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RESEARCH PRODUCT

The quest for promoting integrated care in the Nordic countries – recent reform initiatives, outcomes and obstacles

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Coordination between primary and secondary health care has been the core of Nordic health policy during the last decade [1]. In 2012, Norway introduced a cooperation reform aiming for strengthening integration between primary and secondary health care [2]. Previously, Denmark introduced in 2007 “The Local Government Reform” to improve integration in the health care sector. During the last decades, Sweden has restructured for a more community oriented health care system [4]. The objective of the paper are to compare integrated health policy measures and reforms and their outcomes in Denmark, Sweden and Norway, with regard to success and obstacles for improving “seamless” health care. Current policy, adjustments measures for modification of failed integrative reforms will be discussed. Methodology: Comparative study, mixed method, secondary data, qualitative interviews. Results: Denmark has improved professional sustainability, innovation, quality and economic sustainable units in the primary as well in the hospital sector. Norway has improved the health system in a more integrative and primary care direction, while Sweden successfully has developed sophisticated systems for chains of care. However, the Nordic countries still face challenges in developing sustainable mediating structures, incentives and regulative arrangements between primary and the hospital sector [3, 4].