A recent study raised eyebrows and perhaps made a nod in agreement when it revealed that the healthcare system was the main reason foreigners give when leaving Norway.
According to the new report published by forskning.no, both the country's healthcare culture and system are contributing reasons for leaving the country. The findings came from "ExitNorway," a large research project led by Aadne Aasland, a welfare and migration researcher at OsloMet.
This isn't specific to one group of migrants, either.
"We were surprised when we saw this in the results," Aasland told forskning.no. "It is a tendency. We encountered dissatisfaction with health services among all groups of immigrants."
READ ALSO: REVEALED - What's the main reason driving foreigners to leave Norway?
Foreign residents surveyed gave a whole host of reasons why they felt Norwegian healthcare isn't up to par. One of the most common was the idea that GPs actually prevent patients getting what they need, rather than helping them.
"They experience the GP as a 'gatekeeper' who blocks the way to specialists and medications that they feel they need," Aasland explained.
In many countries, patients are used to direct access to specialists, expedited diagnostic testing, and a more proactive approach to prescribing medications. In contrast, the Norwegian system is built on strict filtering and a restrictive approach to medication, especially antibiotics.
Many respondents reported that they felt the system didn't take them seriously. Although the Norwegian healthcare system is intended to be egalitarian and efficient, individuals from the United States or other European countries may perceive it as dismissive or excessively slow.
The Local has asked its own readers why they plan to leave Norway or the reason they have already departed, and a significant number gave dissatisfaction with the healthcare system as the main reason.
Why foreigners find Norway's health system below par
One 45-year-old American resident in Norway told The Local that "I don’t want to leave Norway but I think/fear I will have to because the healthcare is so bad.
"The sick leave is generous but it feels like they would rather pay me not to work than just provide basic medical care.
"I understand that universal coverage for routine care produces positive population-level statistics but at a human level modest complexity causes the system to break down.
"I love my job, work life balance, great friends, ease of city living in Oslo. But the way the medical system is set up lacks accountability and allows errors to snowball."
Egle, from Lithuania, listed the "not good and expensive healthcare" as a main reason for leaving the country.
One reader, resident in Norway for 9 years, described a "flawed healthcare system with long wait times and little action".
In a common criticism of Norway's healthcare system, Aelorory, from Poland, put it bluntly: "The healthcare system is broken and solely reliant on paracetamol tablets."
Eric, 29, left Norway for reasons that chimed with the 'GP Gatekeeper' idea highlighted in the study: "mostly due to a lack of confidence in the healthcare system," he said. "People here are expected to ‘trust the system’ yet there are tons of cases about malpractice and instances where GPs misuse their authority by dismissing or downplaying patients’ concerns."
"It is a difficult choice," he added. "The alternative is to save up and plan to travel abroad for medical check‑ups and any necessary surgery".
There were several things that readers thought could be made better, when they expressed opinions on Norway's healthcare system in a previous survey.
For example, many want dentistry included in the national insurance scheme, as well as shorter waiting times and cheaper medicines.
“Free dental healthcare, more efficient diagnosis and treatment and lower cost of medications” were some of the things one reader told The Local that needed to be improved.
Simon from Oslo wanted better aftercare.
“Aftercare and case resolution, not having issues left unknown or untreated. If a diagnosis can’t be made, send me to a specialist and follow up,” he responded when asked what could be better.
Sinead from Tromsø was among a number of readers who wanted to see more slots for doctors so they could be appointed a GP.
READ ALSO: How to switch GPs in Norway
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