["Is it possible to do less?" The current state of the debate in Sweden]

The question "Is it possible to do less?" and the claim "Less is more!" can be answered and construed in different ways. One possible interpretation, which is well established in the Swedish health system, is "Accomplishing more (of the things that are important) by doing less (of the things that are dispensable)". Essentially, this is the basis of prioritisation in Swedish health care. While the concept of prioritisation is very well established in Sweden, the discussion about prioritising in Germany has always been difficult. It is, from a Swedish perspective, unclear why, of all things, health care should be exempted from prioritisation which otherwise is a necessity concerning all aspects of human and societal life. Some conditions complicate prioritisation in German health care, including the system of private and statutory health insurance and economic incentives which do not reward procedures based on indications. It will be argued that the Swedish health care system is more effective than the German not at least because of the system of prioritisation that allows for providing more necessary and essential health care instead of offering unnecessary and dubious procedures, thereby also improving patient outcome. (As supplied by publisher).