With the holidays just around the corner, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for a successful 2019 and wish you a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!
In recent years, the School of Naprapathy has made significant investments, primarily in the following areas:
The purpose of these strategic initiatives is to further contribute to the college's overall goal: to be a world-leading educational institution in manual medicine, to support and conduct high-quality international research in manual medicine, and to consolidate and develop the role of naprapathy in society.
It is therefore satisfying to be able to summarize the year 2019.
The largest strategic investment within the naprapathy program is the pedagogical development that is taking place continuously, encompassing all parts of the education such as teacher competence, learning modules, practical components, and examinations.
The majority of the college's teachers currently hold research degrees, and to further strengthen the research connection within the educational program, subject representatives have been appointed, all of whom hold doctoral degrees.
To further promote a scientific approach among students, the time allocated for independent work on bachelor's theses has been increased, among other measures. Furthermore, the majority of these theses are based on material from ongoing research projects conducted at the college in collaboration with Karolinska Institutet and with supervisors who hold research degrees.
During 2019, teaching has been developed, primarily through new digital learning modules. Several practical components within the main subject of naprapathy have been filmed and digitized. Anatomy instruction, which is the foundation for how students understand the structure of the human body and how the musculoskeletal system functions in health and disease, is now conducted using tools such as the digital platform 3D4Medical.
Investment in study techniques has been expanded by establishing a weekly scheduled workshop.
Finally, the Naprapathy Group has continued work on the new curriculum for 2020, which will come into effect in August of next year.
Research is a crucial factor for the development of the main subject of naprapathy, as well as within sports medicine. The School of Naprapathy therefore makes continuous investments in these areas.
The college's research initiatives are primarily carried out through collaboration with Karolinska Institutet and Sophiahemmet University, as well as through the funding of doctoral studies for naprapaths.
We are proud to announce that another naprapath has earned a PhD this year. Martin Asker defended his thesis, “Shoulder injuries in adolescent elite handball players,” at Karolinska Institutet this autumn. His principal supervisor was Professor Eva Skillgate, a professor of nursing science at Sophiahemmet University and now also an adjunct professor at the School of Naprapathy.
The work of the School of Naprapathy’s Scientific Council (NVR) has continued to evolve, now with expanded resources including three professors, one associate professor, five PhD-holding naprapaths, and one physician. It feels solid!
Research collaboration with Sophiahemmet University and Karolinska Institutet has continued throughout the year, primarily through the research project for which the School of Naprapathy serves as the principal investigator: the Försloppsstudien, which has now included an increasing number of patients.
Collaboration with other higher education institutions and training bodies is another key strategic factor, facilitated through research-strategic initiatives, educational efforts, and collaborative networks.
Most of the lecturers at the School of Naprapathy are active researchers at institutions such as Karolinska Institutet. External lecturers are also recruited from the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, Stockholm University, Uppsala University, and Sophiahemmet University. Further collaboration takes place continuously through faculty exchanges with the state-run naprapathy program at South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (XAMK) in Kotka, Finland.
Through supervisors and examiners who review final-year bachelor's theses, we also maintain collaborations with institutions including Linköping University, Blekinge Institute of Technology, and Mid Sweden University.
Other significant parties in our collaborative network include Nordic professional associations for naprapaths, government agencies, the sports movement, the school system, interest and industry organizations, the business sector, and the general public.
The Strategy Group at the School of Naprapathy held two meetings this year. The group consists of representatives from the educational programs in Sweden and Finland, as well as naprapathic associations from Sweden, Norway, and Finland. The Strategy Group’s work focuses on strengthening and developing naprapathy within both the academic and professional worlds, both nationally and internationally.
Significant issues discussed during the year include:
We are pleased to note that demand for the School of Naprapathy is high, which resulted in a record-sized class starting in August 2019, DN56.
This is likely due to several factors, such as the college's active participation in education fairs in both Sweden and Norway, and our significant investments in digital marketing for both the education program and our clinics. The most important factor, however, is that our alumni recommend the program – this is the single most important reason why new students choose to apply to the School of Naprapathy.
Based on student surveys conducted throughout the year, our enrolled students appear to be very satisfied with most of our teachers and courses. Meetings within the Student Social Committee and the Education Committee indicate that the atmosphere at the college is positive and that there is both commitment and a strong desire to learn.
Licensed naprapath Patrik Otteberg, in his capacity as the new clinic manager, can report that patient volume has been very satisfactory, and the surveys completed by patients clearly show that our students take fantastic care of them. Thank you!
During the year, both administrative functions and the teaching staff have been expanded. The organization at the School of Naprapathy has been strengthened and clarified, resulting in short and simple decision-making processes, as well as transparent and clear governance. A controller function has been added, and the CEO has transitioned into the role of Chairman of the Board.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the School of Naprapathy achieving its goals in 2019! As Principal, I look forward with great excitement to 2020, which will be a jubilee year!
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!
HELÈNE SCHULTE
PRINCIPAL ; MD ; PhD
School of Naprapathy - School of Naprapathy
KRÄFTRIKET 23A ; 114 19 STOCKHOLM ; SWEDEN
