alihoito
Alihoito, in Finnish healthcare, denotes undertreatment: when patients with a diagnosed condition receive less intensive or less appropriate care than guidelines or patient needs would justify. It can involve medications, diagnostic workups, procedures, preventive measures, and symptom relief. Undertreatment is distinct from non-treatment and from overtreatment, and it is discussed as a factor that can worsen outcomes in many diseases.
Causes are multifactorial. Patient factors include frailty, age, comorbidity, treatment preferences, and fear of side effects.
Consequences include poorer disease control, higher symptom burden, reduced quality of life, and higher rates of
Assessment relies on comparing actual care with guideline-based recommendations and population benchmarks. Addressing alihoito involves promoting