Dutch Health Themes of Service

As I again intertwingle with the U.S. health care system, I realize how much I like the Dutch approach. The Dutch health services are world known in some circles because of their approach to care based on fourteen themes: Five general themes, nine themes related to special groups of patients and public health problems -

1. Competition - it can stimulate innovation without being a negative.
2. A strong primary health care - gatekeepers and longstanding relationships with patients
3. Transparent hospitals and other institutes
4. Strong patient unions advocating for the patient
5. Dissemination and implementation of successful experiments - Evidence in practice
6. Centers for youth and family - overweight, autism, ADHD, depression, violence, abuse
7. Safe hospitals with strict patient safety mgt systems
8. Integration of emergency services of ambulances, GP's and hospitals
9. Integrated care programs for chronic disease: DM, COPD, heart failure, stroke, cancer
10. Disease management in mental health services promoting recovery
11.One access to long term care
12.Flexible long term care
13.Professional addiction care
14.Legislation on medical end of live decisions with strict ethical systems

Anything even remotely successful must have strong leadership, allocated resources (taxes in the Dutch case), advocacy at all levels, and integration into new professional training. It's worth a look.