Child and adolescent psychiatry in Sweden – from yesterday until today

Abstract

In Sweden, child and adolescent psychiatry developed from various fields of science, including pediatrics, pedagogics, psychology, psychiatry, sociology, and social welfare. The history is almost 100 years old, and there is a strong relationship to pediatrics. In 1951, it became a medical discipline of its own, and was, in 1956, an independent section within the Swedish Society of Medicine. In 1958 the first university chair in this field was located at the Karolinska Institute; today there are four chairs and increasing research. So far, 33 doctoral theses have been defended, some of which have international standing. By inheritance' from pediatrics, there has been a special interest in developing longitudinal prospective methods, using multidisciplinary cooperation and observation periods covering 10, 20, or 30 years. In May 1993, the Berzelius Symposium XXVI on “Mental and psychosocial adaptation in children – a longitudinal and prospective apporach” was arranged by the Swedish Society of Medicine to further support childpsychiatric research. Today, there are soon 350 specialists in the discipline, and a clinical organization with in- and out-patient departments in all the county councils throughout Sweden. Since the 1950 s every medical student has to take a special course (integrated in the course on pediatrics) and an examination in child and adolescent psychiatry. The general service program introduced in Sweden in 1972 includes internships in medicine for 6 months, surgery for 6 months, general practice for 6 months, and general psychiatry or child and adolescent psychiatry for 3 months. The training to become a specialist in child and adolescent psychiatry then follows a 5-year program including residency in psychiatry and pediatrics and a training in “basic” psychotherapy.

Key Words:

• Child and adolescent psychiatry
• Clinical organization
• Education
• History
• Research