Reflections on demand-oriented and demand-driven care within the current health care system.

The authors describe models for the approach to demand-orientated and demand-driven health care as experienced in the Netherlands. The practical operation of the scheme is discussed including implications for financing and other aspects of regulation. The paper concludes that at present a demand-orientated system is feasible, but changes of a fundamental nature would be necessary to institute a successful operation of demand-driven health care, at least in the country the subject of this study.