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Ethical Problems and the Role of Expertise in Health Policy: A Case Study of Public Policy Making in Sweden During COVID-19

Falkenström, Erica and Selberg, Rebecca LU (2025) In Politics and Policy 53(1).
Abstract
Although the literature widely discusses the role of academics as experts in public policy making, empirical case studies on ethical problems related to the production and implementation of health policy are scarce. During COVID-19, the Swedish policy document (PD) National Principles for Prioritization in Intensive Care under Extraordinary Conditions was produced in collaboration with 11 academic experts. Based on a case study, this article examines ethical problems related to the production and implementation of this PD by conducting an analysis of key PDs directed at caregivers during this time. Three ethical problems are identified and analyzed, which relate to starting points, the content of the PD, and the implementation. This study... (More)
Although the literature widely discusses the role of academics as experts in public policy making, empirical case studies on ethical problems related to the production and implementation of health policy are scarce. During COVID-19, the Swedish policy document (PD) National Principles for Prioritization in Intensive Care under Extraordinary Conditions was produced in collaboration with 11 academic experts. Based on a case study, this article examines ethical problems related to the production and implementation of this PD by conducting an analysis of key PDs directed at caregivers during this time. Three ethical problems are identified and analyzed, which relate to starting points, the content of the PD, and the implementation. This study provides strong theoretical support for Jonathan Wolff's model of engaged political philosophy, as well as practical support on avoiding undesirable consequences of policy making and preparing academics for expert roles in public policy. Related Articles: Bandelow, Nils C., Lina Y. Iskandar, Sofie Klingner, and Ilana Schröder. 2024. “From Local Networks to National Reform? (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Politics and Policy
volume
53
issue
1
article number
e12646
pages
13 pages
publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
external identifiers
  • scopus:85214386405
ISSN
1555-5623
DOI
10.1111/polp.12646
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
da462c85-db5b-4a93-8e49-c7d8b9351e09
alternative location
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/polp.12646
date added to LUP
2025-01-13 11:53:17
date last changed
2025-04-04 14:38:58
@article{da462c85-db5b-4a93-8e49-c7d8b9351e09,
  abstract     = {{Although the literature widely discusses the role of academics as experts in public policy making, empirical case studies on ethical problems related to the production and implementation of health policy are scarce. During COVID-19, the Swedish policy document (PD) National Principles for Prioritization in Intensive Care under Extraordinary Conditions was produced in collaboration with 11 academic experts. Based on a case study, this article examines ethical problems related to the production and implementation of this PD by conducting an analysis of key PDs directed at caregivers during this time. Three ethical problems are identified and analyzed, which relate to starting points, the content of the PD, and the implementation. This study provides strong theoretical support for Jonathan Wolff's model of engaged political philosophy, as well as practical support on avoiding undesirable consequences of policy making and preparing academics for expert roles in public policy. Related Articles: Bandelow, Nils C., Lina Y. Iskandar, Sofie Klingner, and Ilana Schröder. 2024. “From Local Networks to National Reform?}},
  author       = {{Falkenström, Erica and Selberg, Rebecca}},
  issn         = {{1555-5623}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{01}},
  number       = {{1}},
  publisher    = {{Wiley-Blackwell}},
  series       = {{Politics and Policy}},
  title        = {{Ethical Problems and the Role of Expertise in Health Policy: A Case Study of Public Policy Making in Sweden During COVID-19}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/polp.12646}},
  doi          = {{10.1111/polp.12646}},
  volume       = {{53}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}