The Rise, Heyday, and Incipient Decline of Specialization: Hospitals in Denmark, 1930–1990

1999 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 431-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
Signild Vallgårda

Between 1930 and 1990 Denmark's hospital sector and hospital policy underwent radical changes. In 1930 the sector was dominated by many small hospitals, with care as the central task. By 1990 the number of hospitals had almost halved, specialization had developed, and diagnostic and therapeutic procedures were hospitals' most important functions. There have been many claims that the shape of the health care sector is determined by the development of medicine. This article demonstrates that changes in other areas of society have greatly influenced the development of the Danish hospital sector. In the 1930s and 1940s, the focus was on equity and specialization; in the 1950s, on growth, rationalization, and division of labor; in the 1960s, on growth and planning; and during the last decades, on management, productivity, and cost containment. Since 1980 the specialization, growth, and political acceptability of the specialized hospital sector have decreased, a change that can be characterized as the incipient decline of the specialized hospital sector.

2000 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 323-326
Author(s):  
Frank VANDENBROUCKE
Keyword(s):  

1993 ◽  
Vol 19 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 95-119
Author(s):  
Timothy Stoltzfus Jost ◽  
Sandra J. Tanenbaum

Health care expenditures in the United States have continued to grow despite efforts to control them. This Article discusses the need for health care reform, outlines the model that reform should follow, and considers why the United States has not progressed toward a workable solution. It introduces a single-payer approach to cost containment and explains how such an approach could be “sold” in the United States. Finally, the Article examines various ways to mobilize support for such health care reform.


2012 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Dragomir

This article discusses Romania's role in the creation of the Soviet bloc's Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA) in January 1949. The article explains why Romanian leaders, with Soviet approval, proposed the creation of the CMEA and why the proposal was adopted. An analysis of Romania's support for the creation of the CMEA sheds interesting light on the stance taken by Romania in the 1960s and 1970s against the Soviet Union's attempts to use the CMEA in forging a supranational division of labor in the Soviet bloc. Romania's opposition was largely in accord with the objectives originally envisaged by Romanian leaders when the CMEA was formed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bettina Ravnborg Thude ◽  
Svend Erik Thomsen ◽  
Egon Stenager ◽  
Erik Hollnagel

Purpose Despite the practice of dual leadership in many organizations, there is relatively little research on the topic. Dual leadership means two leaders share the leadership task and are held jointly accountable for the results of the unit. To better understand how dual leadership works, this study aims to analyse three different dual leadership pairs at a Danish hospital. Furthermore, this study develops a tool to characterize dual leadership teams from each other. Design/methodology/approach This is a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. Six leaders were interviewed to clarify how dual leadership works in a hospital context. All interviews were transcribed and coded. During coding, focus was on the nine principles found in the literature and another principle was found by looking at the themes that were generic for all six interviews. Findings Results indicate that power balance, personal relations and decision processes are important factors for creating efficient dual leaderships. The study develops a categorizing tool to use for further research or for organizations, to describe and analyse dual leaderships. Originality/value The study describes dual leadership in the hospital context and develops a categorizing tool for being able to distinguish dual leadership teams from each other. It is important to reveal if there are any indicators that can be used for optimising dual leadership teams in the health-care sector and in other organisations.


2008 ◽  
Vol 53 (01) ◽  
pp. 27-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
WEIZHEN DONG

The medical savings account (MSA) model of health care financing is viewed as a health care cost containment strategy. Yet, health care expenditure in Shanghai has increased sharply since the adoption of the MSA system. This paper looks into the health care reforms in Shanghai, especially since the introduction of the MSA scheme. From the Labor Insurance Scheme and Government Insurance Scheme to the Medical Savings Account scheme, ordinary Shanghai residents have not benefited from the most recent health care reforms. They have found medical care much less affordable. Disparity in access to health care access has become more evident than ever. Meanwhile, health care cost has increased sharply. China has benefited from an emphasis on prevention and primary care, but the government's recent policies give a high priority to catastrophic disease. This is not a cost-effective approach. Shanghai's health care system needs to break socioeconomic class boundaries if it is to construct a harmonious society. Shanghai's decision makers and various stakeholders have the resources and wisdom to face the challenge.


1989 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Perry Moore

This research provides information about the health care cost containment efforts of local governments and agencies across the United States, particularly in large American cities. Survey results indicate that while the public sector lags behind the private sector, public agencies are beginning to match the cost containment efforts of private employers. While initiation of these efforts represents considerable recent progress, their tangible benefits are not yet apparent.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document