PhD Conferral Natasha Azzopardi Muscat, MSc.

“How do employees learn at work ? Understanding informal learning from others in different workplaces”

Key words: health policy, health systems, European Union, small states,

The impact of the European Union on health systems is described in different ways, ranging from a pervasive influence to minimal involvement. This dissertation explored the influence of the European Union on health systems from a small state perspective, using Malta as a case study. Results showed that health system Europeanisation is viewed positively where there is a high level of policy alignment between the EU and national policy objectives coupled with EU support to counteract lack of capacity in the small state. Small states are often exposed to problems arising from a new policy environment more rapidly and more harshly than other states. In the current policy environment where health is not an obvious priority on the EU agenda, small states may play an important role in shaping future EU policy on health systems.