Annual Conference Supplement 2010: Patient choice and health care integration: a review of the consistency between two Swedish policy concepts

摘要

PurposeDespite of an insignificant track record of quasi market models in Sweden, new models of this kind have recently been introduced in health care; commonly referred to as ‘choice of care’. This time citizens act as purchasers; choosing the primary care centre or family physician they want to be treated by, which, in turn, generates a capitation payment to the chosen unit. Policy makers believe that such systems will be self-remedial, that is, as a result of competition the strong providers survive while unprofitable ones will be eliminated. Because of negative consequences of the fragmented health care delivery, policy makers at the same time also promote different forms of integrated health care arrangements. One example is ‘local health care’, which could be described as an upgraded community-oriented primary care, supported by adaptable hospital services, fitting the needs of a local population. This paper reviews if it is possible to combine this kind of integrated care system with a competition driven model of governance, or if they are incompatible.