadequate cost evaluation models. Payment models such as Pay-for-Performance and bundled payments yield mixed outcomes, often hampered by complexity and stakeholder scepticism. The Value-Based Insurance Design has proven effective in improving treatment adherence. Efforts to reduce low-value care show moderate success, underscoring the need for validated de-adoption strategies. Skill gaps among leaders and professionals further limit effective VBHC adoption. CONCLUSION: VBHC offers a compelling framework for health system transformation but requires coordinated reforms in structure, culture, technology, and education. Priorities include standardising outcome metrics, aligning payments with value, improving cost transparency, and engaging stakeholders. Future research should focus on contextual barriers, refined evaluation methods, and enhanced patient involvement to realise the full promise of value-based healthcare.
  • A multiple criteria framework for value-based assessment of health care services applied to a radiology case
    Ana Moreira, Nazaré Rego, José Crispim
    BMC Health Services Research, 2026
    Traditionally, value-based health care assessment initiatives have: (1) not explicitly evaluated value; (2) been complex (which limits reproducibility) and not admitted customization; and 4) not operationalized value in a way that addresses the concerns of the involved stakeholders. This research developed a four-step framework for value-based assessment of health care services that aims to overcome these limitations. The development of the framework was supported by a case study conducted in the radiology department of the second largest general hospital in Portugal and involved the participation of administrators, physicians, radiographers, and patients, and incorporates several Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis methods. A set of 160 indicators to assess the value of radiology departments was identified in the literature and synthesized into 7 value-assessment dimensions. The framework considers specific indicators for each stakeholder type and suggests customizable ways to determine the benefit of the service. Additionally, we determined the value of the radiology department (considering benefits perceived by stakeholders and direct clinical costs) and propose a dashboard to monitor its evolution. The developed management tool enables an explicit valuation of the department and uncovers service features that need to be improved. If its use is continued, it will report the evolution of the department. The framework can easily be adapted to other hospitals or departments or be used by researchers as a basis for the development of other models.
  • Assessing Risk Management Practices in the Radiology Department of São João Local Health Unit: A Case Study
    Ana Sofia Paredes, Ana Moreira, Ana Catarina Silva, José Crispim
    Procedia Computer Science, 2025
    The current risk management model at the Radiology Department of São João Local Health Unit (SJLHU) is based on independent risk assessment, without adequately considering their interactions. This study aimed to develop an improved risk management tool based on a risk network. The mixed-method approach allowed for local contextualization through interviews and literature review to identify potential risks organized into the three main phases of the department. Through the Delphi method, this initial list was expanded to a total of 59 risks. The quantification stage included triangular fuzzy numbers to accommodate the subjectivity of the healthcare professionals’ opinions. The results highlight the limitations of the current risk management in the department: lack of knowledge (expressed in excessively high probabilities compared to reality) and scarcity of information about risk factors. Future research in the risk assessment of the department is essential.
  • The importance of the health information systems in value-based healthcare initiatives: A scoping review
    Ana Moreira, José Crispim
    Procedia Computer Science, 2024
    The conceptualization of the value-based healthcare (VBHC) model as a way to improve the quality of patient care and control the costs of that care has been widely debated. However, few studies describe how to practically implement VBHC from the perspective of health information systems as technical platforms for data collection, analysis, and sharing. This study presents a scoping review of implementation experiences of this model, specifically focusing on the requirements and barriers of the information system. Out of the initially identified 1866 references, 24 papers were selected, from which the facilitating factors and barriers associated with the information system were extracted. The quality of data, its analysis, and resources (infrastructure and specialized human resources in information and technology communication) emerge as indispensable categories for implementation.
  • Key performance indicators for value-based reimbursement in radiology: A review
    Ana Moreira, José Crispim
    Procedia Computer Science, 2023
    Value-based reimbursement is increasingly discussed in association with efforts to develop modern healthcare systems value-based. Relevant information (clinical, economic) should support the reimbursement systems that mirror the actual cost and benefits of a healthcare service. The reimbursement model should be understandable by decision makers and commensurate with the hospital information system (HIS). HIS should be aligned with the clinical and administrative data collection required to support the characterization of the care episode and allow a calculation of the benefits and costs incurred. The significant amount of information that HIS can gather results in an information overload that healthcare managers and professionals hardly can simplify. KPIs are crucial measurement tools capable of compiling and aggregating such information's. Radiology departments are highly technology-related service, operator-dependent, involving multiple stakeholders and considered as an adjunct to quality care, but not a primary contributor to value. Current radiology reimbursement levels are based on the same over the past 20 years criteria. Given the complexity and the inadequate criteria the first stage for new reimbursement models development, the aim of this study, is the identification of appropriate metrics to be used to monitor and evaluate the quality of services provided. The identified 160 metrics were aggregated and synthetized according to the radiology value chain in seven categories in a total of 56 value KPI's.

RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • The VBHC big picture: an umbrella review
    A Moreira, J Crispim
    BMC Health Services Research , 2025
    2025
  • A multiple criteria framework for value-based assessment of health care services applied to a radiology case
    A Moreira, N Rego, J Crispim
    BMC Health Services Research , 2025
    2025
  • Assessing Risk Management Practices in the Radiology Department of São João Local Health Unit: A Case Study
    AS Paredes, A Moreira, AC Silva, J Crispim
    Procedia Computer Science 256, 1073-1080 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 2
  • The importance of the health information systems in value-based healthcare initiatives: A scoping review
    A Moreira, J Crispim
    Procedia Computer Science 239, 1476-1482 , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 6
  • Key Performance Indicators for value-based reimbursement in Radiology: a Review.
    A Moreira, J Crispim
    Procedia Computer Science 219, 1208-1215 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 3
  • Os preços dos exames Imagiológicos no SNS: Estudo de caso do Centro Hospitalar Universitário São João, EPE
    ASR Moreira
    PQDT-Global , 2021
    2021
  • Transition from screen-film to computed radiography in a paediatric hospital: the missing link towards optimisation
    G Paulo, J Santos, A Moreira, F Figueiredo
    Radiation protection dosimetry 147 (1-2), 164-167 , 2011
    2011
    Citations: 11

MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • Transition from screen-film to computed radiography in a paediatric hospital: the missing link towards optimisation
    G Paulo, J Santos, A Moreira, F Figueiredo
    Radiation protection dosimetry 147 (1-2), 164-167 , 2011
    2011
    Citations: 11
  • The importance of the health information systems in value-based healthcare initiatives: A scoping review
    A Moreira, J Crispim
    Procedia Computer Science 239, 1476-1482 , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 6
  • Key Performance Indicators for value-based reimbursement in Radiology: a Review.
    A Moreira, J Crispim
    Procedia Computer Science 219, 1208-1215 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 3
  • Assessing Risk Management Practices in the Radiology Department of São João Local Health Unit: A Case Study
    AS Paredes, A Moreira, AC Silva, J Crispim
    Procedia Computer Science 256, 1073-1080 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 2
  • The VBHC big picture: an umbrella review
    A Moreira, J Crispim
    BMC Health Services Research , 2025
    2025
  • A multiple criteria framework for value-based assessment of health care services applied to a radiology case
    A Moreira, N Rego, J Crispim
    BMC Health Services Research , 2025
    2025
  • Os preços dos exames Imagiológicos no SNS: Estudo de caso do Centro Hospitalar Universitário São João, EPE
    ASR Moreira
    PQDT-Global , 2021
    2021

GRANT DETAILS

Ana Sofia Rodrigues Moreira is involved as a PhD Student Fellow in the funded project Health from Portugal (PRR), supported by the Portuguese Recovery and Resilience Plan. The project is developed within the Centre for Research in Economics and Management (NIPE).
Her work contributes to research on Value-Based Healthcare, including the development of frameworks and methodologies for value-based payment models and healthcare performance assessment.

CONSULTANCY

Ana Sofia Rodrigues Moreira has contributed to organisational and technical initiatives in healthcare settings with consultancy-oriented characteristics, particularly in health information systems and quality management. In Luanda, she was involved in the implementation of a Radiological Information System and coordination of quality management initiatives.
These activities involved supporting organisational processes and operational decision-making in clinical environment

Industry, Institute, or Organisation Collaboration

Ana Sofia Rodrigues Moreira collaborates across academic, clinical, and research institutions within the Portuguese healthcare system. Her work integrates research and practice through her role at the São João Local Health Unit.
She is involved in academic collaboration through the University of Minho and the Coimbra Health School. She also participates in funded research initiatives, including the Health from Portugal (PRR) project, in collaboration with the Centre for Research in Economics and Management (NIPE).
Her collaboration activities include participation in the implementation of health information systems and quality management initiatives in clinical settings

INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

Ana Sofia Rodrigues Moreira has professional experience in the healthcare sector as a Radiographer at the São João Local Health Unit since 2018.
She also has international experience in Luanda, where she was involved in the implementation of radiology information systems, quality management initiatives, and operational coordination of radiology services.
This experience supports her research in healthcare management, performance, and Value-Based Healthcare.

STARTUP

Ana Sofia Rodrigues Moreira is not currently involved in startup creation. However, her research has strong potential for future translational applications, particularly in decision-support tools and value-based healthcare solutions.

SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, or ACADEMIC BENEFITS

Ana Sofia Rodrigues Moreira’s work contributes to social, economic, and academic benefits within healthcare systems. Her research on Value-Based Healthcare supports more efficient and sustainable models by aligning resource allocation with patient outcomes.
Her work enhances healthcare quality and effectiveness, optimises resource utilisation, and advances knowledge in health services management through multidisciplinary and data-driven approaches, with contributions reflected in scientific publications and research projects