Reports and Policy Briefs

A report on Sweden, United Kingdom and Denmark – September 2023

Author: Peace Ojeka

This report is a compilation of the English summaries of some of the policy reports and briefs published by Forum for Health Policy in 2017-2019. The aim of the report is to give English-speaking readers a brief overview and highlights of Forum’s activities, so as to reach a broader international public.

This policy brief presents a number of policy recommendations to meet society’s challenge with increasing mental health;
– Develop a long-term strategy with specific goals and sub-goals
– Speed up the preventive work in collaboration between different actors in society
– Develop the quality and scope of care
The recommendations are based on suggestions from experts, patient representatives, healthcare pro-viders, entrepreneurs, researchers and others who participated in Forum for Health Policy’s workshop on March 13, 2019. The paper also includes some examples on different ways of working for a better health.

This report summarises Forum for Health Policy’s activities during 2014-2018. Throughout the years Forum has arranged a large amount of events where different actors, national as well as international, have been discussing important health policy issues. The number of member organisations has grown to 17 at the end of 2018, several reports and policy briefs have been published, a research network established and a guest blog initiated, with more than 70 posts at the end of 2018. This and much more is presented in the report (in Swedish).

On October 2nd, 2018, the Forum for Health Policy (Forum) organized a workshop entitled “Health care online, possibilities and challenges. Over 80 people attended, representing patient associations, universities, counties, municipals, enterprises and health care providers. This brief provides a summary of presentations, discussions and recommendations that emerged during the workshop. It also includes a chapter on legislation and regulations as an obstacle for development and two interviews with caregivers about their experiences of incorporating digital care into their services.

Possibilities and challenges connected to online care were discussed from three perspectives; for patients/users, for health care staff and for the health care system as a whole. Increased accessibility, increased participation and equal care were some of the positive aspects raised from a patient and user perspective. Digital exclusion and risk of overdiagnosis were two of the challenges mentioned.

From a health care staff perspective well-functioning digital support was emphasized as a prerequisite for creating a more individualized, flexible and modern working environment. Also, automation of administration enables more time with the patients. Some believed that digital care could be perceived as threatening by employees as well as managers in traditional health care providers, and argued that there is a risk that digital care firms could lead to new information barriers and a shortage of knowledge.

Several positive aspects for the entire system were emphasized, not least increased efficiency and productivity and improved opportunities for personalized care. At the same time, some believed that digital care could contribute to over-consumption and a non- effective use of resources. The participants also highlighted the need to update and adapt reimbursement systems, laws and regulations to new technology.

During the workshop, participants were asked what recommendations they would like to give to politicians in order for modern digital technology to be utilized in the best possible way. Based on the discussions, Forum for Health Policy recommend politicians, on a national and regional level, the following:

• Create a vision for a modern health care system where digital technology is a natural integrated part.
• Change perspective from organization to people.
• Develop and adapt reimbursement systems.
• Use digital technology to create modern working methods.
• Modernize legislation.

Policy changes needed to improve health care

 Summary

In conjunction with Almedalen 2018 (a yearly event that gathers political parties, organisations, companies and citizens to discuss Swedish politics and societal issues) and the forthcoming election, Forum for Health Policy published a report and an article for the Swedish newspaper SVD on Swedish healthcare policy. The main message is that Swedish healthcare is in need of a political leadership that understands the urgency of effective reforms, so that the healthcare system can be adapted to the rapid technological development that is now taking place. Otherwise, there is a risk that innovation will be hampered when it is most needed.