Group practice in Sweden.

Abstract

The Swedish design of group practice (Praktikertjänst) is described. After 25 years there is now a model which suits most dentists in Sweden. Almost 50 per cent of the private practitioners belong to the corporation. It is owned by practitioners and operates as a conventional free enterprise business. The practitioner owners of the company are at the same time employed in it. The corporation consists of 1900 dentists, 675 physicians and their assistants. The basic aim is to give the dentist more time for the provision of dental care. Thus the corporation helps the dentist with most of the financial and administrative work arising in the practice. The central office also gives a variety of services, eg continuing professional education; financial help for research; advice and discounts on purchases; private loans; and vacation rentals. Furthermore, the corporation provides a pension fund, an insurance department and a publishing house for scientific medical and dental literature. Compared with practitioners working outside the Praktikertjänst its employees have great advantages.