[Attitudes of Danish physicians to consumer charges in the health care system]

Consumer charges in connection with visits to a doctor are common in a number of countries often used for comparison but are not employed in Denmark. The Danish Medical Association is opposed to consumer charges in health care and a test sample out of 1,000 of the Medical Association chosen at random showed a definite majority opposed to consumer charges. A minority of the profession was in favour of a nominal fee of less than 70 Danish crowns (approximately 7 pounds) for visits to a doctor while scarcely 4% considered that the fee should be more than 100 Danish crowns (approximately 10 pounds). 40% of the participants considered that the consumer charge would have to exceed 100 Danish crowns before it was of any consequences for the health of the patient. In addition, this study revealed that female doctors were more opposed to consumer charges than their male colleagues. At present, more women than men commence the medical curriculum in Denmark and it must therefore be anticipated that the percentage of women in the Danish Medical Association will soon exceed the present 30%. The resistance os the Danish Medical Association to consumer charges in health care will, therefore, probably be retained.