Rapport 1997/29 R (L kar) - Högskoleverket

10
Summary
Basic training for doctors of medicine in Sweden – five and a half years of
university study – meets high international standards. Its objectives work
well and are widely accepted, requiring only minor adjustments. It also has
highly-motivated students and teachers with a high level of professional
competence in both research and practical medicine.
According to an international comparative study the clinical aspects of the
training are characterized by the students having constant contact with
patients and participating in clinical activities. It is further characterized by
smoothly functioning cooperation between the universities and local health
care agencies. Students of all faculties are on the whole satisfied with the
training they receive. They also feel they are adequately prepared for their
pre-registration period as house officers, a period of salaried probation
lasting 21 months.
The students are well represented in decision-making bodies and they are in
a good position to raise individual issues, to shape opinion in relation to
them and to influence the decisions reached. The education system,
characterized by decentralization and management by objectives, has the
capacity to learn from international and national development trends and to
initiate development processes. After their basic training, generally speaking,
the students are well able to follow developments in their field and to
participate in the exchange of information at a scientific level. They have the
knowledge and skills that are necessary for completing their pre-registration
period of salaried probation and that lay a foundation for their practice of
medicine. Even though the training given is good, generally speaking, there
are a number of critical points. In recent years every faculty of medicine has
devoted a great deal of effort to improving plans for both particular courses
and for training as a whole at the basic level. All faculties have initiated
changes intended to reduce the shortcomings that present in medical
training. Outdated forms of passive learning are being replaced to an
increasing extent by modern pedagogical ideas.