A future as a general medical practitioner in Three general medical practitioners in Southern Denmark

regionsyddanmark.dk Maj 2016 General medical practice recruitment Basic principles and facts

Our recruitment team is available for dis- Contact details for the Basic principles of the health care Facts cussions and any questions you may have, recruitment team system in Denmark • Norm: 1,600 patients per GP and Gitte Kristensen will be your contact Project Manager Gitte Kristensen • All residents in Denmark have equal • Region of Southern Denmark person throughout the process. After 14 +45 7663 1439 access to publicly financed health care • 788 GPs months’ employment, Gitte will continue as [email protected] services, regardless of employment and • 383 GP practices/clinics your sparring partner and help you contact financial and social status • 90% of the population have at least general medical practices in view of finding Secretary Marianne Blom Petersen • Health is a public responsibility – most 1 contact with a GP within a year employment. +45 7663 1391 services are financed, planned and opera- • 7 contacts per citizen, 6.5 – daytime, [email protected] ted by the Regions 0.5 outside daytime • The financing of health care services Recruitment Consultant derives mainly from taxation Charlotte Godsk Hansen • The system is characterised by decen- [email protected] tralisation of responsibility to politically elected councils

GP – main facts in short • Own private medical practice/clinic (solo practice, partnership practice, collabora- tive practice or sharing practices) • Monitored by the Region and the GPs in cooperation • Family doctor • Gatekeeper • No co-payment • Number and distribution of GPs according to a plan • Financing the GPs: 75% fee for service, 25% capitation payment • Average income for a Danish GP: Practice/clinic turnover approx. DKK 1.7 million. Net turnover = DKK 0.8- 1.0 million before tax.

2 3 Christiane and Jürgen Christiane and Jürgen Why Denmark? We will help you! we quickly acquired any additional skills we And then we saw this advert from Denmark needed (e.g. pregnancy check-ups, which in the medical journal: free three-month in- German GPs do not do). Christiane (47) and Jürgen (48) Genzwürker The individual groups of doctors and health tensive language course with a full doctor’s are general medical practitioners. In 2012 insurance companies were too caught up salary from day one. Afterwards just under Everyone addressed each other informally. they moved with their three children Teresa in their disputes. But what could we do? a year of training at a Danish medical tutor Everyone was friendly and the atmosphere (8), Franziska (10) and Moritz (13) from practice with a chance to get to know the was incredibly relaxed. The food was deli­ South Germany to South Denmark. They Who in the world is good at Danish? health system. In addition, more language cious. We learned our first Danish word: tell how this came about: The magical word emigration kept coming lessons during working hours. hyggelig. up in conversations with equally frustrated Why Denmark? colleagues. Everything without obligation or debt – you We had made a decision: we would sell our To begin with, the most important reason could give notice any month and go back practice in Germany, let out our house and for us was the feeling that general practitio­ Of course, we first thought of a German or home if you did not like it. They didn’t do give it a try. At the beginning of 2012 we ners are valued and welcomed in Denmark. English-speaking country. General practi- things in half measures. moved to Denmark. Here we would be able to work without the tioners can work almost anywhere. When relentless competitive pressure which we we had a look at house prices and costs Now or never! We decided to fly to Denmark Don’t speak English! faced as general practitioners back in of living in Switzerland or the education for an introductory weekend and have a First it was the three-month language Germany. system in Great Britain, we quickly came to look. course. A small group with two to four doc- a sobering conclusion: with three children tors from different countries. It was Danish In mid 2011, we read an advertisement from at primary school age, life is not easy in Everyone was there! from morning to night. With the teacher; the Region of Southern Denmark in the either of these countries. The Danes are good at organising. They with each other or interactively at the com- German medical journal. They were looking had spared no effort to make us feel at puter. No swotting of vocabulary. Just go for general practitioners for Danish medi­ Occasionally we had read newspaper arti- home and enable us to immediately speak ahead and speak! We laughed a lot – and cal practices. At that time we felt like we cles about Scandinavian countries. What to all the people we were interested in swore a lot. And no English please! Here were in a dead end job back home. most struck us were terms such as ‘work- meeting: The regional ‘sponsor’ who would we only speak Danish! life balance’, ‘common sense’ and ‘child-­ be paying our salary. The employee at the We were both in our mid forties and had friendly’. That sounded really good, but job centre, who would help with paper work, After a couple of weeks the feeling of been working in our own medical practice what good was that to us in South specialist approval, car registration, etc. relief: it works! You can still learn another for eleven years, but the work made less Germany? The language teacher. The owner of the language, even if you are over 40. Danish and less sense as the years went by. In ad- tutor practice. The person responsible for patients are helpful and patient when you dition to the overwhelming bureaucracy, Sweden – to us that meant IKEA. Norway: further education, who was to make sure initially have problems with the Danish we were particularly bothered by the gene­ lonely fjords. Finland: winner in the Pisa language. ral lack of respect for the work as a general survey. And Denmark? We did not even practitioner, which in Germany is regarded have any preconceived ideas about this as second rate compared with highly tech- country. nical specialised medicine. And what about the language barrier? You We were fully aware that an improvement cannot work as a doctor without speaking could not be expected in the German medi­ the local language. And how would our cal system within the next ten years. children cope at school?

4 5 Christiane and Jürgen Christiane and Jürgen

Then you only see two patients per hour. own practice with two things in mind: first Here people do not expect a general prac- The West Coast After just under a year, we were capable of of all, we would like to work together in titioner to work day and night and take on ‘Our’ beaches and sand dunes are fantastic working in a practice. the same practice as a couple, as we had additional work over the weekend. even when we have to share them with previously done in Germany. Secondly, we countless tourists each year from Easter Kids quarrel in all languages had many years of experience with having Patients are seen at the general practice onwards. Up here, there is room for every- Our children (8, 10 and 13 years old) our own practice, but we were not yet con- between 8.00 and 16.00. After that time one. learned Danish even faster. fident enough to run a practice in Denmark and over the weekend a doctor is on call on our own. We therefore wanted to share whom the patients can phone in an emer- We have always wanted to live by the sea. We live in , where all three children a practice with an experienced Danish col- gency, when their own doctor has closed. We do that now, and every day we rejoice go to the international school. Subjects are league who for some time could continue It is generally accepted that also a general in this luxury. For example eating oysters taught in English, and at the same time to ‘take us by the hand’. practitioner is entitled to family life and we have collected ourselves. Fishing. The they receive intensive Danish language spare time. Danish patients are used to children can go horseback riding. In the instruction. In addition, they also have With the help of the Region of Southern keeping appointments, which makes it summer we swim in the sea almost every lessons in German or Spanish. After com- Denmark, we found both in , approxi­ easier to structure the workflow at the day. Often, the wind is westerly. Real wind! pleting primary and lower secondary mately 15 km from Esbjerg. We quickly practice. You have to dress properly for that. school, the children can choose between came to an agreement with our senior a Danish and an international upper secon­ colleague and in August 2013 bought into There is no medical insurance here. The It is easy to get away from Esbjerg. It takes dary school. his practice. bills for the medical services provided are three hours by car or train to get to Copen- not sent to the patients but directly to the hagen. Only 45 minutes to Billund interna- At the recreation centre or during after We are very happy with this decision and relevant region, which pays promptly and tional airport. Overnight ferry to England. school care they soon came into contact hope that our senior partner will continue reliably. But we are not the least bit interested in with Danish children. Sometimes we can to work a couple of days a week with us leaving permanently. barely hear a difference when our children after his planned retirement next year, like In Denmark, the hierarchies are very flat, talk to the neighbour’s children, and we are many elderly doctors in Denmark do. both in general practices and at hospitals. A music venue, cinema, pubs and a large even pleased at times to hear them argu- Nurses independently look after a great aquatic centre can also be found here. And ing in Danish. Work and life deal of the patients. In the breaks they all museums. And a shopping centre. We like Every now and then when we look back sit together and eat and talk. the openness and space. And the friendly Self-employed once again at our working conditions in Germany, we people. After 14 months of employment as a gene­ regret that we did not come to Denmark ral practitioner, we started looking for our much earlier. We have arrived in Denmark.

6 7 Assistance from Newcomer Service Fanø Municipality

There are many big decisions to make when Fanø is a small island with 3200 inhabitants. thinking of buying into a medical practice. Contact The island of Fanø has a lot to offer. It is a Contact Esbjerg Municipality’s Newcomer Service is Newcomer Service safe and vibrant small community with a Newcomer Service therefore available to assist you with the Residential Coordinator Pia Enemark strong presence of culture and history, Residential Coordinator many practical issues involved in moving. Esbjerg Municipality and a unique nature. From Fanø you reach Jacob Kristian Bay Torvegade 74 Denmark’s fifth largest city Esbjerg by Fanø Municipality As Denmark’s energy headquaters, the DK-6700 Esbjerg ferry in just 12 minutes. Skolevej 5-7 staff is used to helping many new residents Phone: +45 2047 3206 DK-6720 Fanø to find their feet, and you are always wel- E-mail: [email protected] On Fanø you can, first and foremost, find Phone: +45 7666 0645 come to contact them for help with issues peace and tranquility in a beautiful setting. E-mail: [email protected] such as: The island, thus, has a very special relaxing • finding a job for your partner Time for the family – advantages atmosphere that fit both families with • obtaining a general idea of the housing of a life as a general practitioner in children, bonvivants and people who seek You are always welcome to contact them market Esbjerg Municipality great experiences in the nature. for help with issues such as: • obtaining information about day care, It is important to have time and energy • finding a job for your partner schools and education for life at the end of the working day, and The island has a school, shopping facilities, • obtaining a general idea of the housing • identifying the best leisure/cultural for families with children, in parti­cular, restaurants, a cinema and lots of concerts market activities flexible working hours are very important. and festivals. • obtaining information about day care, • building professional and social networks It is therefore worth noting that general schools and education practitioners in Esbjerg Municipality are Fanø Municipality’s Newcomer Services is • identifying the best leisure/cultural met with considerable goodwill when they available to assist you with the many prac- activities approach the Samarbejdsudvalg (consul- tical issues involved in moving. • building professional and social networks. tation committee) for permission to share their practice.

8 9 Partnership practice Lægehuset Fanø

Fanø is the northernmost island in the The medical centre is new and modern. Wadden Sea and part of the Wadden Sea We are a non-hierarchical organisation with National Park, which is on the UNESCO a focus on development, where profession- World Heritage list. alism, influence and social support take pride of place. Fanø is an island with a long-standing shipping tradition. It is also Denmark‘s We have many years’ experience and are second smallest municipality. The island’s good at training doctors and nurses. We beautiful scenery includes a bathing beach, also offer a positive, sociable work environ- the to the west and the Wadden ment. Sea to the East. The towns of Nordby and Sønderho with their attractive old houses You can look forward to experiencing a are extremely picturesque. Every year, high level of professionalism and social around one million tourists visit the island, involvement. which offers all the usual modern conveni- ences. We look forward to meeting you.

The medical centre is located in Nordby, You can read more about Fanø on the two minutes’ walk from the ferry. It takes website htpp://visitfanoe.dk 12 minutes to reach the island by ferry from Esbjerg. The ferry departs two to Read more about the medical centre on three times per hour. www.lægehusetfanø.dk

CONTACT: Lægehuset Fanø Vestervejen 1C DK-6720 Fanø

Phone: +45 7516 3222 E-mail: [email protected] 10 Partnership practice Jacobi Lægerne in Varde

As a Residential Coordinator I will be Jacobilægerne are based in Varde in a new Varde is a great place to bring up a family. able to assist you, if you are interested in Contact and attractive medical centre boasting six There are plenty of things to do here on moving to Varde Municipality. I can assist Newcomer Service consulting rooms for doctors and six for the western edge of Denmark. Unspoilt you in the process of finding a residence, Residential Coordinator Dorthe Lund nurses as well as a large laboratory. nature is right on your doorstep, and Varde finding a job for your partner, and make Varde Municipality hosts plenty of events and cultural activi- contacts to childcare and school facilities. Bytoften 2 We are currently five doctors caring for ties in addition to having a large number of DK-6800 Varde approximately 10,000 patients with an active associations and plenty of options I arrange contact to homeowners who want Phone: +45 7994 6183 average spread. We employ five nurses, for pursuing sport and other leisure activ- to rent out their house or to local housing E-mail: [email protected] three secretaries and two bioanalysts in ities. associations regarding apartment rentals. addition to two cleaners and a caretaker. In addition, I also offer you a guided tour so you will be able to view the home rentals. No matter where you choose to settle Our values are based on providing a high The tour will be organized in cooperation in Varde Municipality, I will assist you in degree of professionalism with an empha- with you, and will be based on your desire assigning an English speaking mentor sis on education and ongoing professional for residence, interests and family needs. family who can help answering the ques- training as well as clear, detailed instruc- tions you may have about daily life in tions. It is also important to us to provide Feel free to call or write me, so we can plan Varde Municipality, furthermore they will good working conditions for everyone. an inspirational guided tour that fits you introduce you and your family to the local and your family’s needs and interests. community and to the cultural and spare time activities that are offered in Varde Municipality.

CONTACT: Jacobi Lægerne Kenneth Damgaard Ringkøbingvej 38 DK-6800 Varde Phone: +45 7522 3400 E-mail: [email protected] 12 13 Ærø Municipality Partnership practice Ærø Municipality Lægehuset Skærbæk Ærø is a safe place to bring up a family. We have excellent day-care facilities, and Contact every child is guaranteed a place. We have Carl Jørgen Heide No matter what direction you come from During summer, the island teams with a municipal school in Marstal and a private Ærø Municipality when arriving at Ærø, you will discover holidaymakers from far and wide and independent school in Ærøskøbing; we Ærøskøbing Havn 4 the island’s unique charm long before the offers a cornucopia of activities. During have a swimming pool and many sports DK-5970 Ærøskøbing ferry docks at the quay. The island has an winter, on the other hand, the island is a facilities across the island as well as fitness Phone: +45 6252 1300 undulating landscape with enough hills to peaceful place, where you can recharge centres in several locations. E-mail: [email protected] challenge any cyclist and rewards the visi- your batteries and rediscover your peace tor with spectacular views from the top of of mind; where you have time to be human On Ærø you are safe around the clock, all every hill, from where you can see a varied and enjoy the harmony the island offers. year round. Crime is almost unknown; in Ærø has its own housing consultant, who coastline alternating between child-friend- fact, statistically Ærø is the most peaceful will help you settle in to your new life on ly beaches, sand dunes and tall cliffs However, even during quiet times the municipality in the whole of Denmark. the island. Simply write to [email protected], dropping vertically into the sea. You find island is far from devoid of life. Ærø has and you will be well on your way to a life on friendly towns varying between the busy more than 150 different associations and Accommodation is easy to find. Just tell us one of Denmark’s most attractive islands. Marstal with its lively harbour life, romantic a rich artistic and cultural life with music what you want, and we will find it. Perhaps Our housing consultant can also help your Ærøskøbing, which takes you back a cen- that ranges from the Royal opera and clas- a small fisherman’s cottage in a narrow spouse with information about vacant jobs tury, and charming Søby with the island’s sic concerts at Søbygaard Manor to jazz alleyway in Marstal? Or a house with vast on the island. largest employer, the shipyard Søby Værft. and accordion. vistas of the Baltic? What about a farm- house with several hectares of land so you If our guest house is available, you can stay Ærø bears traces of both its fascinating In terms of shopping, the island covers can fulfil your dream of keeping horses, there for up to four months while taking maritime history, as described in Carsten most needs with large supermarkets and a goats and chickens? Tell us what you want, your time to find the right place to settle. Jensen’s great saga “We, the drowned”, wealth of specialty shops. and we will find it for you – at a price that and the reign of the German dukes. Both will make your heart sing! We look forward to welcoming you to the have contributed to the island’s breadth of island. view and vision along with a unique toler- ance towards everything and everyone.

14 15 Solo practice Hans Bertelsen The Region of Southern Denmark

General Practitioner Hans Bertelsen, I work from 8.00 to 14.00 all weekdays. The Location of the 3 tutor practices Ærøskøbing phones close at 14.00 Monday to Thursday I am a general practitioner with many years’ and at 13.00 on Friday, whereupon calls will experience. I look forward to tutoring you be redirected to whichever doctor is on and assisting you with your professional duty on the island at the time. The island’s retraining to become a Danish general six general practitioners take turns to be practitioner. on duty until the following morning at 08.00. The shifts are normally quiet with- Varde I am 63 years old and for many years had a out much work: perhaps 4–5 phone calls, practice in Fredericia. In 2014, I decided to 3–4 consultations and one visit, if any. We settle on Ærø. generally get a good night’s sleep and are able to work full time the following day. My practice is located in Ærøskøbing, where I have rented a couple of large, bright and In my view, Ærø has a lot to offer, but it is Fanø sunny rooms on the first floor of the hospi- also possible to live on Funen and work on tal. The entire floor has been converted to Ærø. House prices here are low. Personally, a medical centre with plenty of space for I have bought a second house on Ærø, three doctors, doctors under training, a where I live when the weather is bad and nurse and auxiliary staff. when I am on duty. Buying a house here is no more expensive than renting one. Currently, the floor accommodates two general practitioners (in two practices) and I live in Dyreborg, a small coastal village on a temporary practice run by the region. Funen between the Little Belt and Faaborg Fjord. When weather permits, I commute to Ærø It is extremely convenient to be located Ærø with a fast motorboat. I arrive in Søby, so close to the hospital. Our patients can from where I drive my own car to the clinic quickly be seen to/diagnosed at the hospi- in Ærøskøbing. My commute to the clinic is tal on the ground floor if the need arises. less than one hour.

CONTACT: Hans Bertelsen Sygehusvejen 18, 1. sal DK-5970 Ærøskøbing

Phone: +45 6252 1177 E-mail: [email protected] 16 17 Xxxxxx FACTS

FACTS – Recruitment of foreign physicians Your practice tutor will instruct and evaluate Illness you on an ongoing basis. You will be expec­ If you are taken ill, you will receive your ted to review the objectives described and salary in accordance with the rules speci­ We will help you make an easier start in Your pay slip will be delivered to the the competences required for the general fied in Section 5 of the Danish Salaried Denmark. so-called e-box system. With e-box, you practice main training programme together Employees’ Act. have a secure, electronic letter box where with your practice tutor. In cooperation with WorkInDenmark and you can receive and store the documents Absenteeism the municipality, we offer you: you would otherwise receive by regular Holidays All absenteeism must be reported imme­ • Assistance with getting a work permit, a mail. If you have not earned the right to paid diately to the practice and to Gitte residence permit, a licence, etc. holidays in 2015, the Danish holiday rules Kristensen via [email protected] • Assistance within finding a place to live Criminal record specify that you will only be entitled to two • Assistance with establishing contact to You must be able to present a satisfactory weeks holiday without pay until 30 April Termination public institutions, schools, banks, insu­ criminal record. 2017. Holidays are to be held following Your evaluation/introduction residency rance companies, professional associa­ agreement with your practice tutor. may be terminated by the Region of tions, etc. Training plan Southern Denmark if you do not satisfac- • Language classes for your spouse/part- When you start in the GP practice, your From 1 May 2017 until the expiry of your torily complete the training plan or you do ner and children of a certain age practice tutor will work with you to prepare employment period: not acquire the necessary professional and • Assistance with job search for your a training plan for your evaluation/intro- If you are engaged with effect from 1 Sep- linguistic competences. spouse/partner, if required. duction residency based on your back- tember 2016, you have earned the right to ground and qualifications in light of the 8 days paid holiday in the period until the You must be able to document satisfactory The employment objectives described/competences required expiry of your employment period. progression in relation to the acquisition of The position is a 14-month evaluation/ for general practice. competences, cf. the training plan, and you introduction residency with a working week Holidays are to be agreed with the practice. must pass the language tests. of 37 hours. Courses If, during the period, you take more than If your practice tutor and you find that you 8 days holiday, any extra days will be The Region of Southern Denmark may ter- The gross salary is DKK 46,191.20 per need a specific course, e.g. in gynaecology, deducted from your salary. minate your employment by three months’ month (before tax). As set out in the collec- please ask Gitte Kristensen, [email protected] notice. tive agreement, you qualify for 16.49% for approval. If your course participation is It is recommended that you and your prac- pension, one third of which is your own con- approved, Recruitment General Practice tice tutor plan your holidays quite soon If you wish to terminate your employment, tribution from your salary. The other two will pay for the course. You will still receive after you have started your work here. you may do so by giving one month’s no- thirds are contributed by your employer. your salary, while you have time off to par- ALL holidays must be reported to Gitte tice to take effect at the end of a month. On the salary, 12.95% holiday allowance is ticipate in such a course. Kristensen via [email protected] earned that can be paid out to you later. If your practice tutor finds that you need Your salary will be paid into a so-called a focused period, e.g. in the gynaecology NEM-account. A NEM account is a regular department of the South-West bank account – an account you already Hospital (Sydvestjysk Sygehus), you and have and which is used by public authori- your practice tutor will plan this period and ties as the account to which your salary contact the hospital to see if and when this is transferred. will be possible.

18 19 Region of Southern Denmark Damhaven 12 . DK-7100 Vejle Tel. +45 7663 1000

www.regionsyddanmark.dk/wm400664 14371 - Grafisk Service, Region Syddanmark - 05.2016

POST GRADUATE MEDICAL TRAINING – GENERAL PRACTICE University 6 years ▼ Basic-education (KBU) 1 year (6 + 6 month) Combinations: Medicine-general practice Medicine-psychiatry Medicine-surgery General practice-surgery Medicine-oncology General practice-urology ▼ Permission to work independently by the Danish Patient Safety Authority ▼ Introduction to general medical practice/general medicine (GP) 6 or 12 month ▼ Specialist training as a GP = 4,5 years

PHASE 1 PHASE 2 General practice 6 month General practice 6 month (same place as Phase 1) Hospital training Medicine, Gynaecology/obstetrics PHASE 3 Surgery, Paediatrics, Psychiatry General practice 12 month Totally 2,5 years ▼ Authorization as a specialist in general medicine / GP by the Danish Patient Safety Authority