Minister for Integration Erik Ullenhag held a brief meeting at the Sahlgrenska Academy recently. Together with his political adviser at the Ministry of Employment, he received information about supplementary education for doctors, nurses and dentists who come to Sweden from other countries. The meeting discussed also ways in which immigrants can obtain licences to practise in Sweden.
The meeting was a follow-up to the ministerial visit three years ago, and was held on the initiative of Pernilla Hultberg, coordinator for supplementary education for doctors, nurses and dentists at the Sahlgrenska Academy. Bibi Kennergren, Henrik Sjövall and Jan Olsson took part in the meeting, as did Eva Karklins, who works at Arbetsförmedlingen, matching applications with available jobs.
“The meeting was positive and relaxed. Both Ullenhag and his colleague took away with them not only information but also our best wishes. Ullenhag listened and had a great deal to say, so the meeting felt very constructive,” says Pernilla Hultberg, who presented the task of the Sahlgrenska Academy.
“I also pointed out that education at the Sahlgrenska Academy is a very successful investment that leads directly to employment, while making it clear that it has become more difficult for dentists to find employment.”
A person who has qualified as a doctor, nurse or dentist abroad and who wants to work in Sweden can choose between two pathways to obtain a licence to practice in Sweden. In addition to the supplementary education, it is also possible to study privately and then to take exams in medicine or odontology, combined with work placements arranged through the National Board of Health and Welfare.
“It’s very difficult for dentists and specialist doctors from abroad to find a six-month work placement without help, and I brought up this problem at the meeting. Without additional funds, it’s not easy to convince clinics to take on a person who will require supervision and assessment for such a long period.”
“It would be a good idea to give people with education from abroad information about the two pathways to obtaining a licence to practise in Sweden very early, preferably when they arrive in Sweden or at the Migration Board,” concludes Pernilla Hultberg.
More information about supplementary education at the Sahlgrenska Academy is available at: http://www.sahlgrenska.gu.se/utbildning/kompl_utbildning/
