What do ABBA, IKEA and Goldie Luong have in common?

Ask clinicians and administrators across the globe to name a model health care system, and Sweden’s often comes to mind. Although the country doesn’t spend as much as some others, its system delivers excellent care and its population is one of the healthiest in the world.

So, when Goldie Luong, director of special projects for Vancouver Acute, competed nationally — and won — the prestigious Emerging Health Leader Scholarship, she was, quite simply, “ecstatic”! The honour came with an all-expenses paid scholarship to participate in the Canadian College of Health Leaders’ 2013 Sweden Study Tour, which brings together a small group of health care leaders in health services research, policy, administration, government and the corporate sector to explore developments in health services policy and organization in the Swedish health system.

With her bags barely unpacked, VCH News caught up with Goldie to ask her about this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study health care in the home of ABBA, IKEA and swedish meatballs. 

VCH News:  Where did you tour?

Goldie:  Our itinerary took us to Sweden’s capital Stockholm, as well as to Gothenburg, which is located on the west coast and is the country’s second-largest city. The tour was comprehensive and wide-raging, providing us perspectives on urban and rural health care services. We visited hospitals, primary care clinics, specialized clinics, nursing homes and more. We learned about the role of city councils and private, for-profit alternatives — yes, Sweden even has private hospitals with for-profit healthcare operations!

Make yourself at home: A typical — and very stylish and comfortable — waiting room in a Swedish primary care clinic.

VCH News:  If you could describe the Swedish health care system in three words, what would they be?

Goldie: Patient-centred. Efficient and wellbeing.

The entire system is patient-centred and the country’s cultural values, including the importance of work-life balance and a healthy, active family life, support a sustainable health care system. Primary care plays a much more prominent role as well, making the system very efficient.

VCH News:  What impressed you the most?

Goldie: The system’s overall ability to have the right patient at the right place, at the right time. Primary care clinics are plentiful and the services are well integrated with the acute care system, but even within the primary care stream, care is thoughtfully organized.

The health care centers are multi-disciplinary and the teams work very well together. This is where patients are primarily cared for, and they only go to the hospital for emergency and surgical procedures. For example, when a patient calls a clinic a triage nurse answers the call, and when a patient comes in for care, a nurse or the most appropriate clinician sees you. A doctor will be called only if absolutely needed.

I was also really impressed by the health care environments, both for patients and staff. Hospitals and clinics are designed and decorated to feel like someone’s home. You don’t feel like you’re in a cold, clinical space. In fact, you could be using the same IKEA furniture you have at home!

Clean and clutter-free: A hallway with comfortable visitor seating in a specialized clinic.

VCH News:  How will you take what you’ve learned in Sweden to support Vancouver Acute Services?

Goldie: I will be writing a report that summarizes my experiences, and I expect to focus in on my learnings about tighter integration with primary care, managing patient flow and reducing hospital infections, all of which apply directly to the work I do every day. The other take-away was how the Swedish design it right the first time, thus reducing duplication, waste and clutter. I believe we’re on the right path with eliminating waste and redundancy, which is achieved in Sweden through thoughtful design.

I’ve also started looking at how to transform the environment we share by using colours, art work and plants, to create a warm, inviting and uplifting space — starting with my own office. From what I saw and believe, it increases staff morale.