Social worker

What does a social doctor do? – Tasks and work environment

A social doctor works at the intersection of medicine, social services, and societal issues. The role often involves identifying and analyzing social factors affecting health, such as substance abuse, mental health issues, and social vulnerability. Tasks include investigations, coordination with other professionals and authorities, and advising on preventive measures. Social doctors are usually employed within regional or municipal authorities but can also work at the national level or in research environments. The work environment is characterized by high complexity, varying pace, and high demands on collaboration, especially in situations where interventions must be coordinated among multiple actors.

Salary development over time

The salary for social doctors has shown a steady upward trend over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 86,400 SEK per month, increasing to 92 200 SEK in 2023. By 2024, the average salary has risen further to 93 600 SEK, representing a total increase of approximately 8.3% over the period. This development reflects a continued high demand for specialist competence in social medicine and increased requirements for qualified collaboration between healthcare and social services. The market is characterized by a shortage of experienced social doctors, which helps push up salary levels and creates competition for expertise. Salaries remain high and are expected to continue developing positively as the need for social medical expertise increases.

Social doctor salary – comprehensive overview

• Average salary: 93 600 SEK/month
• Lowest salary: 84,600 SEK/month (male, private sector employee)
• Highest salary: 110,600 SEK/month (male, government sector)
• Hourly wage: 563 SEK
• Women earn: 92 900 SEK/month (98% of men's salary)
• Men earn: 94 300 SEK/month
• Regional differences: Salary levels may vary depending on region and sector

Education and qualifications

To work as a social doctor, licensure as a physician with specialist training, often in social medicine or a related field, is required. The educational path is long and demands both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. Supplementary courses in public health, epidemiology, and social medicine are often advantageous. Collaboration and communication with other professionals are central, making further training in leadership or cooperation models valuable.

• Medical education: 5.5 years of basic training + internship (AT)
• Specialist training: 5 years in social medicine or a related area
• Licensure: Swedish medical license required
• Further training: Courses in public health, epidemiology, or social medicine
• Recommendation: Experience working with social services and authorities is advantageous

Common benefits and compensations

Social doctors often have access to benefits such as extra vacation, wellness allowances, professional development grants, occupational pension, and the possibility of remote work for administrative tasks. Some employers also offer further training, supervision, and free healthcare within employment. Compensation for on-call and standby duties occurs in certain regions.

Competition and challenges

Competition for positions as a social doctor is high, mainly due to the lengthy and demanding educational path and the limited number of training places in social medicine. The profession demands high collaboration and communication skills, as social doctors often serve as a link between healthcare, social services, and authorities. There is a paradoxical situation where recruitment difficulties coexist with some staff turnover, especially in larger cities and regions. The workload can be high, and tasks complex, requiring both medical and social expertise.

Tips for those wishing to become a social doctor

To succeed as a social doctor, it is beneficial to combine analytical skills with genuine social engagement. Being perceptive and able to communicate effectively with patients and other professionals is crucial, as tasks often involve cross-organizational collaboration. A structured work approach and good organizational skills facilitate handling complex investigations and coordination tasks. Interest in public health and the ability to see connections between social factors and health are central qualities, along with patience and perseverance for long-term efforts. Gaining early experience in social services or related fields can be a clear advantage for establishing oneself in the profession.

Key facts about social doctors

• Education level: Specialist doctor degree (at least 10.5 years total)
• Work environment: Authority, region, municipality, or research environment
• Work form: Often consultative, investigative, and coordinating
• Demand: Great employment opportunities, increasing need
• Special skills: Public health, social medicine, and collaboration skills

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a social doctor, there are good opportunities to advance to leadership roles, such as medical manager within authorities, medical advisor in larger projects, or head of social medical units. Some choose to pursue research or further education in public health and social medicine. Forecasts from the Employment Service show very strong job prospects, with demand expected to grow further over the next five years. However, there is a paradoxical recruitment situation where difficulties exist alongside some staff turnover, especially in larger regions. Currently, there are 375 vacant positions for specialist doctors, indicating a robust job market for social doctors.

Frequently asked questions about social doctors

• What does a social doctor earn?
  - A social doctor has an average salary of 93 600 SEK per month, with variation depending on experience, sector, and region.
• How does one become a social doctor?
  - The path involves medical education, licensure, and specialist training in social medicine or a related field.
• Are there salary differences between men and women?
  - Yes, women earn 92 900 SEK on average (98% of men's salary), while men have an average salary of 94 300 SEK.
• What benefits are common for social doctors?
  - Common benefits include extra vacation, wellness allowances, professional development, occupational pension, and sometimes remote work options.
• What is the job market like for social doctors?
  - The job market is very favorable with great opportunities for employment and an outlook of increasing demand.
• What qualities are important for a social doctor?
  - Analytical skills, teamwork ability, social engagement, and good communication are central qualities.