prioriteringsgrunnlag

Prioriteringsgrunnlag is a Norwegian term for the set of rules, criteria, and ethical principles used to decide how limited public resources should be distributed, particularly within health and social care services. It functions as a framework for making explicit, defensible choices about which services, treatments, or levels of care should be provided when resources are not sufficient to cover all needs.

A prioriteringsgrunnlag typically includes criteria such as severity of need, expected health benefit, prognosis, urgency, possible effect of treatment, and, to some extent, cost-effectiveness. It also incorporates ethical principles like equity and solidarity, with attention to giving consideration to the most vulnerable or severely ill, and to involving patients’ preferences when feasible. The framework may be established at national, regional, or local levels and is usually documented in guidelines or policy documents to ensure transparency and consistency.

Implementation involves a prioritization process in which decisions are justified against the defined criteria and made in a way that can be communicated to the public. The overarching goal is to improve overall welfare while safeguarding patient rights and maintaining accountability in the use of public funds.

A well-defined prioriteringsgrunnlag helps reduce ad hoc decisions and clarifies how priorities are determined, but it requires regular updates to reflect new evidence, evolving needs, and changing societal values.