Meet Håkan Skenhede: Global Educator in Patient Handling Principles
With over 30 years of hands-on experience in patient handling across the globe, Håkan Skenhede has established himself as a respected and sought-after speaker in healthcare training. From Sweden to Japan, Canada to Australia, Håkan has delivered education and insights to professionals in hospitals, nursing homes and homecare settings across more than 20 countries.
More Than Just Techniques: A Focus on Principles
At the core of Håkan’s approach lies a powerful philosophy: principles over techniques. While techniques can vary from place to place or situation to situation, principles are universal. They provide the foundation for understanding and adapting movements based on each unique patient’s needs, whether active, passive or presenting challenging behaviour.
By teaching principles rather than prescribing rigid techniques, Håkan empowers caregivers to think critically, act safely and adapt creatively. His teaching includes examples with and without equipment, and always with a strong emphasis on real-world relevance.
A Unique Journey: From Martial Arts to Patient Handling
Håkan’s journey began in 1978 when he took up Jiu Jitsu but not the traditional kind. His instructor, Kurt Durewall, taught a unique version of self-defence based on principles rather than painful techniques. Durewall’s method was designed to be effective even when an opponent could not feel pain, such as in cases involving drugs or psychosis. This approach, deeply rooted in respect and understanding, laid the groundwork for Håkan’s future work.
By 1986, Håkan was teaching others at Durewall’s educational centre, training occupational therapists, physiotherapists, nurses and ergonomists to become trainers themselves.
Teaching Is My Life and Passion
“I believe that if someone truly understands the principles of patient handling, they will be able to create effective techniques themselves,” says Håkan. “More importantly, they will be able to adapt those techniques to any situation they encounter.”
He places particular importance on the use of minimum force, a key concept that benefits everyone involved:
For caregivers: Less physical strain, fewer back injuries and longer careers
For patients: More autonomy, less discomfort and greater dignity
For healthcare organisations: More cost-effective solutions that align with long-term goals
Signature Workshops and Focus Areas
Håkan’s educational portfolio is as diverse as his audience. His training sessions, workshops and seminars can be tailored to specific client needs. Some of his favourite topics include:
Balance: “To have balance is easy. To keep it is harder.” Using body awareness exercises, Håkan teaches how to maintain balance under dynamic conditions.
Natural Pattern: Understanding and working with the body’s natural movement patterns makes patient handling intuitive and effective.
Challenging Behaviour: When dealing with “negative active” users, it’s vital to use humane, respectful and low-force methods.
A Global Perspective
Teaching internationally presents unique challenges. What’s accepted in one country may be restricted in another. Despite these differences, Håkan’s principle-based methods transcend borders. The common thread: every healthcare professional wants to move patients safely, respectfully and effectively.
“It’s an honour and a joy to meet professionals from so many countries and share smart, thoughtful solutions. Teaching is not just what I do — it’s who I am.”
Lisclare and Håkan: A Valued Collaboration
At Lisclare, we’re proud to have an ongoing collaboration with Håkan Skenhede. Our team has been fortunate to work alongside Håkan at numerous workshops and events, benefiting first-hand from his deep expertise and engaging teaching style.
Earlier this year, several members of the Lisclare team had the opportunity to be personally trained by Håkan in a range of his manual handling principles and techniques. It was a transformative experience that left a lasting impact on how we think about patient movement and care.
You can read more about that memorable training session in our previous blog post.
