One of the biggest transitions in many years is currently underway in Swedish healthcare. A comprehensive system reform that has so far cost as much as SEK 28 billion. On the theme of "How are things going with good and close care", Sirona organized two high-profile seminars during Almedalen Week with a number of renowned experts and decision-makers who together raised some of the most topical issues.
- Healthcare is something that affects us all, but the interest was even greater than we had expected. Campus Visby, where the seminars were held, was packed. We had booked 50 seats, but more than 80 people came to listen to the talks and learn about the latest developments," says Shadi Abbas, Managing Director at Sirona.
The overall goal of the transition and system reform is that healthcare should be organized based on citizens' needs and conditions with a greater focus on primary care. Johan Assarsson, Senior Expert at Sirona, was the moderator for the two panels.
The different expertise and responsibilities of the participants gave an added impetus and dimension to the discussions. While there was consensus on the main issue of the need for greater responsibility for primary care, such a wide-ranging exercise naturally raises a number of complex challenges and issues.
How are costs shared between urban, rural and socio-economically disadvantaged areas? What can be learned from start-ups like Kry and Doktor.se? How to create better collaboration between hospitals, primary care and community care?
These were just some of the discussion points during the panel debates. Or as panelist Jean-Luc af Geijerstam, Director General of the Swedish Agency for Health and Care Services Analysis, summarized it in an article in Dagens Medicin that covered the first seminar:
- We can do great things, but it comes at a cost and we have to choose. That is perhaps the most important part of the public commitment, to actually choose what creates the most value.
This is a key issue for the whole transition, and as a strategic partner, Sirona can be a bridge and play an important role in the way forward.
- We have extensive expertise and experience in working with municipalities, regions and authorities on change management and strategic analysis to create accessible and person-centered care. We also know how important it is to involve everyone in this journey," says Shadi Abbas.
