Health care guarantee in Finland: Implementation and impacts on waiting times
Haiko, Heidi (2023)
2023
All rights reserved. This publication is copyrighted. You may download, display and print it for Your own personal use. Commercial use is prohibited.
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023052212486
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023052212486
Tiivistelmä
The purpose of this study was to examine the implementation and impacts of the health care guarantee policy in Finland, with a particular focus on the waiting times. Using a systematic review method based on official governmental agency data, the study analyzed the Finnish Health Care Act from 2005.
As for methods, systematic review was conducted to ensure quality and relevance of the results. Data was acquired from research articles, Finnish national health agency’s (THL) as well as international databases (OECD, EU and WHO). PRISMA diagram was used for review research results. The quality of the data was assessed using JBI Critical appraisal checklist for systematic reviews and research syntheses.
The study found that while the health care guarantee policy has succeeded in reducing waiting times for non-emergency medical services, there are still challenges in ensuring that patients receive timely and high-quality care. The implementation of the policy has been affected by a variety of factors, including the structure of the health care system and resource allocation decisions. Furthermore, the study highlights the need for improved quality supervision mechanisms to ensure that health care providers are meeting the standards set out by the guarantee policy.
The study is expected to contribute to the ongoing discussion about health care policy in Finland by providing a comprehensive analysis of the implementation and impact of the health care guarantee policy since its introduction. The findings provide insights into the success and the remaining challenges of the Finnish health care system. This research can be used to inform policy decisions aimed at improving the quality and accessibility of health care services, in Finland and other countries facing similar challenges.
As for methods, systematic review was conducted to ensure quality and relevance of the results. Data was acquired from research articles, Finnish national health agency’s (THL) as well as international databases (OECD, EU and WHO). PRISMA diagram was used for review research results. The quality of the data was assessed using JBI Critical appraisal checklist for systematic reviews and research syntheses.
The study found that while the health care guarantee policy has succeeded in reducing waiting times for non-emergency medical services, there are still challenges in ensuring that patients receive timely and high-quality care. The implementation of the policy has been affected by a variety of factors, including the structure of the health care system and resource allocation decisions. Furthermore, the study highlights the need for improved quality supervision mechanisms to ensure that health care providers are meeting the standards set out by the guarantee policy.
The study is expected to contribute to the ongoing discussion about health care policy in Finland by providing a comprehensive analysis of the implementation and impact of the health care guarantee policy since its introduction. The findings provide insights into the success and the remaining challenges of the Finnish health care system. This research can be used to inform policy decisions aimed at improving the quality and accessibility of health care services, in Finland and other countries facing similar challenges.