Finnish professor emphasizes need for continuity in primary healthcare services

Continuity of care must be ensured in health centers’ primary healthcare services, according to Professor Juha Auvinen from the University of Oulu. Speaking on A-studio on Tuesday, Auvinen highlighted that Finland has not successfully improved its primary healthcare services throughout the 2000s.

He noted that Finland had a well-functioning primary healthcare system in the 1990s with a population responsibility model, making it a leading example in this area. Access to healthcare was strong during that time, with good continuity in patient-doctor relationships and available medical services.

“However, since the turn of the millennium, we have witnessed a continuous decline over the past 24 years, based on statistics. This needed to be addressed,” Auvinen stated. He emphasized that correcting primary healthcare would not incur significant costs, estimating it would require €160 million to provide each Finn with their own doctor, managing a population of 1,200 residents and ensuring appointments within two weeks.

Auvinen expressed frustration that funds allocated to healthcare are being “squandered” in a fragmented primary healthcare system. He believes that improvement is achievable with the right intention and urges stakeholders not to delay strengthening primary care any longer. “There is scientific evidence that stronger primary healthcare leads to a more cost-effective overall health system.”

He is confident that all political parties and welfare regions desire effective basic services and encourages collaborative efforts to realize practical arrangements.

Additionally, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo informed parliament on Tuesday about the situation regarding social and healthcare services, maintaining that the government will uphold fiscal balance targets for welfare regions and will not modify existing laws on this matter. As per current legislation, regions must eliminate deficits and achieve fiscal balance by the end of 2026. Following this announcement, the Center Party stated its intention to bring forward an interpellation about the state of social and healthcare services.