Regulations regarding professional licensure, exclusive rights to the profession, and protected titles for chiropractors are found in the Patient Safety Act (2010:659), which entered into force on January 1, 2011.
To obtain licensure as a chiropractor, four years of education and one year of practical service are required. This is specified in the Patient Safety Ordinance (2010:1369), Chapter 3, Section 7.
Previously, licensed chiropractors were covered by a Nordic agreement on a common labor market for certain healthcare personnel (SÖ 1994:2). According to this agreement, licensed chiropractors could automatically have their qualifications recognized and thus practice their profession in other Nordic countries where the chiropractic profession is regulated.
As of February 1, 2020, however, this agreement between the Nordic countries on the mutual recognition of healthcare personnel has ceased. Applications for licensure and specialist approval from Nordic applicants are now handled according to the EEA regulatory framework, in the same way as applications from other countries within the EU, EEA, and Switzerland.
Education at the advanced level shall essentially build on the knowledge that students acquire at the undergraduate level or equivalent knowledge. Education at the advanced level shall involve a deepening of knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to education at the undergraduate level and shall, in addition to what applies to education at the undergraduate level:
According to Chapter 3, Section 7 of the Patient Safety Ordinance (2010:1369), practical service for chiropractors must be completed as at least one year of full-time work following the completion of chiropractic training. The service must take place in Sweden and under the supervision of qualified personnel.
The goal of the service is to provide the chiropractor with a broad understanding of the organization and working methods of the Swedish healthcare system. The internship should also create conditions for collaboration with other professional categories, provide knowledge of various treatment principles and methods, and offer practical experience within the profession.
The internship must consist of one year of full-time work under supervision and be distributed as follows:
The service may be completed at several clinics or units. Upon completion of the internship, the supervisor must certify that the service has been fulfilled and specify its content and scope on the National Board of Health and Welfare's designated forms.
During this part of the internship, the chiropractor works under the supervision of a licensed colleague. The focus is on developing practical skills within the chiropractic profession, including the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders.
The public sector portion of the service provides the chiropractor with insight into and experience with care provided within the public sector. Supervision is provided by a specifically appointed supervisor, and areas of practice may include primary care, orthopedics, neurology, rheumatology, and medical rehabilitation. It is also desirable for the chiropractor to have the opportunity to observe psychiatric care as well as departments for radiology, physical therapy/physiotherapy, and occupational therapy. The service period may be divided between primary care and hospital-based care.
During the service period, the chiropractor is expected to develop practical skills and in-depth knowledge in the following areas:
For more information and necessary forms, please refer to the National Board of Health and Welfare's website, under the sections "Practical service for chiropractors" and "Application for authorization as a chiropractor."
As a newly graduated chiropractor, you have excellent prospects for finding work, as the need for chiropractors is high and continues to grow. Chiropractic is a well-established treatment method appreciated by patients with musculoskeletal problems – one of the most common causes of sick leave and visits to the healthcare system.
Previously, it was most common for newly graduated chiropractors to start their own clinics immediately after graduation, but this has changed in recent years. Today, it is more common to begin your career as an employee at an existing clinic, which gives you the opportunity to gain experience and build your skills in a secure environment. Another exciting development is the increase in the number of larger clinics with an interdisciplinary focus. At many clinics, chiropractors are part of multidisciplinary teams where they collaborate with, for example, naprapaths, doctors, physiotherapists, psychologists, and other healthcare providers. As a chiropractor, you will enter a job market with many opportunities, where you can shape your future career based on your own ambitions and interests.
Your future salary as a chiropractor depends on several factors, such as whether you choose to start your own clinic, become an employee, work in the private or public sector, or where in the world you choose to practice. How much you work naturally also affects your income, which gives you the flexibility to shape your career according to your preferences.
Through their education, chiropractors possess specific expertise that enables them to take independent medical responsibility and achieve sustainable results for patient groups that currently account for a significant portion of society's costs, both in terms of healthcare and lost work capacity. These patients often suffer from ailments related to the back, neck, joints, and muscles. Chiropractors, with their expertise in manual medicine, help meet the increasing need for specialized care for musculoskeletal disorders, which ensures a strong and high-demand job market for the profession.
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