Healthcare DENMARK Association

In Denmark, the health and well-being of all citizens are considered to be a common concern for the individual, the family and local network, the local community, the municipalities, the regions and the state.

The Danish healthcare system is a universal coverage, single payer healthcare system with a focus on providing free and equal access to healthcare for all citizens, financed via taxes. In order to address rising demands for healthcare services, caused by longer life expectancy, an increase in chronic diseases, and more expensive treatments, the Danish healthcare system is undergoing a transformation with focus on strengthening primary care and municipal healthcare services and at the same time re-structuring the Danish hospital sector. An important part of this transformation also includes a focus on population health and prevention in order to increase the health level status of the entire population.

In this context, Denmark has managed to have one of the most cost efficient healthcare sectors in the world. The Danish medtech industry has contributed to this leading position in terms of innovative solutions that improve healthcare and quality of life for patients, and at the same time benefit the society.

One of the most significant features of the Danish healthcare model is the unique organization of primary care. In Denmark, all citizens have access to a primary care physician of their own choice and the doctor acts as the gateway to all healthcare services.

The organization of the Danish primary care actively contributes to ensuring citizen-centric healthcare services of the highest quality to all citizens. Initiatives to transform and modernize the Danish healthcare system include new primary care services such as local healthcare centres and rehabilitation services, which will be provided by Danish municipalities in close cooperation with GPs.

Several Danish municipalities have already established local healthcare centres. In Aalborg Municipality in North Denmark Region, a healthcare center has been established to provide support and guidance for citizens with chronic diseases such as type 2-diabetes, COPD, cancer, or heart disease. The healthcare center also offers preventive initiatives including physical activities, dietary guidelines, and smoking cessation to motivate citizens to stay healthy and prevent diseases. These offers are free of charge for all citizens in Aalborg Municipality.

Changing demographics and a general rise in chronic patients lead to an increased prevalence of chronic diseases. Increasing demands lead to rising expenditure and this is the reason why addressing chronic disease is an important element in the Danish healthcare transformation.

One third of all Danes suffer from one or more chronic diseases – a number which increases year-by-year. Therefore, early detection of a chronic disease is essential in order to initiate high quality and cost-effective treatment. The earlier a chronic disease can be diagnosed the better chance to treat the patient without the need for expensive surgery, treatment or medicine. Early detection of serious and chronic diseases is therefore addressed with new screening initiatives, integrated care initiatives and continuity of care (clinical pathway) initiatives.

Most patients living with a chronic disease have a high health literacy potential. Educating, involving and empowering these patients is a great potential for using the patients’ own resources to keep their chronic condition compliant. Introducing home monitoring solutions for patients with e.g. diabetes, arthritis or COPD on a national level is therefore a high priority for Denmark and the first national implementations will be ready during 2021.