The academic year at the School of Naprapathy has begun with a strategy group meeting, where key strategic issues were discussed. The strategy group consists of the Nordic professional associations for naprapaths: the Swedish Naprapathic Association, the Norwegian Naprapathic Association, and the Finnish Naprapathic Association, as well as the Finnish naprapathy program at XAMK and the School of Naprapathy.
A key issue raised was salary ranges for naprapaths. The discussion also highlighted the need for a unified profession and the importance of strengthening membership in the professional associations that represent the collective interests of naprapaths.
Furthermore, the Finnish Naprapathic Association reported that a government inquiry has been initiated to explore the possibility of professional regulation for naprapaths, among others. A positive outcome could lead to naprapaths in Finland, like their colleagues in Sweden and Norway, receiving a protected professional title and licensure, which would be a major step forward for the development of the profession. The inquiry is expected to be completed within three years.
The meeting also covered the upcoming master's degree program in Finland, which plans to offer a Master of Health Science starting in the fall of 2025, with a focus on rehabilitation, sports medicine, and naprapathy. This educational initiative is a significant contribution to the academic advancement of the profession and reinforces naprapathy as an established and scientifically grounded healthcare profession.
Thank you for a productive meeting; we will continue to work strategically together for the future of naprapathy!
Helène Schulte, Licensed Physician, PhD, Principal of the School of Naprapathy
