Healthcare in Sweden, despite the occasional frustrations, is relatively straight-forward to figure out. Here are the essentials which you can find in the Student Guide but I've tried and tested with my own recommendations! Note: I am not a health professional, nor am I endorsed by any of the places I've written about. I've just condensed everything I've learned from reading the Student Guide, speaking with the International Desk and calling/in-person visiting various health professionals.
Image sourced from the Student Guide p. 33
Swedes are kind of almost stoic about the way they handle illness - you don't go to a doctor unless it's really urgent or life-threatening. This might come off as a bit of a cultural shock, just to give you a heads up on how Swedes go about accessing healthcare!
Process: When you rock up to a health clinic, depending on where, but in general: a receptionist will refer you to a nurse, who will then assess you, and if you're deemed sick enough, you'll get referred on to a doctor. All of this is covered by the Swedish Medical Insurance which you can claim through this form. Make sure to attach the original copies of all receipts!
Initial consultation/visit to a health clinic: When you first arrive at a healthcare clinic you need to bring a valid ID (e.g., residence permit, drivers licence) AND passport. The clinic needs to register you within their own system and "create" a personal number for you. You can't do anything at the clinic without this personal number - it's a bit frustrating if you want to access healthcare at different clinics, but this is the process. You literally cannot book appointments at any other clinic unless they have you registered with a personal number. Otherwise you're gonna have to trek to the reception with all your documents.
Initial consultation/visit to a health clinic: When you first arrive at a healthcare clinic you need to bring a valid ID (e.g., residence permit, drivers licence) AND passport. The clinic needs to register you within their own system and "create" a personal number for you. You can't do anything at the clinic without this personal number - it's a bit frustrating if you want to access healthcare at different clinics, but this is the process. You literally cannot book appointments at any other clinic unless they have you registered with a personal number. Otherwise you're gonna have to trek to the reception with all your documents.
Note: if you see a doctor or health professional for the same issue, e.g., psychological counselling sessions, you don't need to make a new claim form for each time you have a consultation. Simply attach the same receipts to the document or alternatively if you need to claim urgently, submit the form to your International Coordinator and continue giving them the receipts as they come through (which they will attach to your claim form in the system).
When you're sick but not that sick: call 1177, the national Swedish healthcare hotline where you'll be directed to a nurse or health professional. You describe to them your issues and they can give you recommendations of what to do, or recommendations for who to see if needed. Otherwise, just stay in bed, read, stay hydrated by drinking lots of tea - and rest until you feel better, even if it takes you like 2 weeks (which it did in my case but it was just a common cold virus which was fine).
When you want to speak to a healthcare professional in person:
Vårdcentralen Getingen offers drop-in visits with no appointments. You will need to press the second buzzer on the ticket machine located on your right when you walk in, before a receptionist will call you up and book you in to see a nurse when they are available. This clinic was recommended to me by the nurse on 1177.
To contact Vårdcentralen Getingen, call: 046-17 72 00
Vårdcentralen Getingen offers drop-in visits with no appointments. You will need to press the second buzzer on the ticket machine located on your right when you walk in, before a receptionist will call you up and book you in to see a nurse when they are available. This clinic was recommended to me by the nurse on 1177.
To contact Vårdcentralen Getingen, call: 046-17 72 00
When you need to see a doctor (i.e., get a refill for prescription medications AND/OR a referral for another health specialist (e.g., psychologist)):
Vårdcentralen Halsa offers out-of-hours care. This clinic offers "emergency appointments" the same day when you call: but you have to (or it's just strongly recommended that you) call in the morning. I called at 08:00 and was in the "phone queue" for 20 minutes until a nurse answered.
In general, you can book appointments over the phone. Just voice what your needs are and they will set up an appointment with a doctor. Unfortunately, however, there is sometimes a long waiting period before you can see a doctor for matters such as a prescription re-fill (1-2 months). Keep this in mind if you require a doctor's appointment.
To contact Vårdcentralen Halsa, call: 046-280 57 00
Vårdcentralen Halsa offers out-of-hours care. This clinic offers "emergency appointments" the same day when you call: but you have to (or it's just strongly recommended that you) call in the morning. I called at 08:00 and was in the "phone queue" for 20 minutes until a nurse answered.
In general, you can book appointments over the phone. Just voice what your needs are and they will set up an appointment with a doctor. Unfortunately, however, there is sometimes a long waiting period before you can see a doctor for matters such as a prescription re-fill (1-2 months). Keep this in mind if you require a doctor's appointment.
To contact Vårdcentralen Halsa, call: 046-280 57 00
Special Note for Australians: you can use your Medicare card at all Swedish medical centres when receiving treatment to get a discounted fee the equivalent of what you would pay back in Australia due to an agreement between both countries. Be firm if you are refused (advise from the International Desk) - and you'll get your way :)
Dental Care:
Dental care is not covered under the Swedish Medical Insurance. Even for regular Swedes, dental care is much more expensive than regular medical care. In the case of emergency, i.e., when a patient experiences acute pain, you might be covered. Planned care, for instance, a dental check-up, is not covered under the insurance.
If you want to get a dental check-up (I am 110% in support of preventative health care), I was recommended to the Dental School in Malmö: Tandvårdshögskolan - where senior dentistry students, supervised by a professional dentist/professor supervise their work.
The number I was given to call if you want to access this specific service is 040-665-84-28 (which is different to the one listed on their website).
If you have a fear of visiting the dentist (and would prefer a professional rather than a student), the lovely person at the International Desk recommended her own dentist (Ola Frelin) at St Petri Dental Care. If you tell them about your fears and concerns, they will be very considerate towards your feelings and needs, so I hear.
To contact St Petri Dental Care, call: 046-121-400
Psychological Health:
If you need help during semester, there's always the Lund Student Health Counselling. When you book an appointment and they ask for your personal number, simply enter: YYYYMMDD-0000. The professionals will understand that you are an exchange student and aren't allocate with a "real" Swedish personal number.
If you want to set up (less expensive + ongoing) counselling sessions, Lund School of Psychology offers a service similar to Malmö Dentistry School, where students of psychology and their supervisors work with clients through various therapy practices.
Note: you must organise your counselling sessions with the department of psychology before semester begins - they do not take clients during the semester.
To contact the school of psychology / enquire for more information:
Dental care is not covered under the Swedish Medical Insurance. Even for regular Swedes, dental care is much more expensive than regular medical care. In the case of emergency, i.e., when a patient experiences acute pain, you might be covered. Planned care, for instance, a dental check-up, is not covered under the insurance.
If you want to get a dental check-up (I am 110% in support of preventative health care), I was recommended to the Dental School in Malmö: Tandvårdshögskolan - where senior dentistry students, supervised by a professional dentist/professor supervise their work.
The number I was given to call if you want to access this specific service is 040-665-84-28 (which is different to the one listed on their website).
If you have a fear of visiting the dentist (and would prefer a professional rather than a student), the lovely person at the International Desk recommended her own dentist (Ola Frelin) at St Petri Dental Care. If you tell them about your fears and concerns, they will be very considerate towards your feelings and needs, so I hear.
To contact St Petri Dental Care, call: 046-121-400
Psychological Health:
If you need help during semester, there's always the Lund Student Health Counselling. When you book an appointment and they ask for your personal number, simply enter: YYYYMMDD-0000. The professionals will understand that you are an exchange student and aren't allocate with a "real" Swedish personal number.
If you want to set up (less expensive + ongoing) counselling sessions, Lund School of Psychology offers a service similar to Malmö Dentistry School, where students of psychology and their supervisors work with clients through various therapy practices.
Note: you must organise your counselling sessions with the department of psychology before semester begins - they do not take clients during the semester.
To contact the school of psychology / enquire for more information:
- Email: psykoterapimottagningen@psy.lu.se
- Phone: 046-222-91-24
If you want more information, see the Lund University Health Care page here.
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