Health care outside hospital: accessing generalist and specialist care in eight countries

ABSTRACT

This policy brief is intended to provide a basis for a more informed discussion on the future of health care outside the hospital. It aims to describe a broad spectrum of models by exploring the arrangements that are in place in selected countries. Themes include accessing generalist (primary) and specialist care; the relationship between patient choice and user charges; and the scope of services provided by general practitioners, specialists and other providers. Examples are from Australia, Denmark, England, Finland, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Sweden.