How Sweden plans to digitalize healthcare
The Swedish government is investing in digitalization of its 1177 Healthcare Guide with the aim of improving accessibility.
The government on Thursday announced the decision to grant 33.5 million kronor to the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SKL) to develop the 1177 Healthcare Guide (Vårdguiden), a website where people can find out information about different healthcare issues.
"We hope that this will benefit all patients in the country," Minister for Health and Social Affairs Lena Hallengren told reporters at a press conference.
She said that Swedish healthcare needed to become more accessible and that more digital options will be introduced to the 1177 Healthcare Guide, including for example the possibility to communicate via video calls.
Another aspect of the plan is the introduction of digital booking, and the possibility for patients to keep track of their referrals online.
Healthcare in Sweden is organized at a regional level and in some areas it is already possible to carry out an online doctor's visit, either via a chat function or a video call.
But the investment would be used to "weave together different functions", the spokesperson for SKL's healthcare department said.
It will remain possible to contact 1177 by phone as well, something which would be particularly important for groups which are less likely to turn to digital solutions, Hallengren said.
READ ALSO: What to do if you need a sick day in Sweden
Vocabulary
healthcare – (en) sjukvård
accessible – tillgänglig
online doctor's visit – (ett) nätläkarbesök
patient – (en) patient
doctor – (en) läkare
We're aiming to help our readers improve their Swedish by translating vocabulary from some of our news stories. Did you find it useful? Do you have any suggestions? Let us know.
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The government on Thursday announced the decision to grant 33.5 million kronor to the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SKL) to develop the 1177 Healthcare Guide (Vårdguiden), a website where people can find out information about different healthcare issues.
"We hope that this will benefit all patients in the country," Minister for Health and Social Affairs Lena Hallengren told reporters at a press conference.
She said that Swedish healthcare needed to become more accessible and that more digital options will be introduced to the 1177 Healthcare Guide, including for example the possibility to communicate via video calls.
Another aspect of the plan is the introduction of digital booking, and the possibility for patients to keep track of their referrals online.
Healthcare in Sweden is organized at a regional level and in some areas it is already possible to carry out an online doctor's visit, either via a chat function or a video call.
But the investment would be used to "weave together different functions", the spokesperson for SKL's healthcare department said.
It will remain possible to contact 1177 by phone as well, something which would be particularly important for groups which are less likely to turn to digital solutions, Hallengren said.
READ ALSO: What to do if you need a sick day in Sweden
Vocabulary
healthcare – (en) sjukvård
accessible – tillgänglig
online doctor's visit – (ett) nätläkarbesök
patient – (en) patient
doctor – (en) läkare
We're aiming to help our readers improve their Swedish by translating vocabulary from some of our news stories. Did you find it useful? Do you have any suggestions? Let us know.
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