Lectures and seminars MEB PhD student seminar: Jonas Ludvigsson

Title

Swedish healthcare - its structure and performance

Abstract 

The Swedish population is characterized by high life expectancy and low avoidable mortality rates. This review outlines the Swedish healthcare system, which offers universal access to all residents and has a long tradition of reforms for social equity. Responsibility for healthcare is shared between the state, the regions, and the municipalities. The Ministry of Health and Social Affairs provides the overall healthcare framework; additionally, several governmental agencies are directly involved in healthcare and public health initiatives. The 21 regions organize, finance, and provide most primary, secondary, and tertiary care, as well as health information channels. Resources for primary care are less plentiful than in many other countries. The 290 municipalities deliver care to elderly people and those with functional impairment. 

The Swedish healthcare system is primarily tax-funded, with 86% of total healthcare expenditures from public expenses and <1% from voluntary health insurance. The gross domestic product (GDP) share of healthcare expenditures, 10.5% in 2022, is above the EU average. The level of unmet needs in the population is low, due to universal coverage and caps on user charges except for dental care. 

Sweden’s healthcare system performs well on care quality and patient satisfaction, but suffers from workforce shortage and care fragmentation. Limitations in care coordination can be attributed to a siloed digital infrastructure and care governance, a low number of hospital beds per capita, and a compensation system that often does not incentivize coordination. Despite these challenges, life expectancy is high and avoidable mortality rates are low in Sweden.

About the speaker

Jonas shares his time between the paediatric department in Örebro and MEB, since 2013. He has a strong interest in research infrastructure, but also in Swedish healthcare and is the scientific secretary of the Swedish Society of Medicine. He also enjoys football and international magazines [hahaha].

The talk will be based on a review article scheduled for publication in Eur J Epi on 19 May.

Contact person: Margaux Mariaz