Presentation
I am a researcher at Kela’s Research Unit. In particular, my areas of research include the reimbursement system for medicine expenses and the allocation of reimbursements for medicine expenses as well as, more broadly, register-based study on healthcare and social welfare.
Expertise
- reimbursement system for medicine expenses
- register-based study on healthcare and social welfare
Ongoing research projects
Previous research projects
- The Effects of the Changes in the Special Reimbursement Rate of Type 2 Diabetes Medicines on the Use of Diabetes Medicines and Take-Up of Social Assistance
- Pharmaceutical Treatment of Persons With Developmental Disabilities in Finland From 2014 to 2018
- Use and Costs of Social and Health Services and Social Security Benefits in Oulu, 2013–2018
Publications
- Räsänen, T., Saarikallio-Torp, M., Rättö, H., & Kari, H. (2025). The impact of day care attendance on antibiotic use among children aged 0-12 years: A population-based register study. PloS one, 20(11), e0335354. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0335354
- Rättö H, Aaltonen K. The effect of pharmaceutical co-payment increase on the use of social assistance -A natural experiment study. PLoS One. 2021 May 5;16(5):e0250305. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250305.
- Rättö H, Kurko T, Martikainen JE, Aaltonen K. The impact of a co-payment increase on the consumption of type 2 antidiabetics - A nationwide interrupted time series analysis. Health Policy. 2021 Sep;125(9):1166-1172. doi: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2021.05.007. Epub 2021 May 21.
- Varimo E, Aronen ET, Mogk H, Rättö H, Saastamoinen LK. Antipsychotic Treatment Duration in Children and Adolescents: A Register-Based Nationwide Study. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2021 Aug;31(6):421-429. doi: 10.1089/cap.2020.0095. Epub 2021 Mar 18. PMID: 33739863.
- Varimo E, Saastamoinen LK, Rättö H, Mogk H, Aronen ET. New Users of Antipsychotics Among Children and Adolescents in 2008-2017: A Nationwide Register Study. Front Psychiatry. 2020 Apr 24;11:316. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00316.
- Rättö H, Blomgren J, Salminen A-L. Kelan järjestämän kuntoutuksen hylkäykset 2005–2017. Työpapereita 153. 2020. Helsinki: Kela. http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2020060941240
Publications and research projects
The Impact of Increasing User Charges for Diabetes Medicines: Lessons From Finland
The impact of the increase in diabetes medicines co-payments.
Duration of ADHD Medication Treatment Among Finnish Children and Adolescents ‒ a Nationwide Register Study
A descriptive, population-based register study covering all Finnish children and adolescents aged 6–18 years.
Prescribing Patterns Before the Initiation of Novel Antidiabetic Medicines in Public, Occupational, and Private Healthcare: A Register Study Reflecting the Guidelines of Care in Type 2 Diabetes
We compared the preceding prescribing patterns of patients who initiated a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor or a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue in public, occupational, and private healthcare.
Non-Dispensed Prescriptions – A Nationwide Descriptive Study
The aim of this study was to estimate the number and share of non-dispensed prescriptions at a national level and in specific patient and medicine subgroups.
Impacts of Policy Changes and the Role of Institutional Structures in Healthcare: Exploring Outcomes Related to the Pharmacological Care of Type 2 Diabetes
The effects of the reimbursement system reform seemed to spread to the social assistance system, as the probability of social assistance receipt rose in patients using type 2 diabetes medicines.
Second-Line Pharmacotherapy Intensification After Metformin Monotherapy in Type 2 Diabetes: A Nationwide Register Study From Finland During 2011-2022
In this nationwide register study, we examined the initiation of a second-line antidiabetic medicine (ADM) among new patients receiving regular metformin monotherapy in Finland during 2011-2022.
Incidence of ADHD Medication Use Among Finnish Children and Adolescents in 2008-2019: A Need for Practice Changes?
This study examined the incidence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder medication among children and adolescents by sex and age group in Finland during 2008-2019.
Biological medicines – generic substitution, pharmaceutical markets, and prescription guidelines
The register research project studies the effects of the generic substitution of biological medicines on the use, costs, and reimbursement costs of health insurance.
Outpatient Antibiotic Prescribing During the First Two Years of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Nationwide Register-Based Time Series Analysis
The greatest decrease in antibiotic prescribing was observed among children aged 0–17 years.
Impact of Diabetes Diagnosis on Dental Care Utilization: Evidence From Finland
The impact of receiving an initial type 2 diabetes diagnosis on dental care utilization.
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