title: [Health services--a system with a variety of objectives].
abstract: The article presents the objectives of the Norwegian health care system as they have been outlined in governmental publications from 1672 to 1999. A model for analysis of objectives is presented. Concern for the patient, estimated medical needs in society and administrative guidelines are common elements in the set of objectives through the period. Effective use of resources became a concern at the end of the period. The stated objectives of the health care systems of Norway are more concerned with the health care system than with health in itself. The model for analysis uses the concepts of mercy, benefit, order and profit for providers to classify the various objectives. Evaluated by this model, the main objectives seem to have been surprisingly stable throughout the period covered by the study, though the concept of benefit seems to become a more important consideration during later decades.
authors.affiliation: Fylkeslegen i Rogaland, Stavanger.
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Braut
mesh_terms: D006296:Health Services / Q000266:history* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000639:trends; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D009664:Norway; D011642:Publications / Q000266:history