Eli Feiring

Vice-Dean for Bachelor's and Master's Degree Programmes - Faculty of Medicine

Professor - Department of Health Management and Health Economics

Norwegian version of this page

Email eli.feiring@medisin.uio.no

Phone +47-22850528

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Visiting address Sogn Arena Klaus Torgårds vei 3 0372 Oslo

Postal address Postboks 1078 Blindern 0316 Oslo

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Academic interests

Political philosophy, ethics and health policy
Fair distribution of resources, priority setting
Social inequality and health
Risk, lifestyle, responsibility
Paternalism
Expertise and health policy

Teaching

HMET 5120 Qualitative Methods
HMAN 5140 Priority Setting
HADM 4001 Metode og statistikk
HADM 4002 Metode og statistikk
HMED 4102 Komparativ helsepolitikk
MF 9185 Critical Perspectives on Health and Disease

Background

Eli Feiring has a Ph.D. degree (Dr.polit.) in political science, University of Oslo, 2004. She is Professor at the Department of Health Management and Health Economics, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo. From 2023, she is elected Vice-Dean for Bachelor- and Master's Studies at the Faculty of Medicine. She has been elected member of the Advisory Board, Institute of Health and Society, Program Director of the Master's Programme in Health Administration, member of the Advisory Board of the Master's Programme in Health Administration and Track Committee member of the European Master of Health Economics and Management. From 2019-2022, she was Head of Department of the Department of Health Management and Health Economics.

In 2020-21, Feiring was connected to the Centre for Advanced Studies (CAS) at the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters as a fellow. She is leader of several sub-projects under Norwegian Centre for Health Services Research (NORCHER). She is part of ASCERTAIN (Affordability and Sustainability improvements through new pricing, Cost-Effectiveness and ReimbursemenT models to Appraise iNnovative health technologies).

Former employers include

Institute of Political Science, UiO
Fafo (Institute for Labour and Social Research)
The Norwegian Ministry of Social and Health Affairs

Positions held

Member of the Norwegian Dental Care Commission (2022-24)
Vice-Member of Research Ethics Committee, University of Agder (2018-)
Member of the Committee on Prioritising COVID-19 Vaccination in Norway, Norwegian Institute of Public Health (2020)
Member of Committee on Clinical Priority Setting, Norwegian Directorate of Health (2018)
Member of Regional Committee for Medical Research Ethics (REK Sør-Øst), (2009-17)

Fystro, Joar Røkke & Feiring, Eli (2023). Policy-makers' conception of patient non-attendance fees in specialist healthcare: a qualitative document analysis. BMJ Open. ISSN 2044-6055. 13(11). doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-077660. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Objectives: Patients missing their scheduled appointments in specialist healthcare without giving notice can undermine efficient care delivery. To reduce patient non-attendance and possibly compensate healthcare providers, policy-makers have noted the viability of implementing patient non-attendance fees. However, these fees may be controversial and generate public resistance. Identifying the concepts attributed to non-attendance fees is important to better understand the controversies surrounding the introduction and use of these fees. Patient non-attendance fees in specialist healthcare have been extensively debated in Norway and Denmark, two countries that are fairly similar regarding political culture, population size and healthcare system. However, although Norway has implemented a patient non-attendance fee scheme, Denmark has not. This study aimed to identify and compare how policy-makers in Norway and Denmark have conceptualised patient non-attendance fees over three decades. Design: A qualitative document study with a multiple-case design. Methods: A theory-driven qualitative analysis of policy documents (n=55) was performed. Results: Although patient non-attendance fees were seen as a measure to reduce non-attendance rates in both countries, the specific conceptualisation of the fees differed. The fees were understood as a monetary disincentive in Norwegian policy documents. In the Danish documents, the fees were framed as an educative measure to foster a sense of social responsibility, as well as serving as a monetary disincentive. The data suggest, however, a recent change in the Danish debate emphasising fees as a disincentive. In both countries, fees were partly justified as a means of compensating providers for the loss of income. Conclusions: The results demonstrate how, as a regulative policy tool, patient non-attendance fees have been conceptualised and framed differently, even in apparently similar contexts. This suggests that a more nuanced and complex understanding of why such fees are debated is needed.
Kellner, Adrian; Martinussen, Pål Erling & Feiring, Eli (2023). Don't stand so close to me: Perceptions of others’ compliance with COVID-19 recommendations and support for strict policy measures in Norway. Health Policy. ISSN 0168-8510. 136. doi: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2023.104899.
Hagstuen, Per Ove & Feiring, Eli (2023). Rollen som kommuneoverlege etter pandemien – en kvalitativ studie. Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening. ISSN 0029-2001. 143(12). doi: 10.4045/tidsskr.23.0039. Full text in Research Archive
Fystro, Joar Røkke & Feiring, Eli (2023). Mapping out the arguments for and against patient non-attendance fees in healthcare: An analysis of public consultation documents. Journal of Medical Ethics. ISSN 0306-6800. 49(12), p. 844–849. doi: 10.1136/jme-2022-108856. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Background Patients not attending their appointments without giving notice burden healthcare services. To reduce non-attendance rates, patient non-attendance fees have been introduced in various settings. Although some argue in narrow economic terms that behavioural change as a result of financial incentives is a voluntary transaction, charging patients for non-attendance remains controversial. This paper aims to investigate the controversies of implementing patient non-attendance fees. Objective The aim was to map out the arguments in the Norwegian public debate concerning the introduction and use of patient non-attendance fees at public outpatient clinics. Methods Public consultation documents (2009–2021) were thematically analysed (n=84). We used a preconceived conceptual framework based on the works of Grant to guide the analysis. Results A broad range of arguments for and against patient non-attendance fees were identified, here referring to the acceptability of the fees’ purpose, the voluntariness of the responses, the effects on the individual character and institutional norms and the perceived fairness and comparative effectiveness of patient non-attendance fees. Whereas the aim of motivating patients to keep their appointments to avoid poor utilisation of resources and increased waiting times was widely supported, principled and practical arguments against patient non-attendance fees were raised. Conclusion A narrow economic understanding of incentives cannot capture the breadth of arguments for and against patient non-attendance fees. Policy makers may draw on this insight when implementing similar incentive schemes. The study may also contribute to the general debate on ethics and incentives.
Håvi, Gry; Feiring, Eli & Opheim, Randi (2022). «Mer enn bare en håndlanger»: oppfatninger om sykepleierens betydning for kvalitet ved koloskopi. Sykepleien Forskning. ISSN 1890-2936. 17. doi: 10.4220/Sykepleienf.2022.90030.
Fystro, Joar Røkke; Hofmann, Bjørn Morten & Feiring, Eli (2022). On the person in personal health responsibility. BMC Medical Ethics. ISSN 1472-6939. 23(1). doi: 10.1186/s12910-022-00802-y. Full text in Research Archive
Kjelsnes, Ashwanee A. & Feiring, Eli (2022). Models of integrated care for older people with frailty: a horizon scanning review. BMJ Open. ISSN 2044-6055. 12(4). doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-060142. Full text in Research Archive
Nilsen, Heidi & Feiring, Eli (2022). Local public health projectification in practice: a qualitative study of facilitators and barriers to a public health plan implementation. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. ISSN 1403-4948. doi: 10.1177/14034948221080402. Full text in Research Archive
Waggestad-Stoa, Malin Nuth; Traina, Gloria & Feiring, Eli (2022). Barriers and facilitators to adopting horizon scanning to identify novel integrated care models: a qualitative interview study. BMJ Innovations. ISSN 2055-8074. p. 1–7. doi: 10.1136/bmjinnov-2021-000804. Full text in Research Archive
HAIG, YLVA & Feiring, Eli (2022). Stakeholder views of the development of a clinical quality registry for interventional radiology: a qualitative study. BMC Health Services Research. ISSN 1472-6963. 22(44). doi: 10.1186/s12913-021-07423-y. Full text in Research Archive
Feiring, Eli & Solberg, Carl Tollef (2021). Priority setting of COVID-19 vaccines in Norway: Advice and process (English translation) . Michael. ISSN 1893-9651. 28, p. 49–59. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
In the autumn of 2020, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health invited us to participate in an external group that would be advising on COVID-19 vaccine priority-setting in Norway. The group’s mandate was to set goals for the Norwegian National Coronavirus Immunisation Programme, as well as to provide general recommendations regarding priority groups in the first phase of the vaccine deployment. The group recommended prioritising the risk group and healthcare personnel and also proposed geographical prioritisation depending on community case incidence. The group’s advisory report was part of a large-scale multidisciplinary project comprising epidemiology, medicine, infection control, computer modelling of COVID-19 vaccine efficacy and economic cost-benefit analyses. Priority setting implies that some citizens are given preference ahead of others who must wait. In Norway, as elsewhere, there is disagreement concerning the values, principles and goals determining vaccine prioritisation. In this article, we present an account of the group’s work process, advice, and rationales in more detail and identify values-based ‘trade-offs’ that pose particular challenges.
Feiring, Eli & Solberg, Carl Tollef (2021). Prioritering av koronavaksine: Råd og prosess. Michael. ISSN 1893-9651. 18(28), p. 49–59. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Høsten 2020 inviterte Folkehelseinstituttet oss til å delta i en ekstern gruppe som skulle gi råd om prioritering av koronavaksiner i Norge. Gruppens mandat var å utarbeide mål for det norske koronavaksinasjonsprogrammet, samt gi overordnede anbefalinger om prioriterte grupper i den første fasen av vaksina- sjonen. Gruppen anbefalte å prioritere risikogruppen og helsepersonell og åpnet for geografisk prioritering avhengig av smitteutbredelsen i samfunnet. Gruppens rådgivende rapport var en del av et stort flerfaglig arbeid, som inkluderte epi- demiologi, medisin, smittevern, datamodellering av koronavaksinenes effekter og samfunnsøkonomiske lønnsomhetsanalyser. Prioritering betyr at noen får først, mens andre må vente. I samfunnet er det uenighet om verdier, prinsipper og mål for vaksineprioritering. I denne artikkelen belyser vi gruppens arbeids- prosess, råd, og begrunnelser nærmere, og peker på verdiavveininger som er særlig utfordrende.
Elster, Jakob & Feiring, Eli (2020). Når er registerbasert helse- og helsetjenesteforskning uten samtykke etisk forsvarlig? In Befring, Anne Kjersti Cecelia & Sand, Inger Johanne (Ed.), Kunstig intelligens og big data i helsesektoren Rettslige perspektiver. Gyldendal Juridisk. ISSN 9788205531963. p. 452–474.
Feiring, Eli & Westdahl, Stine (2020). Factors influencing the use of video interpretation compared to in-person interpretation in hospitals: a qualitative study. BMC Health Services Research. ISSN 1472-6963. 20(856). doi: 10.1186/s12913-020-05720-6. Full text in Research Archive
Traina, Gloria & Feiring, Eli (2020). ‘There is no such thing as getting sick justly or unjustly’–a qualitative study of clinicians’ beliefs on the relevance of personal responsibility as a basis for health prioritisation . BMC Health Services Research. ISSN 1472-6963. doi: 10.1186/s12913-020-05364-6. Full text in Research Archive
Feiring, Eli; Traina, Gloria; Fystro, Joar Røkke & Hofmann, Bjørn (2020). Avoiding hypersensitive reluctance to address parental responsibility in childhood obesity. Journal of Medical Ethics. ISSN 0306-6800. doi: 10.1136/medethics-2020-106120. Full text in Research Archive
Traina, Gloria & Feiring, Eli (2020). Priority setting and personal health responsibility: an analysis of Norwegian key policy documents. Journal of Medical Ethics. ISSN 0306-6800. doi: 10.1136/medethics-2019-105612. Full text in Research Archive
Traina, Gloria; Martinussen, Pål Erling & Feiring, Eli (2019). Being Healthy, Being Sick, Being Resposnible: Attitudes towards Responsibility for Health in a Public Healthcare System. Public Health Ethics. ISSN 1754-9973. 12(2), p. 145–157. doi: 10.1093/phe/phz009. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Lifestyle-induced diseases are becoming a burden on healthcare, actualizing the discussion on health responsibilities. Using data from the National Association for Heart and Lung Diseases (LHL)’s 2015 Health Survey (N = 2689), this study examined the public’s attitudes towards personal and social health responsibility in a Norwegian population. The questionnaires covered self-reported health and lifestyle, attitudes towards personal responsibility and the authorities’ responsibility for promoting health, resource-prioritisation and socio-demographic characteristics. Block-wise multiple linear regression assessed the association between attitudes towards health responsibilities and individual lifestyle, political orientation and health condition. We found a moderate support for social responsibility across political views. Respondents reporting unhealthier eating habits, smokers and physically inactive were less supportive of health promotion policies (including information, health incentives, prevention and regulations). The idea that individuals are responsible for taking care of their health was widely accepted as an abstract ideal. Yet, only a third of the respondents agreed with introducing higher co-payments for treatment of ‘self-inflicted’ conditions and levels of support were patterned by health-related behaviour and left-right political orientation. Our study suggests that a significant support for social responsibility does not exclude a strong support for personal health responsibility. However, conditional access to healthcare based on personal lifestyle is still controversial.
Feiring, Eli & Friis, Tori (2019). Facilitators and barriers to clincians' use of COPD action plans in self-management support: A qualitative study. Patient Education and Counseling. ISSN 0738-3991. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2019.11.002. Full text in Research Archive
Feiring, Eli & Lie, Astrid Eidesvik (2018). Factors perceived to influence implementation of task shifting in highly specialised healthcare: a theory-based qualitative approach. BMC Health Services Research. ISSN 1472-6963. 18:899, p. 1–10. doi: 10.1186/s12913-018-3719-0. Full text in Research Archive
Feiring, Eli & Wang, Hege (2018). Rationing cancer treatment: a qualitative study of perceptions of legitimate limit-setting. BMC Health Services Research. ISSN 1472-6963. 18. doi: 10.1186/s12913-018-3137-3. Full text in Research Archive
Feiring, Eli & Walter, Anne Berit (2017). Antimicrobial stewardship: a qualitative study of the development of national guidelines for antibiotic use in hospitals. BMC Health Services Research. ISSN 1472-6963. 17(747). doi: 10.1186/s12913-017-2683-4.
Feiring, Eli (2017). Liberal helsepolitikk - mot privatisering av høykostnadsbehandling? Michael. ISSN 1893-9651. 14, p. 2019–2027. Full text in Research Archive
Feiring, Eli & Wang, Hege (2016). Prioritering i praksis. Onkonytt. ISSN 1503-7886. p. 58–61.
Feiring, Eli (2015). Lifestyles. In ten Have, Henk (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Global Bioethics. Springer. ISSN 978-3-319-05544-2. p. 1–11. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-05544-2_273-1.
Feiring, Eli & Ugstad, Kristian (2014). Interpretations of legal criteria for involuntary psychiatric admission: a qualitative analysis. BMC Health Services Research. ISSN 1472-6963. 14(500). doi: 10.1186/s12913-014-0500-x.
Feiring, Eli (2014). Private helseforsikringer - et gode? In Botten, Grete Synøve; Frich, Jan C; Hagen, Terje P.; Iversen, Tor & Nordby, Halvor (Ed.), Helsetjenestens nye logikk. Akademika forlag. ISSN 978-82-321-0348-5. p. 117–126.
Aas, Eline; Alstadsæter, Annette & Feiring, Eli (2013). Does Healthcare Moderate the Impact of Socioeconomic Status on Self-rated Health? Journal of Clinical Research & Bioethics. ISSN 2155-9627. 5(1). doi: 10.4172/2155-9627.1000169.
Feiring, Eli (2012). Makspris på liv og helse. In Fossheim, Hallvard & Ingierd, Helene C. (Ed.), Forskning og penger. Forskningsetiske komiteer. ISSN 978-82-7682-063-8. p. 79–92.
Bringedal, Berit; Feiring, Eli & Berøe, Kristine (2011). Social disparities in health and the physician's role. A call for clarifying the professional ethical code. World medical journal : official journal of the World medical association. ISSN 0049-8122. 57(5), p. 196–198.
Bringedal, Berit & Feiring, Eli (2011). On the relevance of personal responsibility in priority setting: a cross-sectional survey among Norwegian medical doctors. Journal of Medical Ethics. ISSN 0306-6800. 37(6), p. 357–361. doi: 10.1136/jme.2010.038844.
Feiring, Eli (2009). REASSESSING INSURERS' ACCESS TO GENETIC INFORMATION: GENETIC PRIVACY, IGNORANCE, AND INJUSTICE. Bioethics. ISSN 0269-9702. 23(5), p. 300–310. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8519.2008.00653.x.
Feiring, Eli (2008). Reassessing Insurers Access to Genetic Information: Genetic Privacy, Ignorance and Injustice. Bioethics. ISSN 0269-9702. doi: 10.111/j.1467-8519.00653.x.
Feiring, Eli (2008). Lifestyle, Responsibility, and Justice. Journal of Medical Ethics. ISSN 0306-6800. 34(1), p. 33–36. doi: 10.1136/jme.2006.019067.
Feiring, Eli (2008). Skal samfunnet belastes vår usunne livsstil? RØST: Radikalt økonominettverks skriftserie. ISSN 1503-9595. 1, p. 58–64.
Feiring, Eli & Huseby, Robert (2007). Velferdsstat, fordelingsrettferdighet og nyliberalisme. In Mydske, Per Kristen; Claes, Dag Harald & Lie, Amund (Ed.), Nyliberalisme - ideer og politisk virkelighet. Universitetsforlaget. ISSN 978-82-15-01162-2. p. 69–83.
Feiring, Eli (2006). Demokratiet og rettsliggjøringen av velferdspolitikken. Tidsskrift for samfunnsforskning. ISSN 0040-716X. 47, p. 575–587.
Feiring, Eli (2006). Konsekvenser av velferdsrettigheter. Tidsskrift for velferdsforskning. ISSN 0809-2052. 9, p. 44–47.
Feiring, Eli (2005). Legitime prioriteringsbeslutninger. Tidsskrift for velferdsforskning. ISSN 0809-2052. p. 65–72.
Feiring, Eli; Nagel, Hilde & Mæhle, Synne Sæther (2002). To myter om rettighetsfesting av velferdspolitikken. Retfærd. Nordisk Juridisk Tidsskrift. ISSN 0105-1121. p. 52–70.

View all works in Cristin

Fystro, Joar Røkke & Feiring, Eli (2024). Hvorfor har vi fraværsgebyr? Medisinbloggen.
Feiring, Eli; Løberg, Magnus; Bjaalie, Jan G.; Dyb, Grete Anita & Harbo, Hanne-Cathrin Flinstad (2023). Kjønn og helse, utdanning og forskning. Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening. ISSN 0029-2001. 143(11). doi: 10.4045/tidsskr.23.0408.
Fystro, Joar Røkke & Feiring, Eli (2023). Fraværsgebyrer kan lære oss noe om økonomi og etikk. Dagens medisin. ISSN 1501-4290.
Torjusen, Marius Lamberg; Solberg, Carl Tollef; Barra, Mathias & Feiring, Eli (2022). Priority setting in Norwegian municipal health and care services: A content analysis of policy documents. BMJ Global Health. ISSN 2059-7908. 7. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2022-ISPH.73. Show summary
Introduction Norway has a long tradition of open priority setting in health care services. However, the principles and instruments for priority setting have mainly been used in specialist health care. In 2017, an official committee was commissioned to evaluate if and how to adopt the three Norwegian priority-setting criteria – health benefit, resources, and severity – in the municipal health and care services. The aim of this article was to examine the arguments for and against implementing the current criteria in municipal health and care services, using documentary data from the ensuing political process. Methods Data consisted of Norwegian policy documents discussing prioritisation principles for municipal health and care services: The Official Norwegian Report 2018:6 (green paper), the written consultation responses from the hearings, and the Report to the Parliament 38 (2020-2021) (white paper). The documents were analysed using a predefined conceptual framework where arguments were categorised by their level of abstraction and the degree of (dis)agreement with the recommendations in the green paper. Results Data suggested general agreement to use the same criteria in all levels of Norwegian health service. However, disagreement was identified when considering the lack of feasible implementation processes. Recurrent themes in the data were the municipalities’ legal and financial lack of scope to set priorities under constraints, challenges regarding operationalising a supplementary physical, psychological and social mastery criterion, and prioritising in situations where the benefits are difficult to measure. Discussion The many duties and responsibilities of municipal health and care make priority setting decisions more complex than in specialist health care. In summary, the Norwegian green paper on priority setting in municipal health and care services has presented a well-received recommendation. However, how to inevitably tackle the many complex, and sometimes wicked, prioritisation problems in practice remain unanswered.
Fystro, Joar Røkke & Feiring, Eli (2022). 185:poster The ideas behind charging for non-attendance in healthcare: an analysis of key policy documents in Denmark and Norway. BMJ Global Health. ISSN 2059-7908. 7. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2022-ISPH.53.
Feiring, Eli (2021). Social insurance, mutualistic insurance and genetic information. Journal of Medical Ethics. ISSN 0306-6800. doi: 10.1136/medethics-2021-107542.
Feiring, Eli (2020). Horizon scanning in health service research.
Hofmann, Bjørn Morten; Fystro, Joar; Traina, Gloria & Feiring, Eli (2019). Hypersensitive Reluctance to Address Issues of Responsibility in Childhood Obesity? .
Feiring, Eli (2014). Helsevesenets vedvarende floker. Nytt Norsk Tidsskrift. ISSN 0800-336X. 3, p. 383–386.
Feiring, Eli (2012). Maksimal pris på helse.
Feiring, Eli (2012). Demokratiet og rettsliggjrøing av velferdspolitikken.
Feiring, Eli (2012). Makspris på helse.
Aas, Eline; Alstadsæter, Annette & Feiring, Eli (2011). Healthcare moderates impact of socioeconomic status on self-rated health.
Feiring, Eli (2008). Usunn livsstil - hva så? Morgenbladet. ISSN 0805-3847.
Feiring, Eli (2008). Forsikringsselskaper og genetisk informasjon. [Internet]. Nytt fra Norges forskningsråd.
Feiring, Eli (2008). Hvem har ansvaret for følgene av usunn livsstil?
Feiring, Eli (2007). Distributional justice: Theory and measurement. Tidsskrift for samfunnsforskning. ISSN 0040-716X. 48.
Feiring, Eli (2007). Rettighetsfesting av eldreomsorg. [Newspaper]. Morgenbladet.
Feiring, Eli (2007). Rettighetsfesting som styringsverktøy.
Feiring, Eli (2004). Rasjonering av helsehjelp. [Newspaper]. Klassekampen.
Feiring, Eli (1998). Er ventelisteordningen bare tull? Dagsavisen. ISSN 1503-2892.
Feiring, Eli; Førde, Reidun; Holm, Søren; Norheim, Ole Frithjof; Solberg, Berge & Solberg, Carl Tollef [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2020). The Coronavirus Immunisation Programme Advice on priority groups for coronavirus vaccination in Norway Expert group in ethics and priority setting 15 November 2020. Norwegian Institute of Public Health. Full text in Research Archive
Feiring, Eli; Førde, Reidun; Holm, Søren; Norheim, Ole Frithjof; Solberg, Berge & Solberg, Carl Tollef [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2020). Råd om prioriterte grupper for koronavaksinasjon i Norge. Ekspertgruppe i etikk og prioritering 15. november 2020. Folkehelseinstituttet. Full text in Research Archive
Feiring, Eli (2005). Virkninger av rettighetslovgivning - en kunnskapsoversikt. Helse- og omsorgsdepartementet.
Feiring, Eli (2004). Rettferdig rasjonering av sykehusbehandling. Om den norske modellen for prioritering mellom pasienter med behov for spesialisert helsehjelp. Universitetet i Oslo.
Falkum, Eivind; Feiring, Eli & Gautun, Heidi (1996). Hva med dobbeltklientene? Samarbeid mellom barne- og ungdomspsykiatri. Evaluering av Klokkerhuset. Forskningsstiftelsen Fafo. ISSN 82-7422-153-2.
Feiring, Eli (1992). Rettferdig fordeling - en analyse av debatten om sosial rettferdighet. Universitetet i Oslo.