Innovation in European healthcare – what can Sweden learn? - LIF

Issues in Sweden: clinical research
Is clinical research part of the overall objectives of the
counties?
• ”Clinical research could be said to be part of our objectives, but it isn’t really part of our
assignment. This is due to the financial situation, but also to the ‘de-academisation’ of the
hospitals”, specialist at a University hospital in Stockholm
• ”The quest for increased productivity in healthcare goes on all over the world, and it is a
necessary effort, given the technological and demographic development that we are facing.
However, it is clear that it has led to that the room for clinical research in Sweden has
shrunk.” CEO global pharma Company
• ”We are increasingly focused on productivity, which may be necessary, but the resources or
even acceptance for clinical research are no longer available”, specialist at a University
hospital in Region Skåne
• ”In all honesty, we are talking about innovation and translational/clinical research, but on the
political level, we are not really enforcing it. Production of healthcare has been at the heart
of our efforts. By necessity, but still”, Senior policy maker SKL
• ”Leading University hospitals in the US are better at differentiating between management of
healthcare services and academic excellence than Swedish counties are. The production of
healthcare is carried out under the requirements of productivity, whereas clinical research is
evaluated according to academic standards.” CEO global pharmaceutical company
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