Iceland
Summary (ref 1)
In Iceland anybody may treat but law restricts the scope of their activities. Chiropractors and osteopaths are regulated. A voluntary official registration scheme for those who practice CAM has been established.
Professionals and non-professionals
Legally regulated personnel
The Physicians’ Act (1988) regulates the requirements for practising medicine and the authorisation of medical doctors. Other laws and regulations regulate other health personnel. Chiropractors (1990) and osteopaths (2005) are authorised health personnel.
There are no restrictions regarding the use of CAM other than relating to harmful acts and serious diseases. When authorised health personnel practise alternative treatment within the scope of the health service, the legal rules of the health personnel applies. The authorities supervise all authorised health personnel.
Anybody may treat-
But some treatments are restricted to regulated personnel
CAM providers are allowed to provide health related services (CAM) regardless of their training and without previous authorisation. According the Physicians’ Act only physicians may use the title medical doctor, provide medical treatment, and prescribe medications (ref 2) .
In 2005 the Icelandic Parliament (Althingi) passed the Healers Bill and Healers regulation (ref 3) . The act establishes a voluntary official register for CAM providers. The objective of this new law is "to contribute to safety for those who seek and use healers’ health related services (CAM), and to ensure the quality of the services as far as possible". CAM Providers are not allowed to provide their services in cases of serious disease nor are they allowed to do any medical procedures or use harmful treatment. Health personnel only may practise the following:
- Medical intervention or treatment that may entail a serious health hazard.
- Treatment of communicable diseases that is hazardous to public health.
- Treatment of serious diseases and disorders.
This provision does not apply if the treatment takes place in cooperation with or in consultation with the patient’s physician.
The law contains requirement of confidentiality concerning patient information and requirements of current insurance for all CAM providers. Violations of the monopoly of performing medical procedures and treating certain diseases result in an offence.
Voluntary registration
The Healers Act establishes a voluntary official registration scheme for those who practise CAM. Proposed "Draft regulations on voluntary registration system for healers" describe the registration. The objective of this regulation is "to conduce to safety of those who seek or use healers’ health related services, and to ensure the quality of the service as far as possible". The register will include providers who have had a basic health education, have accomplished some practisal training under supervision, hold current insurance and are members of an approved organisation. Contrary to the arrangement in the other Scandinavians countries, there is a possibility in Iceland to become "registered" without being a member of an approved organisation if the provider fulfils specific conditions listed in the law. The "Federation of Icelandic Healers" will take on the necessary tasks for registration and maintaining the register. The register will be voluntary and providers will be self-regulated through their member associations.
Reimbursement
Public reimbursement is not available for complementary/alternative medicine (ref 4).
References
1. Ministry of Health and Social Security, Iceland 28.09.05.
2. Ot.prp. nr.27 (2002-2003) About Act relating to the alternative treatment of illness, ect. Health Department Norway.
3. Ministry of health and Social Security, Iceland http://brunnur.stjr.is/interpro/htr/htr.nsf/pages/lawsandregulations or http://www/landlaeknir.is
4. Ot.prp. nr.27 (2002-2003) About Act relating to the alternative treatment of illness, ect. Health Department Norway.
