Sweden

Welcome to Worldwide Physical Therapy Practice: a focus on Primary Care Physical Therapy

This is a project created by and for the students in the School of Physical Therapy at the University of St. Augustine in St. Augustine Florida. Please do not edit unless you are involved in this project, but please come back in the near future to check out new information!!

Original Editor - Mardone Tan.

Lead Editors - Your name will be added here if you are a lead editor on this page.  Read more.

Patient Access to Physiotherapy or Physical Therapy Services / Entry Point

• In Sweden, physiotherapists are experts on movement and have an independent responsibility to prevent, investigate and treat disabilities and to evaluate the effects of treatment. They also develop methodology and quality assurance. Physiotherapists take a holistic view of patients’ health, personal situations, personalities and individual circumstances in order to recommend the right preventive or rehabilitative measures. ¹
• Patients can access physiotherapy in various areas such as hospitals, primary care centers, home based health care and company health care. They can also access physiotherapy through private clinics. Physiotherapists often work in close contact with people, from children to the elderly, in everything from acute care to preventive health. The work is conducted in close contact with other health care professions. They can also choose to work on health prevention, developmental work, education or research. ²
• Patients normally see physicians by appointment, although if patients need urgent attention, it is possible for them to see a physician without an appointment at some health centers during certain hours of the day. General practitioners provide treatment, advice and prevention. Others directly employed at this level include physiotherapist. ³

Therapist Preparation

      Degree/Credentialing

• There are about 7 physiotherapy schools in Sweden, graduating about 550 students per year. ⁴
• To become a physiotherapist in Sweden, a university education is needed, Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy (Bsc), based on upper secondary school education. It lasts 3 years and is based on upper secondary school education. When graduating the physiotherapist obtains a University Diploma in Physiotherapy. The diploma entitles the graduate to the registration issued by the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare. Physiotherapists can enroll educational programs which lead to a postgraduate degree: ⁵
  - Master of Science in Physiotherapy (MSc)
  - Doctor of Medical Science (PhD)
• The Professional Title of Registered Physical Therapist is protected by the state, but the professional activity is not. The rules of professional conduct are determined directly by the state through national legislation. The physical therapist must be state registered and obtain a license to practice. The national authority responsible for the physiotherapy profession in Sweden is "The National Board of Health and Welfare". ⁴

      Specialization

• After the three-year program, which leads to both a Bachelors degree and a professional physiotherapist qualification, you can continue your training in one of the physiotherapy specialist areas as specified by the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen). Physiotherapists can specialize in these areas:²
• patients with pain, injuries and/or diseases in the musculoskeletal system,
• patients with diseases in or damage to the respiratory organs or circulatory systems,
• patients with diseases in or damage to the nervous system,
• patients with mental ill-health or psychosomatic problems,
• children and young people with disabilities or disease,
• older persons with physical or mental disabilities

Professional Associations

• What are the professional associations associated with Physiotherapy or Physial Therapy in this country?

Information about the Patient Community

• What is the population these PT’s serve?
• What are the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the population served?

Social/Cultural Influences

• What is the influence of the family on a patient's health status?
• What are the typical patient's living conditions, family dynamics, and cultural back ground?

Delivery of Care

• Is delivery of care provided in a timely manner?
• Special methods? Home health etc
  

Type of Health System

• Is it a national health system with universal access?
  

Payment System

• What methods to patient use to pay for service? (Insurance, bartering etc.)