erikoishoito
Erikoishoito is a Finnish term for specialized medical care or treatment provided in hospital settings that require advanced expertise, equipment, or multidisciplinary teams. It forms a distinct level within publicly funded health care in Finland, operating alongside primary health care (perusterveydenhuolto) and is largely organized as erikoissairaanhoito, i.e., specialized hospital care, by hospital districts. In everyday use erikoishoito and erikoissairaanhoito are often used interchangeably, although the formal term in policy documents is erikoissairaanhoito.
Scope and examples: Areas such as cardiology, oncology, neurology, orthopedics, pediatric subspecialties, intensive care, radiology, childbirth
Access and process: Most people reach erikoishoito through referral by a primary care physician or a municipal
Organization and funding: The responsibility for erikoishoito lies with hospital districts and municipalities, within the Finnish
Outlook: Finland continues to develop erikoishoito through centralization of high-complexity services, regional cooperation, and digital referrals