SveReFo
On May 1, 1989, an association was founded with the primary purpose of serving as a shared forum for the professional groups working in rheumatology care in Sweden. The association’s working name was Interdisciplinary Rheumatology Forum, which at the first annual meeting was changed to Svenskt reuma forum (Swedish Rheumatology Forum). Similar interest groups exist in several Nordic countries as well as in England, the USA, and Australia.
In Sweden, the first initiative to form a joint interest organization was taken by Björn Svensson, rheumatologist in Helsingborg. In December 1988, he asked Ylva Lindroth, rheumatologist in Malmö, and Anna Engström-Laurent, rheumatologist in Falun, to explore the level of interest among other professional associations within rheumatology.
An initial exploratory meeting was held in Malmö, where the purpose and future activities of the association were outlined. Representatives from the Association of Rheumatology Nurses in Sweden (FRS), the Rheumatology Section of the Swedish Association of Registered Physiotherapists (LSR), now known as Fysioterapeuterna, the Rheumatology Section of the Swedish Association of Social Workers, the Occupational Therapists in Rheumatology/Soma Section of FSA, and the Swedish Society for Rheumatology then returned to their respective boards with the task of appointing two representatives each to the board of the Swedish Rheumatology Forum.
Since 2007, SveReFo has been a member of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR)/Health Professionals (HP).
Membership
All members belonging to the above-mentioned professional associations are automatically affiliated with the Swedish Rheumatology Forum without any additional fee. Other professional groups are also welcome—see the bylaws. To date, our activities have been funded through grants from the Ragnar and Lisa Stenberg Foundation via the Swedish Rheumatism Association.
The purpose of the association is to:
– Enable informal exchange of professional experience
– Facilitate contact between groups interested in similar projects
– Encourage research and development across professional boundaries
– Create financial conditions for interdisciplinary work
– Promote international collaboration
Activities
A scholarship aimed at promoting and developing both cross-professional collaboration and individual professional expertise within rheumatology care is awarded annually. In collaboration with the Swedish Society for Rheumatology and other interest groups, a national meeting is held each year to provide members with opportunities for education and exchange of experience. This takes place in the form of short presentations, poster exhibitions, invited speakers, and shared social activities, allowing informal contacts to be established both within and beyond one’s own professional association.
Its our intention that the activities carried out by SveReFo will stimulate and further develop team-based collaboration around the rheumatology patient.
The Board of the Swedish Rheumatology Forum