Health at a Glance 2009
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Health at a Glance 2009

OECD Indicators

This fifth edition of Health at a Glance provides the latest comparable data on different aspects of the performance of health systems in OECD countries. It provides striking evidence of large variations across countries in the costs, activities and results of health systems. Key indicators provide information on health status, the determinants of health, health care activities and health expenditure and financing in OECD countries.

This edition also contains new chapters on the health workforce and on access to care, an important policy objective in all OECD countries. The chapter on quality of care has been extended to include a set of indicators on the quality of care for chronic conditions.

Each indicator in the book is presented in a user-friendly format, consisting of charts illustrating variations across countries and over time, brief descriptive analyses highlighting the major findings conveyed by the data, and a methodological box on the definition of the indicator and any limitations in data comparability. An annex provides additional information on the demographic and economic context within which health systems operate, as well as a concise description of key characteristics in health system financing and delivery of services in OECD countries.

Publication Date :
08 Dec 2009
DOI :
10.1787/health_glance-2009-en
 
Chapter
 

Consultations with doctors You or your institution have access to this content

Authors:
OECD
Pages :
90–91
DOI :
10.1787/health_glance-2009-37-en

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Consultations with doctors can take place in doctors’ offices or clinics, in hospital outpatient departments or, in some cases, in patients’ own homes. In many European countries (e.g. Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Spain and United Kingdom), patients are required, or given incentives, to consult a general practitioner (GP) "gatekeeper" about any new episode of illness. The GP may then refer them to a specialist, if indicated. In other countries (e.g. Austria, Czech Republic, Iceland, Japan, Korea and Sweden), patients may approach specialists directly.
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