viivehoito
Viivehoito is a term used in Finnish healthcare to describe the postponement of medical treatment beyond the point where it would be clinically advisable. Delays can be deliberate or caused by capacity constraints and may affect elective procedures, follow-up visits, or the initiation of therapy. The concept appears across areas such as cancer care, chronic disease management, and planned surgeries, where timeliness can influence outcomes.
Causes of viivehoito include patient-related factors (personal circumstances, symptom management, fear or uncertainty), system-related factors (waiting
Outcomes of delayed treatment vary. Potential risks include disease progression, increased symptoms, and higher overall costs.
Management of viivehoito emphasizes transparent communication, informed consent, and shared decision-making. Clinicians use evidence-based triage criteria
Measurement of viivehoito relies on indicators such as time from referral to treatment, the proportion treated