As SVT Nyheter previously reported, many doctors in primary care experience an unreasonable workload and several testify about how they endanger patient safety on a daily basis.
According to Magnus Isacson, who is chairman of the Swedish Association for General Practice, SFAM, it is common today for doctors to be responsible for between 2,000 and 2,500 patients, which he believes is too many.
On behalf of the government, the National Board of Health and Welfare has worked to produce a national guideline for how many patients a district physician should normally be responsible for, and today the authority presented the figure of 1,100.
- It feels very nice that we get support from the National Board of Health and Welfare in this, says Magnus Isacson, chairman of SFAM.
Now the regions must draw up a plan for how to achieve this goal.
"This is a victory"
The Swedish District Medical Association, DLF, also welcomes the news.
- I am very happy that for the first time in Sweden's history, the National Board of Health and Welfare puts its foot down and comes up with a concrete figure, says Marina Tuutma, chairman of DLF.
The guideline value of 1,100 inhabitants per doctor is a very good start to regain the faith in the future that many, both patients and doctors themselves who work at health centers, have lost.
Sofia Rydgren Stale, chairman of the Swedish Medical Association fills in:
- This is a victory we will celebrate.
Now it is up to the regions to make it a reality, she says.