hoitoreteissä

Hoitoreitteissä is a Finnish term used in healthcare and social services discourse to describe the set of care pathways through which a person receives health and social care services. The word blends hoito (care) and reitti (route) with the inessive suffix -ssä, signaling being within these pathways. In practice, hoitoreitteissä refers to how primary care, hospital services, rehabilitation, home care, and social support are coordinated to support a patient during their care journey.

In policy discussions, hoitoreitteissä is used to analyze and improve the flow of services across different sectors and administrative levels (municipalities, hospital districts, health centers). The concept emphasizes continuity of care, timely transitions between services, patient navigation, and the use of shared information systems and care plans. It is closely related to English-language terms such as care pathways, patient journey, and integrated care. The aim is to reduce duplication, shorten waiting times, and improve outcomes while respecting patient preferences and privacy.

Usage and interpretation vary; hoitoreitteissä is not a strictly defined formal term, and its meaning can differ depending on context, policy document, or academic source. Critics point to challenges in achieving true integration due to regional differences, resource constraints, and data-sharing restrictions. Proponents note that framing care as coordinated pathways helps identify gaps and responsibilities across providers.

See also: hoitoketju, potilaan polku, integrated care, care pathway.