News

Yesterday 17 delegates from different provinces in China came to learn more about the COPD Centre at Sahlgrenska University Hospital and the model used in Region Västra Götaland.

Although the use of telemedicine is a vital part of the model, it is not the one that has improved the care the most.

– Technology is not the biggest improvement. It is the integrated way of working, which has a large impact on the patient’s health while at the same time being more cost efficient, says Anders Ullman, Head of the COPD Centre.

Ann-Louise Elm Kullingsjö, Occupational therapist and member of the COPD team

Patient participation is key in the model. How is the life situation in general? The goals for the treatment need to be set together with the patient to reach a better outcoume.  The occupational therapist plays an essential role in activating the patient in their everyday life. Some activities you do because you need to, and others because you think they are fun. The team together with the patient strive to reach a balance between those two. It is often the small changes that make a greater difference.

Team from the left: Lowie Vanfleteren, MD. Anders Ullman, Head of Centre. Ann-Louise Elm Kullingsjö, Occupational therapist. Anita Nordenson, MD.

The COPD team and we are looking forward to continuing the dialogue with different provinces in China about possible future collaborations within the COPD field.

The Specialist Clinic for Orthodontics is looking for new candidates for their specialist training programme starting in 2020. Remember to submit your application no later than October 31.

Read more about the programme layout and application process to see if this is the right spot for you.

After the deadline we will review the applications and select a few candidates for Skype interviews in November. Those who succesfully pass that step will be invited to an on site assessment in Gothenburg in the beginning of 2019.

Our Specialist Training Coordinator Erika Nettelbladt is happy to help if you have any questions.

We are looking forward to getting to know you!

It’s back! The National Board of Health and Welfare has reinstated certificates for Non-EU/EEA doctors completing our Specialist Training Programme in Medicine. A national quality assurance of great importance to our international candidates.

Swedish Specialist Training in Medicine has now been appointed the highest educational grading by Saudi Commission for Health Specialties. This means that Saudi doctors, completing a specialist medical training in Sweden shall be treated as the first group when applying for the degree of specialist or consultant degree in Saudi Arabia.

Great news for the doctors in various specialties that are currently in training at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Region Västra Götaland, and through Skåne Care at Skåne University Hospital and an acknowledgement of Swedish specialist training in general.

For 30 years, we have been offering specialist training for international doctors. Together with our colleagues in Sweden we are looking forward to many more.

The Specialist Clinic for Periodontology is looking for new candidates for their specialist training programme starting in 2020. Remember to submit your application no later than August 31.

Read more about the programme layout and application process to see if this is the right spot for you.

After the deadline we will review the applications and select a few candidates for Skype interviews in September. Those who succesfully pass that step will be invited to an on site assessment in Gothenburg later during the fall.

Our Specialist Training Coordinator Erika Nettelbladt is happy to help if you have any questions. Please note that she is on annual leave July 16-August 13 and will get back to you as soon as possible when back in office.

We are looking forward to getting to know you!

We wish you all the best of summers. The office will be staffed weekdays 9 am to 3:30 pm throughout July. As from August we are back to regular office hours 9 am to 5 pm.

Say hi and congratulations to this group of dentists from Japan!

They just completed an Advanced Course in Clinical Endodontics hosted by us in collaboration with the Specialist Clinic for Endodontics at Folktandvården Västra Götaland (Public Dental Service) and University of Gothenburg.

Associate Professor Thomas Kvist holding a lecture half way through the 5 day course

Professor Gunnar Bergenholtz and Thomas Kvist handing out certificates to the 16 participants upon successful completion of the course.

Hiroshi Miyashita in the middle completed a Post Graduate Programme in Endodontics at the Institute of Odontology at University of Gothenburg many years ago. He is our local partner in Japan. Without him this course would not be possible.

Mrs Junco Miyashita from the ESPDC team in Tokyo.

Happy faces at the farewell dinner at Eriksberg

Arigato to all dedicated lecturers and participants. We are so happy to have met each and every one of you. Your motivation and enthusiasm for your field of expertise is an inspiration. A special thank you to the amazing head of clinic Charlotte Ulin and our partner Hiroshi Miyashita with his EPSDC team in Tokyo. Together we will continue to spread Swedish dental know how in Japan.

Safe travels back home and until next time!

The dates for next course round has not yet been set, in the meantime you are more than welcome to contact our Education coordinator Erika Nettelbladt if you have any questions.

Three years ago she was accepted to a specialist training programme in Orthodontics. Sweden and Gothenburg felt very far away. Within a few months Khulood will have completed the studies and steer back to the hometown of Dubai. Having been trained at the internationally acclaimed Specialist Clinic of Orthodontics at the Institute of Odontology is opening new doors. We met her one hazy afternoon in Gothenburg to look back on her time in Gothenburg, events that have shaped her and #metoo.

Khulood Jamal Bin Haider, soon a specialist in Orthodontics

Before moving she was nervous. On her mind were worries and thoughts of living in a country that far away, being surrounded by a new culture and learning a new language. Was she, a young Muslim woman, going to be accepted by the Swedes and colleagues at the clinic?

That unknown place turned out to be the right choice for her. She fell for the size and that special ambiance that is present in Gothenburg.
– Today I can safely say that Sweden is home to peaceful, understanding, helpful, accepting and non-judgmental people. I have made many Swedish friends, both through the programme and outside. And from all kinds of different countries.
– I’ve seen first-hand that no matter where you’re from, whatever your sexual orientation, religion or values, Sweden is embracing these differences. This is a safe-haven for people at need. Peace and harmony is encouraged here. I want people to know that.

The longing for holidays and trips back home have recently been replaced by a longing for Sweden, which she predicts will be present as she’s on the plane back to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This has become her second home, and changed her.
– This is where I’ve become more independent. Been shaped into something better. My baggage has been bigger although not heavier.” In it are all the friends and colleagues from Sweden and other countries who she’s met here. And she will carry it with her for the rest of her life, no matter the location.

The clinical work in her training has left its mark. A lot has happened, and some moments linger in her memory more than others.
– Once I received a bouquet of flowers from a patient towards the end of her treatment. She wanted to thank me for always making her feel safe, even through moments of pain. I will never forget that gesture or her words.

Each year the world is knocking on the door, offering events that make us raise our sights from our own perspective, at least for a few, well-selected moments. The last few months of 2017 brought new life to #metoo. Well-known phenomenon such as inequality and sexual harassments came to light and were widely spread online. In Sweden women from one business sector after another stepped out, which sent a clear signal about the magnitude of it.

– I’ve discussed this with my friends, both here in Sweden and in Dubai. The #metoo-debate has been recognised at home too, but not in the same direction or proportion as here. Many people have been surprised by how big of an issue this was in a country like Sweden.

Managers, supervisors or colleagues. She describes a clinic where everyone is supportive, encouraging and respectful with each other and towards patients.
– We’re like a family here and programme director Dr Andrea Bresin is the most caring person.

When asked about any personal experiences of harassments in a work-place she says, without a doubt: never.
– But I know how to report it, she says, describing a designated hotline service in Dubai.

Time to shift focus, from here to the future.
– Soon I’m a fully-trained specialist with a diploma from one of the best institutions within my field. This in combination with what university you have a degree from, means the most in UAE. That opens doors to higher positions. Not whether you’re a man or a woman.

You can’t miss her enthusiasm or her dedication. Just as it wasn’t by chance that she found her way here, chance won’t be leading her through her next step.

We got a quick talk with Anders Ullman, Head of the COPD Centre at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, who recently took part in the HOPE Forum in Guangzhou, China together with Donald Ribbentjärn, CEO at Sahlgrenska I.C.

Looking back on the Forum on the flight home, what came into your mind?

CODP constitutes a health issue of gigantic dimensions in China, with 12% of the male and 5% of the women suffering from the disease. They estimate the total number of patients to be above 100 millions, a number which is still increasing.

The root causes are considered to be:

– Frequent and widespread tobacco smoking

-Air pollution

-Biomass smoking (indoor cooking, especially in rural areas)

It was an honour for me to be on site and share our know how about the Sahlgrenska COPD model and get to meet  Professor Zhong Nanshan among others again.

Now when you are back in the office, the real work begins. What is the next step?

COPD is considered one of the absolut top threats to public Health in China, and is subject to significant improvement programs orchestrated from the government.

It was difficult for me to judge, how much they believe they can and want to be supported from us in Sweden. We are looking forward to continuing the dialogue and hope to see a delegation from China in Gothenburg later this year.

The office is closed on April 30th and May 1st due to public holiday.

We are back in office on May 2nd.