Physicians educated in countries outside the EU/EEA
Training and Labour Market in Sweden
2010 Swedish Medical Association Swedish Society of Medicine
Medical Education and Training in Sweden Undergraduate medical education in Sweden is of five and a half years duration. Undergraduate Medical Education leads to Lkarexamen which is the equivalent of a Medical Degree (M.D.). In order to be authorised to practice as a doctor, a registration license, Lkarlegitimation is required. Registration is obtained after successful completion of a compulsory preregistration training programme allmntjnstgring (AT) of minimum 18 months and after passing an oral and written examination. The pre-registration period (AT) is undertaken after obtaining the Medical Degree.
Non- EU/EEA Medical Degrees
How to get a Swedish registration?
For doctors with a medical degree obtained in a country outside the EU/EEA complementary training is required in order to be able to obtain full registration in Sweden. This complementary training is described in the picture on the next side. Application to obtain full registration in Sweden is made to The National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen). (1) The National Board of Health and Welfare (NBHW) assesses the applicant doctors clinical competence in every case and decides on the conditions for obtaining full registration. An application form and information on the process of additional training can be obtained from the NBHW (www.socialstyrelsen.se). Following the assessment of clinical competence by the NBHW the applicant doctor must present evicence of sufficient knowledge of the Swedish language. For more information contact the NBHW. (2) A variety of courses (3) on different levels are available in different parts of the country. Additional information about courses may be obtained from the local employment agencies. Having presented evidence of sufficient knowledge of the Swedish language the applicant doctor shall complete either: an exam testing medical knowledge and skills (4) or a probationary period of clinical service of six months. (5) The most common requirement for non-EU doctors with no specialist qualification is to do the exam testing medical knowledge and skills. Qualified specialist doctors with considerable working experience usually has to do the six month period of probationary work. The decision however rests with the NBHW alone, which assesses each applicant individually. A favourable decision on an additional educational programme or recognition by the
The different country councils (Landsting) which are the regional administrators of health care in Sweden decide upon the number of preregistration posts. The Swedish Parliament has decided that the number of pre-registration posts shall be sufficient to match the number of Swedish medical graduates as well as doctors with foreign qualifications. After obtaining full registration the doctor applies for a Specialist Training Post (Specialisttjnstgring ST). Specialist training takes a minimum of five years and results in a Certificate of Specialist Qualification. In Sweden there are at present 57 recognised medical specialties.
Non EU/EEA Medical Degrees
The National Board of Health and Welfare decides on complementary training (1)
Evidence of sufficient knowledge of the Swedish language (2)
Doctors without specialist training
Doctors with specialist training
Test of medical knowledge and skills (4)
Probationary period of six months (5)
Pre-registration training (AT) (6)
Test on medical laws and regulations (7)
A formal application to obtain full registration as a doctor (8)
A formal application to obtain an official specialist certificate. (9)
National Board of Health and Welfare does not bring an automatic permit to study, work or otherwise stay in Sweden. Information on regulations for residence and work permits in Sweden is provided by the Swedish Embassy, the Swedish Consulate or by the Swedish Migration Board. (www.migrationsverket.se) After successful completion of the exam testing medical knowledge and skills, (a maximum of two retakes are allowed) or approved probationary work period, the NBHW will state the conditions for obtaining full registration for each individual applicant. The most common case is that the applicant doctor who has been required to do the exam testing medial knowledge and skills must thereafter complete
the pre-registration training (Allmntjnstgring AT). (6) However, even applicants who have been required to do the probationary work period might be required to complete additional training. The decisions of the NBHW on the requirements for obtaining full registration in Sweden may vary to a great extent between individual applicants. This is due to the fact that the results of the exam testing medical knowledge and skills, as well as the probationary work period, may differ considerably, and also to the fact that the applicants possess different qualifications and experience in general. In addition every individual is required to do training in and successfully complete a test on medical laws and regulations. (7)
After completed test a formal application is sent to the NBHW, to finally obtain full registration as a doctor. Now the doctor has reached the goal and is able to start working as a doctor in Sweden. (8) It is possible to include relevant practice when applying for a Swedish specialist certificate. (9)
Looking for employment Advertisements for available posts are mainly found in Lkartidningen, the Swedish Medical Journal (www.lakartidningen.se). Lkartidningen is published weekly. Advertisements for medical posts are also found in Moderna Lkare and Landstingsvrlden.
Help with salary negotiations through access to up-to-date salary statistics, and guidance in employment matters. Advice and support in questions relating to contract, insurance and pension. Legal advice in discipline matters, labour law and medical law. Access to relevant official reports and policy documents. The membership application form can be accessed through the SMA website www.lakarforbundet. se/membership, or be obtained on phone +46 8 790 35 70.
The Swedish Society of Medicine Is the scientific organisation of the Swedish medical profession. Its aim is to promote research, education and development in the healthcare sector. Contributes more than SEK 25 million to medical research every year. Holds an annual National Convention for doctors.
Medical vacancies are also advertised at Arbetsfrmedlingen (www.amv.se), which is the national employment office. The office-of-contact is determined by ones home address. At the time of registering with Arbetsfrmedlingen it is important to make sure that all information about ones skills and competence is registered in the organisations databank, for example specialist training certificates. This will ensure the best possible match between applicants and vacancies.
Become a member of the Swedish Medical Association (SMA) It is very important that you become a member of the Swedish Medical Association. We can help you with questions concerning your education and the profession.
The Swedish Society of Medicine is responsible, with the support of its 62 sections, for the advanced training of Swedish physicians. An application form for membership of the Swedish Society of Medicine may be obtained through www.svls.se or phone +46 8 440 88 60, fax +46 8 440 88 99.
For further information For more information, please visit the website: www.lakarforbundet.se and look under the English section of the website.
The SMA membership entitles you to a number of benefits including: Counselling and support in questions relating to your education, professional role and work situation.
Swedish Medical Association (Sveriges lkarfrbund) P O Box 5610. SE-114 86 Stockholm. Visit: Villagatan 5 Phone + 46 8 790 33 00. Fax: +46 8 20 57 18 e-mail: [email protected] www.lakarforbundet.se
Swedish Society of Medicine (Svenska Lkaresllskapet) P O Box 738. SE-101 35 Stockholm. Visit: Klara stra Kyrkogata 10 Phone + 46 8 440 88 60. Fax: +46 8 440 88 99 e-mail: [email protected] www.sls.se
