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DownloadCOUNTRY: Finland
KNOWLEDGE BROKER: Mervi Kattelus, Health Policy Adviser, Finland
SEPEN thanks the knowledge brokers for their contribution in checking and completing the country-information. SEPEN is accountable for the content of the country profiles.
| Type of information | Source | Year | Remarks |
| Table 1: Health workforce stock and replacement | OECD | 2016 | Age characteristics of the nursing stock are not reported. |
| Figure 1: Mobility level in absolute numbers | OECD | 2018 | Only immigration data for OECD countries are available. The data produced are therefore incomplete. Not all OECD-countries register the country of origin of incoming health professionals and some do not register incoming health professionals at all. Emigration data are based on immigration numbers in other OECD-countries, as emigration as such is not registered nor reported. |
| Figure 2a: Number of practicing physicians per 1000 inhabitants | Eurostat | 2014 | Figure 2a presents regional distribution of physicians. Maps are formatted according to the NUTS classification obtained from Eurostat or recent national data provided by the key country informants. The national average is derived from the OECD/Eurostat databases, and the EU average from the “Health at a Glance: Europe” report published in November 2020. |
| Figure 2b: Number of practicing nurses and midwives per 1000 inhabitants | Eurostat | 2011 | Figure 2b presents regional distrubution of nursing and midwifery. Maps are formatted according to the NUTS classification obtained from Eurostat or recent national data provided by the key country informants. The national average is derived from the OECD/Eurostat databases, and the EU average from the “Health at a Glance: Europe” report published in November 2020. |
| Statistic | Number | Data Year |
| Total population | 5 517 919 | 2019 |
| Life expectancy at birth | 81,8 | 2018 |
Source: Eurostat
| Licensed to practice | Practising | Professionally active | |||||
| Statistic | Number | Per 1000 inhabitants | Number | Per 1000 inhabitants | Number | Per 1000 inhabitants | Data year |
| Physicians | 20 995 | 3,84 | 17 511 | 3,21 | 18 526 | 3,39 | 2014 |
| > Generalist Medical Practitioner | Not reported | Not reported | 7 167 | 1,31 | Not reported | Not reported | 2014 |
| > Specialist Medical Practitioner | Not reported | Not reported | 10 775 | 1,97 | Not reported | Not reported | 2014 |
| Nurses | 106 085 | 19,42 | 77 867 | 14,26 | 86 525 | 15,84 | 2014 |
| Midwives | 4 732 | 0,87 | 2 283 | 0,42 | 3 855 | 0,71 | 2014 |
| Dentists | 5 602 | 1,03 | 3 988 | 0,73 | 4 208 | 0,77 | 2014 |
| Pharmacists | 10 509 | 1,92 | 5 941 | 1,09 | 6 334 | 1,16 | 2014 |
| Physiotherapists | Not reported | Not reported | 11 303 | 2,07 | Not reported | Not reported | 2014 |
Source: OECD
Not reported
| Name | Role | Website |
| National Statistical Office | Data provider (Economic & Demographic) | https://www.stat.fi/ |
| Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) | Statistical authority in the health and social sector, responsible for the provision and dissemination of information, and supports decision-making processes. | https://thl.fi/en/web/thlfi-en |
| National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (VALVIRA) | Data provider (Workforce Licence and authorisation to Practice), managing the central register of healthcare professionals (section 24a of the Act on Health Care Professionals) | https://www.valvira.fi/ |
| National Board of Education | Data provider (Education) | https://www.oph.fi/ |
| Finnish Medical Association | Data provider (Workforce) | https://www.laakariliitto.fi/ |
| Finnish Dental Association | Data provider (Workforce) | https://www.hammaslaakariliitto.fi/ |
| Union of the Local Government Employers | Data provider (Health and health care organisation) | https://www.kt.fi/ |
| Name | Role | Website |
| Ministry of Education and Culture | Jointly drafting of a ’Development Plan for Education and Research’, | https://minedu.fi/ |
| Government Institute for Economic Research (VATT) | Jointly develops forecasts on future workforce needs for 28 industries and occupational groups (including health workforce) and related educational needs. | https://vatt.fi/ |
| National Board of Education | Jointly develops forecasts on future workforce needs for 28 industries and occupational groups (including health workforce) and related educational needs. | https://www.oph.fi/ |
| Ministry of Finance | Consulted in the drafting of a ’Development Plan for Education and Research’, | https://vm.fi/ |
| Ministry of Social Affairs and Health | Consulted in the drafting of a ’Development Plan for Education and Research’, | https://stm.fi/ |
| Regional Councils | Jointly drafting of a ’Development Plan for Education and Research’, | https://tem.fi/en/regional-councils |
| Name | Role | Website |
| The Finnish Medical Association | The Finnish Medical Association (FMA) is a professional organisation and independent trade union representing physicians from all branches of medicine in Finland. | https://www.laakariliitto.fi
|
| SOSTE Finnish Federation for Social Affairs and Health | SOSTE is a national umbrella organisation with more than 230 social and health organisations, with the aim of improving health and equity. | https://www.soste.fi/ |
| Finnish Nurses Association | National organisation with the aim of representing the interests of nurses, public health nurses, midwives, and emergency care workers. The membership is voluntary. t in Finland and abroad | https://www.nurses.fi/ |
| National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira) | Responsible for the supervision of providers in healthcare and social sector, as well as issuing licences for professionals and service providers. It also aims to ensure the protection of patient rights and access to safe and high-quality services. | https://www.valvira.f |
| Name | Role | Website |
| Medical universities and faculties | The universities conduct high-quality research and provide research-based undergraduate and postgraduate education in medicine and dentistry. |
|
| Original name | |
| Name in English | Act on Health Care Professionals |
| Short description |
Law on Health Care Professionals Law on vocationally trained persons in health care The Act defines the standards and obligations in order to ensure patient safety and improve the quality of healthcare services. It defines the training requirements and sets the necessary qualifications and competencies for practicing health professionals, as well as the organisation of guidance and supervision of health professional activity – e.g. by operating a central register for health professionals. |
| Publication date | 28 June 1994 (latest amendment entered into force in 1 May 2011) |
| Link to full text | https://finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1994/en19940559 |
| Original name | |
| Name in English | Primary Health Care Act |
| Short description |
The Act defines the main roles and responsibilities with regard to the organisation and maintenance of primary care services. Defined by the 50/1997 Decree, an Advisory Board on Primary Health Care is responsible for the comprehensive development of primary care. Chapter 2a. describes a pilot concerning arrangement of certain functions, such as home care, and aiming to improve the coordination between health and social services to meet the population needs – especially the elderly. |
| Publication date | First version: 1972 |
| Link to full text | https://finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1972/en19720066_20061328.pdf |
| Original name | |
| Name in English | Regional integrated care in Finland: a case study on two counties with comprehensive integration of primary and specialised health care and social services |
| Short description | The study evaluates the impact and key issues of integrated care services and joint health and social care authorities established in Finland. The analysis is based on the experiences from 2 counties, which is considered as an efficient initiative so far. |
| Publication date | 2018 |
| Link to full text | http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/389666/php-4-4-pp1-eng.pdf?ua=1 |
Not reported
| Original name | |
| Name in English | Programme of anticipation of the vocational competence and skills needs (VOSE project) – MITTENA and VATTAGE models |
| Short description | There is an established linkage between policy making and the projection models, as the admission quotas and financing of universities are dependent on the results of these projections. The projection process involves the relevant stakeholders in Finland, such as the Ministry of Education, trade unions, regional councils, etc. The referenced reports provide a description of the Mitenna and Vattage models for multi-sectoral projection of long-term demand for labour and educational needs, as well as an estimate of the skill needs. The Mittena model is used to estimate the education and training provision required to reach an adequate labour market supply in the longer term, while the Vattage model is used as a basis for projecting future labour market trends in Finland. The models estimate that the highest growth in employment can be expected in the health and social sectors. |
| Publication date | 2009
2012 |
| Link to full text | https://skillspanorama.cedefop.europa.eu/en/analytical_highlights/skills-anticipation-finland |
| Original name | |
| Name in English | MEDigi project – systematic implementation of digitisation of undergraduate medical and dental education in Finland |
| Short description | The project aims to adapt digital solutions, such as e-Health and e-learning, in order to modernise medical training in Finland. It covers the digitisation of medical and dentistry training, and intends to establish a resilient health workforce with high-level competences and digital capabilities. Another important pillar of the project is the establishment of a national, harmonised e-learning system as well as a digital pedagogy support for educators. MEDigi is part of a wider framework for the development of medical training. |
| Publication date | November 2019 |
| Link to full text | Project : https://www.medigi.fi/ |
| Original name | TAITONI.FI |
| Name in English | TAITONI.FI |
| Short description | Taitoni.fi is a tool that allows physicians to plan and evaluate their professional development. Taitoni.fi includes:
|
| Publication date | |
| Link to full text | http://www.taitoni.fi/login.aspx |
| Original name | |
| Name in English | Act on Health Care Professionals |
| Short description | According to Section 18 of the Act 559/1994, participation in CPD is mandatory for all regulated professions (physicians, nurses, midwives, dentists and pharmacists) in order to practice the profession. Employers of healthcare professionals are required to provide opportunities for participation in CPD training as well as to monitor whether the CPD requirements are met. The National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira) and the Regional State Administration Agencies are responsible for licencing, registration and supervision of the CPD system. |
| Publication date | 28 June 1994 |
| Link to full text | https://finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1994/en19940559 |
| Original name | |
| Name in English | National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (VALVIRA) |
| Short description | Valvira supervises and guides healthcare professionals and medical facilities both in the private and public sectors. It is also responsible for issuing licences for private healthcare providers operating in two or more regional territories. The licence is issued by a regional government agency if the service provider is operating in one territory. |
| Publication date | N/A |
| Link to full text | https://www.valvira.fi/web/en/healthcare |
| Original name | |
| Name in English | Quality of work life survey |
| Short description | The national survey is investigating the employers’ working environments in terms ofphysical, mental and social needs. It gathers data on labour market status, terms and conditions of employment, work-life balance, occupational health, and factors at the organisation level. The data from 2018 were collected with personal face-to-face interviews and web-based survey using a standardised questionnaire. |
| Publication date | N/A |
| Link to full text | https://www.stat.fi/keruu/tolo/index_en.html |
| Original name | |
| Name in English | Agreements on working conditions |
| Short description | Significant proportion of employees (~80%) are members of trade unions or representative organisations (e.g. medical chamber). Agreements on working conditions, such as payment and working hours, can be defined by either a general collective agreement or local agreements at municipal level. |
| Publication date | N/A |
| Link to full text | https://www.kt.fi/en/collective-bargaining-and-agreements/municipal-agreements |
Not reported
List of sources specific to this country:
Published by the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic – Bratislava 2015 – ISBN 978-80-89825-00-4
Last updated: 10 October 2020
The country fiches are produced under the EU Health Programme 2014-2020 under a service contract with the Consumers, Health, Agriculture and Food Executive Agency (Chafea) acting under the mandate from the European Commission. The information and views set out in the country sheets are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the Commission/Executive Agency. The Commission/Executive Agency does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this study.
Neither the Commission/Executive Agency nor any person acting on the Commission’s/Executive Agency’s behalf may be held responsible for the use which may be made of the information contained therein.
This website was produced under the EU Health Programme 2014-2020 under a service contract with the Consumers, Health, Agriculture and Food Executive Agency (Chafea) acting under the mandate from the European Commission. The information and views set out in this website are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the Commission/Executive Agency. The Commission/Executive Agency does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this website. Neither the Commission/Executive Agency nor any person acting on the Commission's / Executive Agency's behalf may be held responsible for the use which may be made of the information contained therein.