Authors

• Korttila, Kirsi (University of Vaasa)
• Kukkanen, Leea (University of Vaasa)

Keywords

community health services, decentralization, dental care, development, health care costs, health care facilities, health professionals, health services, hospital services, local government services, medical care, medical centres, medical specialists, physicians, resources, strategies

Abstract

The survey focused on primary health care in Finland, how Finnish municipalities organise, produce and manage the services, what kind of changes have been made, and what are the strategies for the future. This survey was aimed at health centre and health clinic managers and other management-level employees in the selected municipalities. Similar surveys were conducted in 2000 and 2003.

Questions covered primary health care service provision, centralisation and decentralisation of health services, municipal health care costs, and purchasing and competitive tendering of health services. One topic pertained to the location and ownership of the health centre, the number of staff, and whether the staff were constantly on duty. The respondents were also asked to compare the health centres in their municipalities with other health centres in Finland.

One topic pertained to the decision-making and management of primary health care in the municipality. Views were also probed on the use of performance measures, client satisfaction surveys, and client feedback. Finally, the development of primary health care service provision since 1992, the present state, and development policies for the future were charted.