forløpsplaner

Forløbsplaner are structured planning documents used within Danish health and social care to coordinate a patient’s course of treatment and rehabilitation across sectors such as hospital, primary care, and municipal services. They describe the patient’s needs, the goals of care, the planned interventions, the professional responsibilities, and the timelines for action.

The purpose of forløbsplaner is to ensure continuity and transparency in care, enable patient participation, and support quality and efficient use of resources. Typical content includes basic patient information, diagnoses or conditions, short- and long-term goals, planned services and therapies, who is responsible for each action, and the schedule for milestones and follow-up. The plan also addresses discharge or transition planning, information for the patient and relatives, consent and privacy considerations, and criteria for evaluating progress.

Process and use involve a multidisciplinary team collaborating with the patient and their family to develop the plan, which is then updated as needs change. Forløbsplaner are intended to be shared across care settings and supported by common IT systems to facilitate coordination during transitions between hospital care, home care, rehabilitation, and other services. They serve as a central reference point for all actors involved in the patient’s care.

In the organizational context, forløbsplaner support governance on national and regional levels by promoting standardized documentation, accountability, and patient-centered care. Challenges include data sharing across systems, safeguarding privacy, and the need for training and alignment of workflows.

Examples of forløbsplaner include plans for cancer care pathways, rehabilitation after surgery, or chronic disease management, each outlining the intended sequence of care and responsibilities across providers.