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

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? Programmatic Groups in the Regionalization of German Health Policy.” Politics & Policy 52(6): 1310–30. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12629. Shen, Yongdong, Meng U. Ieong, and Zihang Zhu. 2022. “The Function of Expert Involvement in China's Local Policy Making.” Politics & Policy 50(1): 59–76. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12450. Svallfors, Stefan, Erica Falkenström, Corrie Hammar, and Anna T. Höglund. 2022. “Networked Reports: Commissioning and Production of Expert Reports on Swedish Health Care Governance.” Politics & Policy 50(3): 580–97. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12462.