We examined preference and performance of four Finnish Galerucella lineola F. populations on alder and willow. In standardized two‐choice laboratory feeding trials with alder and willow, only two naturally alder‐associated G. lineola populations accepted alder. Two conspecific willow‐associated populations preferred willow. These preferences seem to be unstable, however, because they can be modified by the beetles’ experience. Thus, there probably is not a complete host preference‐based isolation of alder‐ and willow‐associated G. lineola beetles in nature. In performance experiments, larvae of all four populations survived better on willow than on alder. This may indicate that willows are the ancestral hosts for G. lineola. Nevertheless, larvae of the two alder‐associated G. lineola populations survived better on alder than larvae of the two willow‐associated populations. On the other hand, larvae of the two willow‐associated populations survived better on willow than larvae of the two alder‐associated populations. This performance trade‐off suggests that G. lineola encounters different selective pressures on alders and willows. On both of them, selection probably disfavours those G. lineola genotypes that are the most successful and abundant on alternative hosts. This may reduce the effects of gene flow that is likely to occur as a consequence of incomplete host preference‐based isolation of alder‐ and willow‐associated G. lineola populations. Data from pupal weights support the idea that alder‐ and willow‐associated G. lineola populations may be genetically differentiated. Pupae of the two alder‐associated populations were heavier than those of the willow‐associated populations irrespective of whether larvae had fed on alder or on willow. Overall, our results indicate host race formation in G. lineola. This process may be enforced by the variable abundance of alders and willows in local communities.

BackgroundIn the literature there are only few empirical studies that analyse the decision makers’ reasoning to contract out health care and social services to private sector. However, the decisions on the delivery patterns of health care and social services are considered to be of great importance as they have a potential to influence citizens’ access to services and even affect their health. This study contributes to filling this cap by exploring the frames used by Finnish local authorities as they talk about contracting out of primary health care and elderly care services. Contracting with the private sector has gained increasing popularity, in Finland, during the past decade, as a practise of organising health care and social services.MethodsInterview data drawn from six municipalities through thematic group interviews were used. The data were analysed applying frame analysis in order to reveal the underlying reasoning for the decisions.ResultsFive argumentation frames were found: Rational reasoning; Pragmatic realism; Promoting diversity among providers; Good for the municipality; Good for the local people. The interviewees saw contracting with the private sector mostly as a means to improve the performance of public providers, to improve service quality and efficiency and to boost the local economy. The decisions to contract out were mainly argued through the good for the municipal administration, political and ideological commitments, available resources and existing institutions.ConclusionsThis study suggests that the policy makers use a number of grounds to justify their decisions on contracting out. Most of the arguments were related to the benefits of the municipality rather than on what is best for the local people. The citizens were offered the role of active consumers who are willing to purchase services also out-of-pocket. This development has a potential to endanger the affordability of the services and lead to undermining some of the traditional principles of the Nordic welfare state.

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The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged rehabilitation professionals to provide therapy through telepractice. The aims of this study were to investigate and compare the uptake of tele-rehabilitation (TR) in Finland amongst different rehabilitation professions during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as potential differences between professions in carrying out TR. In addition, the goal was to explore in more depth therapists’ views about the features that work and challenges of TR. A total of 850 therapists in the physio-, occupational-, speech and language-, and psychotherapy professions participated in the survey that included both quantitative and open-ended questions. The results show that 52% of all the therapists who participated in this study did take up TR with all or most of their clients during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Of all professionals who have carried out tele-rehabilitation during the pandemic, 46% planned to use TR regularly or probably also after the pandemic. There were also clear differences between the professions. Psychotherapists carried out TR during the pandemic and planned to use it also after the pandemic more often than the other professional groups. The qualitative analysis revealed that therapists identified several beneficial but also multiple challenging features of TR. Psychotherapists reported less challenges than other professions. The pandemic has clearly sped up the use of TR in rehabilitation.

PurposeThis case study aims to introduce a novel home care service integrator model called “Kotitori”. In the model the City contracts with a private provider, which, in turn, works with public, private, and third sector providers in order to meet the customer needs in a personalised way.Design/methodology/approachThe case study draws from key policy documents and stakeholder interviews.FindingsThe study introduces a unique form of public‐private partnership in Finland, and describes the basic elements of Kotitori, the development process of the model, and the model's distinctive features compared to more traditional ways of home care service delivery.Research limitations/implicationsThe Kotitori model is still in its early stages of implementation and reliable data on performance are limited.Practical implicationsThe transferability potential of the Kotitori model is good both nationally and internationally. The model is potentially beneficial for countries with an interest in developing integrated care in general, as it reflects a form of “accountable care organisation”.Originality/valueThis is the first study describing the Kotitori model for an international audience.