What hospitals can learn from Sahlgrenska University Hospital’s approach to research, sustainability, and regional collaboration
Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, Sweden, is one of Northern Europe’s largest university hospitals and a leading centre for highly specialized care, research, and innovation. Serving as the main university hospital for western Sweden, Sahlgrenska combines advanced clinical care with a strong focus on sustainability, education, and international collaboration.
Coordinating the full IHF membership of the ~20 hospitals in the Region Västra Götaland since 2024, Sahlgrenska University hospital is actively engaging with the global healthcare community to strengthen learning and exchange. Their experience offers valuable lessons for hospitals and healthcare systems worldwide.
Integrate research, education, and clinical care
Sahlgrenska University Hospital sees research and innovation as central to improving healthcare outcomes. As a major teaching and research institution, the hospital combines highly specialized clinical services with education for medical students, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
Boubou Hallberg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital’s Hospital Director describes their philosophy as: “today’s research will be tomorrow’s clinical treatments”. By embedding research and innovation directly into clinical operations, they aim to accelerate the translation of new knowledge into patient care. Hospitals can strengthen long-term healthcare quality by integrating research, innovation, and workforce development into everyday practice instead of treating them as two separate things.
Strong regional collaboration across hospital networks
In the broader regional healthcare system of Västra Götaland, hospitals and medical centres work closely together to serve approximately 1.8 million people. Within this network, Sahlgrenska acts as the main centre for highly specialized and national-level care, including areas such as transplantation and genomic medicine. This coordinated structure allows regional hospitals to share expertise, strengthen referral pathways, and ensure patients can access advanced care when needed. They are a great illustration of the importance of collaboration between hospitals of different sizes and specializations to improve system-wide resilience and efficiency.
Sustainability part of everyday healthcare operations
Sustainability is deeply integrated into Sahlgrenska’s strategy and operations. The hospital approaches sustainability from both ecological and social perspectives, embedding it into organizational goals, workplace culture, and clinical practice. Boubou Hallberg emphasized that sustainability is part of the hospital’s ambition to remain one of Europe’s leading university hospitals.
Examples of their work in sustainability includes encouraging sustainable commuting, improving the responsible use of materials and pharmaceuticals, and strengthening equity and workplace rights for healthcare staff. Their experience shows how sustainability can become part of organizational culture through consistent integration into decision-making, workforce engagement, and long-term planning.
International collaboration to strengthen leadership and innovation
For Sahlgrenska University Hospital, being part of the IHF supports learning, innovation, and leadership development. For them, global exchange is essential for broadening perspectives, strengthening a growth mindset, and maintaining the institution’s position as a leading university hospital.
The hospital also sees international engagement as an opportunity for younger healthcare professionals to connect with peers worldwide and contribute to the global healthcare community. Participation in events such as the World Hospital Congress helps the organization stay connected to emerging developments in sustainability, healthcare delivery, and innovation.
Looking ahead
Sahlgrenska University Hospital plans to continue strengthening its international engagement through the IHF and participation in future World Hospital Congresses. The hospital is particularly focused on advancing sustainability and highly specialized care while continuing to contribute research and expertise to the global healthcare sector.
By combining research, regional collaboration, sustainability, and international exchange, Sahlgrenska University Hospital demonstrates how university hospitals can help strengthen both local healthcare systems and the broader global health community.
