Icelandic healthcare system developments

Icelandic healthcare policy has focused on systemic integration and technological advancement. The Ministry of Health released a White Paper proposing to integrate rehabilitation services into the national healthcare system through improved digital infrastructure, data collection, and coordinated assessments.

Subsequent discussions have addressed the expansion of professional roles and the implementation of remote care. While research into the ‘Una Heilsa’ telehealth solution showed improved access and security for type 2 diabetes patients, political debate has emerged regarding the prescribing rights of pharmacists. Concerns were raised by Independence Party MP Ólafur Adolfsson regarding potential conflicts of interest if pharmacists hold financial stakes in medication sales.

A study conducted at Akureyri Hospital regarding type 2 diabetes has further supported the efficacy of telehealth, noting that these services improved patient security and access to nurses, even as physical clinic visits and phone calls decreased. Recent findings from the same hospital confirm that the ‘Unu Health’ telehealth solution continues to provide improved access to nursing staff and increased patient security despite a reduction in traditional physical clinic visits and phone calls.