ventetiderne

Ventetiderne is a Danish term used to describe the length of time people wait to receive public services, most often in healthcare. In common usage it refers to waiting times for access to medical assessment, diagnostics, and treatment, but can also apply to other public services such as administrative processes or infrastructure projects. The concept is routinely addressed in policy debates, performance reporting, and patient information.

Measurement and scope: In health care, ventetider are measured from the date a referral is submitted by a general practitioner to the date of the first appointment with a specialist, a diagnostic test, or a treatment. Wait times are typically summarized using median values and percentile distributions, and broken down by region, specialty, patient group, and sometimes by urgency. Data are published by regional health authorities and national bodies to provide an overview of access to care. The term may also appear in more general dashboards tracking the speed of administrative processes in civil services.

Policy context: Governments and health authorities use ventetider statistics to monitor access, inform resource planning, and drive improvements. Targets, funding incentives, reform initiatives, and process changes are employed to reduce unnecessary delays and to promote timely care.

Impact and criticism: While shorter wait times are generally seen as a sign of improved access, waiting lists can raise equity concerns and data quality issues. Critics may point to regional variation or incomplete coverage, while defenders argue that published ventetider foster transparency and accountability.

See also: Waiting time, Health care in Denmark, Public administration, Health policy.