Evaluation of the organization and financing of the Danish health care system.
The organization and financing of the Danish health care system was evaluated within a framework of a SWOT analysis (analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) by a panel of five members with a background in health economics. The evaluation was based on the reading of an extensive range of documents and literature on the Danish health care system, and a 1-week visit to health care authorities, providers and key persons. The present paper describes the main findings of one of the panel members. A quality assessment approach is combined with the principles of a SWOT analysis to assess the main features of the Danish health care system. In addition, a public health perspective has been used in judging the coherence of the subsystems of the health systems. It is concluded that the macro-efficiency of the health care system could be increased by improving the cooperation between the subsystems. The relatively high mortality rates suggest that greater input into health education programs could significantly improve the health status of the Danish population. Finally, it is suggested that the steering power of the public board be strengthened by transferring ownership of health care institutions to other hands (privatization).
Janssen
Richard
R
Department of Health Economics, University of Tilburg, Tilburg, The Netherlands.
D003256:Community Participation; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003718:Denmark; D005194:Family Practice / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D006291:Health Policy; D006302:Health Services Research; D006779:Hospitals, Public / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D007348:Insurance, Health; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011057:Politics; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D013597:Systems Analysis; D019472:Universal Health Insurance