Evidence-based health

Gagnreynd heilsa is a unit within the Directorate of Health and a collaborative programme designed to support coordinated and evidence-based healthcare in Iceland. This is achieved through the development, stewardship, regular updating and implementation of clinical guidelines, quality standards and quality indicators, together with their contextualisation for the Icelandic setting.

The programme aims to:

• Support evidence-based decision-making

• Reduce unwarranted variation in healthcare services

• Improve patient outcomes and safety

• Support the efficient use of healthcare resources and public funding

Gagnreynd heilsa is a long-term programme that aims to build a sustainable framework for clinical guidelines, quality standards and quality indicators for use within the Icelandic healthcare system. The goal is to develop a process for prioritising new topics and to support the establishment of additional projects in the coming years.

Clinical Guidelines

Evidence-based recommendations that support decision-making about healthcare and treatment.

Quality Standards

Define what constitutes high-quality healthcare and describe those aspects of care that are important to improve and monitor.

Quality Indicators

Measures that show whether the aims of quality standards and clinical guidelines are being achieved.

Type 2 Diabetes

The first topic area for Gagnreynd heilsa is the contextualisation of NICE clinical guidelines for the management of adults with Type 2 diabetes, together with the development of related quality standards and quality indicators.

This project marks the beginning of Gagnreynd heilsa's work to develop and implement clinical guidelines, quality standards and quality indicators in Iceland. The experience gained from this first project will support the continued development of Gagnreynd heilsa and help prepare for the development and implementation of additional projects in the coming years.

A diverse group of partners are represented on the Gagnreynd heilsa Steering Committee.

• Directorate of Health

• Ministry of Health

• NICE International (advisory role)

• Landspítali University Hospital

• East Iceland Healthcare Institution

• Primary Health Care of the Capital Area

• Development Centre for Primary Healthcare in Iceland

• Icelandic Health Insurance

• Advisory Council of the Icelandic Medical Association

• The Icelandic Nurses Association

Events

• 6th October 2026. Gagnreynd heilsa Stakeholder Event. Fosshótel Reykjavík

Gagnreynd heilsa
Directorate of Health
Katrínartún 2
105 Reykjavík

Email address: gagnreyndheilsa@landlaeknir.is