erityishoito

Erityishoito is a Finnish term used in the health and social care system to describe care that goes beyond routine, general services and requires specialized expertise, equipment, or organization. It denotes services that are designed to address complex or high-need situations and are typically delivered in hospital settings, specialized clinics, or through closely coordinated community-based teams.

In practice, erityishoito includes a range of services such as intensive or highly specialized medical and surgical care, advanced rehabilitation, psychiatric inpatient care, pediatric and geriatric subspecialty care, palliative and end-of-life care, and long-term or chronic disease management that cannot be provided through standard primary care. It also covers multidisciplinary care planning and coordination, referrals to regional centers of excellence, and home- or community-based services tailored to complex needs.

Access to erityishoito is generally based on an assessment of the patient’s needs by healthcare professionals. Decisions are recorded in care plans and referrals, with the level of care determined by clinical criteria, risk, and potential benefits. Funding is primarily provided through public sector health and social care governance, with complementary reimbursement mechanisms under national health insurance where applicable.

The scope and terminology may vary between municipalities and hospital districts within Finland. As a concept, erityishoito aims to ensure safety, quality, and equity in services for people with complex medical or social needs, linking general care to specialized resources when necessary.