The Medicinska studierådet Pedagogical Award goes to pedagogical developer
“Joakim is for many an anonymous figure on the programme, but those who know him know of the incredible work he puts into creating the best possible education for us students”, writes Pedagogiska studierådet.
Hello there, Joakim Svartheden, pedagogical developer at the Faculty Office for Medicine and Pharmacy. You have been awarded Medicinska studierådet’s pedagogical award Inspiriet, an accolade given to a person who has made a positive impact on the Medicine Programme, but who is not necessarily a teacher, supervisor or physician.
How did you receive the news, and how did it feel?
“I received the news at the Medicine Programme Committee’s June meeting when the student representatives announced this year’s laureate. For me, an award from the students is the finest recognition you can get, and of course, I felt both honoured and a bit proud.
“But I’m also moved, especially by the word ‘anonymous’. I am not anonymous to the programme management or the teaching staff but, I am to the students. There are many here who work tirelessly behind the scenes to contribute to the well-being of our students and, by extension, to the healthcare of tomorrow. Colleagues whom students rarely or never come into contact with. It feels a bit like this award is for all of us.”
What will you be working on next?
“I’m particularly dedicated to working on the new six-year, directly licensing medicine programme, and the first students are halfway through it, so there’s still much work to be done before everything is in place. Right now, I’m mainly busy creating a handbook for examinations in the programme and producing an online training course for supervisors who interact with our students during their on-site training (VFU).”
What are you most looking forward to developing in your role?
“I’m looking forward to being involved in the development of the final semester of the programme. It will be a very intense semester where representatives from most medical specialities collaborate to create activities where students practise clinical reasoning, diagnosing, making decisions, initiating treatments and so on. I’m not a physician myself so it’s very stimulating for me as well. Like most of the work.”
What issues within the new medical programme do you (the students) think are most important to continue working on?
“That teachers, students, employees in the healthcare region, and others jointly find ways to ensure that our medical students are ready – and feel ready – to work as licensed physicians, already upon graduation. This is something new in Swedish healthcare.”
Ebba Burman
Medicinska studierådet’s motivation for Inspiriet 2024
‘Joakim is for many an anonymous figure on the programme, but those who know him know of the incredible work he puts into creating the best possible education for us students. Joakim’s work with the new six-year medicine programme should be particularly highlighted, where he has put a lot of effort into reaching out with information to all students through, for instance, HippoSocrates. His commitment to us students is visible and really shines through when you hear him talk about the next initiative. Joakim has undertaken placements within various operations to learn new pedagogical approaches and travelled throughout the region to inform about the new medicine programme. Joakim is truly a person who deserves to be celebrated and has undoubtedly performed outstanding services for us students, therefore he deserves the Inspiriet.’