Nordic countries are ahead of the pack when it comes to healthcare. Or is it just a myth? Do Nordic clinics deliver equally top-notch services to everyone? Today, you will learn about similarities and differences between Nordic healthcare systems and discover whether they really stand out. In this article our contributor Jamie Taylor is comparing Nordic healthcare systems: Similarities and differences.
Top Four Similarities
Nordic countries indeed share plenty of similarities in terms of healthcare, standing among the top ten best countries by healthcare development index. Here is what Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland have in common:
- Free Public Health Care
All Scandinavian countries aim for public and open medical services so that everyone can receive high-end medical treatment.
Most importantly, people in Nordic countries pay minimal money for healthcare due to the public health insurance system sponsored by taxes. Given that, over 70% of all medical expenditures are covered by taxes.
So, if you have a fever, you can visit a practitioner, and they will consult and treat you almost for free. There are some patient fees in Nordic countries, but they pale beside medical treatment costs in the United States. For instance, the Finland healthcare system charges a maximum of €20.60 for patient fees.
Related: 6 Scandinavian Health Philosophies We Should All Embrace
- The Highest Healthcare Access and Quality Index
Nordic countries have the highest healthcare access and quality (HAQ) index in Europe. The latest data shows that five Nordic states have the following HAQ indexes:
Iceland: 93.60.
Norway: 90.50.
Sweden: 90.50.
Finland: 89.60.
Denmark: 85.70.
Although Switzerland stands between Iceland and Norway with the 91.80 HAQ value, all other European countries stand behind the Nordics. Only Denmark significantly comes off its neighbors with the 85.70 HAQ value but still outperforms most European states.
- Healthcare Satisfaction by Country
Nordic countries have one more similarity: most people in these states believe they receive good medical services. Most importantly, all countries show significant progress in healthcare quality.
| Country | Percentage of people satisfied with medical treatment in 2007 | Percentage of people satisfied with medical treatment in 2018 | Progress rate |
| Norway | 77 | 85 | 10.5% |
| Denmark | 77 | 84 | 9.1% |
| Finland | 75 | 84 | 12% |
| Sweden | 72 | 79 | 9.7% |
Related: How COVID-19 Affects Scandinavian Countries
4. Nordic Healthcare Systems Face Similar Challenges
Although Nordic healthcare remains one of the best in the world, these five countries deal with the same challenges.
Nordic people enjoy free public healthcare, which is an indisputable advantage. At the same time, Nordic countries seem to cut corners on their healthcare because of the aging population, increasing expats, unhealthy lifestyles, etc.
That’s why many hospitals are consolidated and closed while local institutions are missing the medical staff. As a result, some people have to wait for a general practitioner appointment for weeks. If you ask an average Swede about Sweden health care system pros and cons, they will mention high-quality but hardly accessible treatment.
Then, Sweden health care wait times will frighten anyone – you have to wait from a week to several months to see a doctor. Sure, if you have a bunch of euros to spend, you can go to a private facility and get medical help in a day. But most Swedes believe ridiculous waiting times ruin their healthcare system.
Finns share the same fate – over 4% of the Finnish population report that they don’t receive medical assistance due to waiting times. The same thing goes to Denmark, Norway, and Iceland, where people have to wait for 90 – 100 days to receive medical treatment.
Differences in Nordic Healthcare Systems
Nordic healthcare systems have at least four aspects in common, but they also share a few differences:
- Polarized Cannabis Laws
The world makes slow steps toward cannabis legalization. But Nordic countries seem to be the most inconsistent in this regard, and CBD laws differ to a great extent across Northern Europe.
Thus, Denmark allows CBD consumption as long as CBD products contain 0.2% THC. But CBD oils sold online are illegal there, even from Diamond CBD and other well-established CBD brands.
Meanwhile, in Iceland and Norway, you can buy CBD oils online. But again, they must contain zero THC. In countries like Iceland and Norway, however, you can legally purchase CBD oils and similar hemp or cannabis-derived CBD products online from brands such as Zamnesia, but they cannot contain any THC.
In Sweden, CBD is an illegal drug, while Finland allows CBD only as prescription medication for particular health conditions.
Related: Winter COVID-19 Blues In Norway
- General Practitioners Have Different Roles
Let’s imagine a situation: you overdid it on cider last night. Today, you have a headache, and you know it’s due to high blood pressure. So you go to a cardiologist, and they scratch their head over your case. But you can do this only in Sweden and Iceland.
In Finland, Norway, and Denmark, you will get entrapped in red tape. You would have to visit a general practitioner first. It means waiting for three weeks or so before you get to the specialist. General practitioners have a gatekeeping role there. In some instances, they become an unwanted obstacle between a patient and a specialist.
Comparing Nordic Healthcare Systems: Similarities And Differences – The Final Word
Nordic health care systems have more similarities than differences. All five countries stand among the top nations regarding health care quality. Furthermore, unmatched public medical service remains free in all five countries. But also, Nordic health care systems face the same challenges – mostly outrageous waiting times. At the same time, Nordic authorities have different views on medical marijuana and the roles of general practitioners.
The nations making up Europe’s northernmost region are most commonly called either Scandinavia – Norway, Denmark, and Sweden – or the Nordic countries – Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, and Finland. (Editor’s note)
Comparing Nordic Healthcare Systems: Similarities And Differences is written exclusively for Daily Scandinavian by Jamie Taylor. Jamie is a physician’s assistant with over ten years of experience. He helps people cope with inflammation, chronic pain, and neurological disorders. Once the US government legalized cannabidiol, he established ValidCBDOil to help people live healthier lives with the power of natural ingredients.
Feature image (on top) © Online Marketing / Unsplash
