A broader perspective on Cardiology: clinical exchange in South Africa inspires new ideas

When asked what she brings back from the experience, her answer comes immediately.

“Perspective.”

One of the aspects that impressed her most was the strong emphasis on education and continuous learning within the cardiology department.

“Every day, staff members gathered for an hour of teaching. Professors, consultants and resident physicians discussed clinical cases and specialist topics together. Seeing how highly they prioritised education, and how everyone participated, was truly inspiring and incredibly valuable.”

While she recognises that the structure cannot simply be transferred to the Swedish specialist training system, the experience prompted reflections on how similar approaches might be adapted within the context of Sahlgrenska University Hospital.

Understanding Healthcare in a Different Context

Another experience that left a lasting impression was meeting a patient attending a follow-up appointment in the cardiology clinic.

The patient had left home at 2 a.m. to reach the hospital.

The physician Josefin was working alongside explained that patients are generally given a date for their appointment rather than a specific time. Because Tygerberg Hospital serves a vast geographical area, transport is organised centrally. Hospital buses begin collecting patients during the night, often starting their routes around 1 a.m., before returning patients home later in the day.

“It is remarkable that transportation is provided for people who might otherwise have no access to specialist care. At the same time, it is difficult to imagine that a routine follow-up appointment can take an entire day for a patient.”

Josefin has previously participated in healthcare projects at rural hospitals in Tanzania and Zambia through the non-profit organisation Scandinavian Doctors. The idea of undertaking a clinical exchange as part of her specialist training in cardiology emerged during an international event at Sahlgrenska University Hospital. In 2025, she received support from Sahlgrenska International Care, making it possible to complete an observership at Tygerberg Hospital.

High-Level Expertise Despite Limited Resources

During her first days in Cape Town, Josefin was struck by the high level of expertise she encountered. As her understanding of the healthcare system deepened, she also became increasingly aware of the challenges faced by the public sector. 
“I was working in a public hospital. The staff possess the same expertise, follow many of the same clinical guidelines and perform almost all the same procedures that we do at Sahlgrenska University Hospital. The difference is that they operate with significantly more limited resources.”

One example was transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), a procedure used to treat severe aortic valve disease.

“They perform TAVI procedures twice a month; despite long waiting lists and a level of need that is comparable to Sweden. We also have waiting times, but we perform several procedures each week.”

The contrast between public and private healthcare provision was particularly evident in emergency medical services. Patients relying on publicly funded ambulance services often experienced significantly longer waiting times, and not all ambulances were equipped with electrocardiogram (ECG) technology.

Learning Through Exchange 

Another difference she observed was the broader clinical role undertaken by resident physicians in South Africa.

“Resident doctors are often trained across a wider range of procedures than we typically perform during specialist training in Sweden. For example, they may independently perform coronary angioplasty (PCI) procedures and implant pacemakers, which are not currently part of my own clinical role.”

Looking back, Josefin considers the exchange highly rewarding.

“I felt genuinely welcomed and very well supported throughout my stay. My advice to others would be to undertake an exchange towards the end of specialist training, when you have enough clinical experience to make the most of the opportunity. It is also important to be comfortable travelling independently, as the local security situation requires a high degree of awareness.”

Building International Partnerships

Clinical exchanges are one of several ways in which Sahlgrenska International Care supports international collaboration, global health and sustainable healthcare development.

Through the partnership with Tygerberg Hospital and Stellenbosch University in South Africa, healthcare professionals from both organisations have the opportunity to share knowledge, experience different healthcare systems and build lasting professional networks.

The collaboration has been in place since 2023 and was further strengthened in March 2026 through a tripartite agreement between Sahlgrenska University Hospital, the Sahlgrenska Academy and Stellenbosch University. The agreement creates new opportunities for research collaboration, education and clinical exchange.

For Josefin Henrysson, the experience reinforced the value of looking beyond national borders.

“Healthcare systems may be organised differently and face different challenges, but there is always something we can learn from one another. That may be the most important lesson of all.”