Alexandra Wermelin, doctor and doctoral student at Storuman's Hospital:
"My job is related to the old provincial doctors."
"The best thing about my job is that I get to meet all kinds of people at all stages of life, from babies to the elderly," says Alexandra Wermelin.
Alexandra Wermelin works as a specialist in general medicine at Storuman’s Hospital, one of seven health care cottages in Södra Lappland, which together with the Centre for Health in Glesbygd (formerly Glesbygdsmedicinktcenten), was appointed by WHO Europe as a demonstration platform for advanced primary care in sparsely populated areas.
The hospital – a health centre that houses an emergency care unit with eight places of care, X-rays and its own laboratory – is manned 24 hours a day.
"Working as a doctor at the hospital is the most rewarding and varied job you can have. If you are publicly interested, this is as close as you can get to the old provincial doctors, says Alexandra, who is 41 years old and has her roots deeply rooted in the municipality of Sorsele, where she lives in the village of Blattnicksele along with her husband and their three children in a house overlooking the pristine Wonderfish.
A fantastic work
Alexandra grew up in the village of Lillseleburn and attended school in nearby Blattnicksele before continuing her schooling in Sorsele and high school in Storuman. After working in elderly care and in her mother’s catering company, she took the step to Umeå and the doctor’s line. After completing her training with AT service in Storuman, she has served for 1.5 years as a general practitioner in Storuman with a PhD student service.
Alexandra is proud of the work they do at Storuman’s Hospital. Although they cannot do as much as the old provincial doctors, patients can be taken care of in place, both in terms of the final stages of life, rehabilitation and observations.
"We have the opportunity to provide a lot of care, even if the resources are not infinite. I am proud of that. Then there are disadvantages, like the economy of the region, but the work itself is amazing.
Research and teaching
As a doctoral student in medical pedagogy, focusing on the rural medicine track, she devotes parts of her working time to research and teaching, both remotely and on site in Umeå and Storuman.
"Another good thing about the job is that we have the sparsely medicine track. This means that medical students from Umeå can do some of their training here in Storuman. Two students per semester can choose to come here from semester four onwards. They receive clinical teaching with us, which is my second favorite work. It also relates to my research area on sparsely populated medicine.
"Sure it will be very puzzling with three small children, recreational activities and emergency services, I drive many miles per year. But the commute isn’t a problem for me, and it’s a habit and then I think it’s worth it to do different things and live where I want.
All hospitals in the hinterland have similar tasks, and the job is both challenging and varied.
"I really recommend anyone who can, not only doctors but also nurses, nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and curators, try to work in such a place. It is very rewarding to work on a small device where you can do a lot.
Quality of life and community
The property in Sorsele combines a rich working life with a rich leisure time. In addition to security and proximity to nature, there is cultural life and service within easy reach.
The family is happy to travel on longer and shorter trips whenever possible and usually fly from Lycksele or one of the coastal towns of Luleå, Skellefteå or Umeå. Or simply take the car through Sweden to meet friends.
I have never had any thought of moving from here. During the training, it was necessary for a while, but I like the best here. I like to live next to the river and follow the seasonal shifts with different water levels, ice, dog sled and people passing by. It feels great to have nature outside the window.
Alexandra, who had a nice upbringing at home in the village where she and her brother built shackles in the woods and played with friends, believes that the quality of life is difficult; the children get to grow up in safety near both nature and society, the service is personal, and although some things require little planning – such as going on adventure baths or going to fine restaurant – considering the benefits of cheap accommodation.
Here you can have a really good standard of living at a good price. We wouldn’t be able to afford an equivalent accommodation in Umeå. When you are not borrowed from your ears, you are free in a different way.
She has always enjoyed the village community where you know and help each other. She comes in to inclusion, thinks about whether it also applies to people who move in, and lands in that if you’re just open and pleasant, you’ll be automatically included. Alexandra is very social and prefers home friends at dinner than staying in the woods, but is happy to pick berries and fungi. The cooking interest is big, but preferably she wants to travel, meet new people and see new places.
But the best thing is to come home!
———-
Text: Monica Wiksten Gideonsson
Photo by Madeleine Rinman
