Authors

• Jylhäsaari, Jussi (University of Vaasa)

Keywords

community health services, dental care, development, health care costs, health care facilities, health professionals, health services, hospital districts, 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 municipalities which organise health services independently, without co-operating with other municipalities. Similar surveys were conducted in 1997 and 2003.

Questions covered primary health care service provision, and purchasing and competitive tendering of services. The respondents were asked to what extent they agreed with a number of statements pertaining to health care resources and facilities, public health work, and hospital districts in Finland. One topic pertained to what kind of specialist health care services the municipality provided, and how such services were organised. Health care development strategies and plans were studied. Further questions covered the use of client satisfaction surveys, dental care, and the division of tasks between doctors and nurses.