The Healthcare System in Finland

Sunny Choi, PhD

Regardless of one’s socioeconomic status, Finland’s publicly funded system – such as education and healthcare to name a few – allows its residents to access these fundamental services for free. With a relatively low population of 5.5 million (geographically similar in size to Germany with a population of over 80 million), Finland’s free healthcare system is supported through taxes. Private healthcare options through private medical providers are also available (through employment for example) as an additional source of access. With private care, patients have access to easier booking with preferred physicians and minimal waiting appointment periods. Private care visits are still partially covered by the Finnish social network.

Primary care in Finland provides services to visit general practitioners, in addition to dental care, child health care, mental health care, and maternity care. Visiting specialists normally require referrals from primary care practitioners. Maternity care and ‘baby box’

Finland at one point carried a high infant mortality. As an effort to improve the health of both mothers and babies, the Finnish government introduced a special maternity package called the “baby box” in the 1930s. This box is provided by the Finnish social security system (also known as Kela) to all expecting mothers to prepare both mothers and babies for their early days, regardless of the family’s financial situation. The box is filled with essential items such as clothing, bedding, bathing items, and diapers that are needed for newborns and their mothers. The box itself can even serve as the baby’s bed.

Access to patient’s health records

All Finnish residents have the right to access their full health records from a secure online platform called Kanta. Healthcare providers as well as patients have full access to their patient records as a source of a two-way consent system. Finland's electronic health records (EHR) system is considered one of the most advanced and comprehensive EHR infrastructures in the world. Its electronic system enhances continuity of care and patient empowerment through its transparent and accessible system. It also increases efficiency by removing paperwork in a secure system that follows strict data protection regulations. This centralized and anonymized health data can then be used for improving public health research purposes.

Conclusion

Finland's universal health coverage model highlights many fundamental rights such as equity, transparency, and accessibility for its residents, but the system may also face sustainability challenges with an accelerating aging population and decreasing birth rate. Nonetheless, Finland’s healthcare system boasts valuable insights as an excellent model for countries such as the U.S. as the country navigates potential improvements for its current healthcare system.

Sunny Choi, PhD developed her career over the years in the field of edtech. Currently based in Finland, Sunny is now pursuing her own startup with a mission to foster digital inclusion between people from multigenerations. Email: choi.sunnys@gmail.com