OBJECTIVES: Diffusion refers to the process by which new technologies, i.e. new drugs, devices, procedures and health programmes, are adopted and disseminated in the healthcare system. Early adoption of new technologies in Denmark does not always seem to be in focus, when compared with the other Nordic countries. The objective was to identify drivers and barriers influencing the diffusion in Denmark represented by four cases: thrombolysis in acute stroke, statins for the prevention of ischemic heart disease, mammography screening and biological TNF-alfa drugs in rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: The overall method used was the qualitative case-study method, as an empirical inquiry method that investigates a contemporary phenomenon within its real-life context. The data used were written documentation (articles, reports, etc.), databases and statistics, and interview of key opinion leaders and patient organisations. The diffusion in the four cases was benchmarked with similar status in Sweden, Norway and Finland. RESULTS: Denmark has in all four cases been a late adopter, and the level of diffusion is lower compared with Sweden, Norway and Finland. Except for statins, the diffusion of the technologies is geographical unequal in Denmark with the new technologies only offered in some hospitals and counties. Opposed to this for example mammography screening is fully implemented in Sweden, Norway and Finland. Professional disagree-ment/uncertainty is one of the identified key barriers, where decision-makers demands additional Danish evi-dence, although international evidence exist. Further key barriers to diffusion are budgetary constraints (e.g. silo mentality), tradition/culture, and lack of information, knowledge and qualified staff. CONCLUSION: The study has shown that Denmark is, if not a laggard, then a late adopter with a decentralized healthcare system with no concrete policy goals, which makes it further difficult to disseminate the new technol-ogy in all county councils. No difference between drugs and other types of technologies were found.