The Public Value created by Italian private health organisations in ordinary times and the pandemic

Applying the multi-dimensional approach of publicness, this study investigates the Public Value (PV) created by private IRCCSs (Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) daily and during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. The study found that their PV consists of public health protection, guaranteeing high-quality treatments for all citizens that public providers are not able to satisfy. They have proven to be reliable during the pandemic and have introduced innovations in research and healthcare. Still, there are no differences based on the legal form and whether the institutes are For-Profit or Non-Profit.