Why do Norwegian nurses leave the public health service to practice CAM?

Accepted version of an article published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 15 (2009), 147-151This paper explores a number of issues associated with the recent increase in nurses choosing to leave the Norwegian health care system in order to become independent practitioners of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). The paper suggests that in Norway, nurses perceive medical hegemony continues to persist. Nurses perceive restrictions in their ability to develop their professional roles and status. CAM would appear to offer many nurses, the opportunity to develop their clinical skills in an autonomous, egalitarian and more holistic environment

Konkurrentanalyse : DSG International plc

Denne siviløkonomutredningen gir en analyse av elektronikkdetaljisten DSG International plc, som konkurrent for den norske aktøren Expert ASA. Etter svært tøffe konkurranseforhold i sitt hjemmemarked Storbritannia, har DSG i løpet av de siste 10 årene gjennomført en kraftig ekspansjon til det europeiske kontinentet. I Norge er de representert gjennom kjente navn som Lefdal og Elkjøp. Det norske markedet er som det britiske kjennetegnet av høy rivalisering og lave marginer, og også Expert har derfor startet sin ekspansjon til Sverige, Danmark og Estland. Dersom de fortsetter å ekspandere er det stor sannsynlighet for at de vil møte DSGs datterselskap i flere marked i fremtiden. Utredningen gir en presentasjon av hvordan elektronikkbransjen har utviklet seg de siste årene, i Norge og i Europa. De ulike markedene hvor DSG har virksomhet presenteres også, og det blir gitt en vurdering av hvordan DSG har tilpasset seg utfordringer i ulike marked. Internasjonalisering kan utføres på flere måter, og jeg har derfor valgt å gi en presentasjon av fordeler og ulemper knyttet til oppkjøp versus nyetablering. Videre følger en analyse av inngangsstrategier som DSG har valgt, og Experts erfaringer med oppkjøp. Oppgaven avsluttes med en diskusjon av DSG som en norsk, skandinavisk og europeisk konkurrent, og anbefalinger i forhold til hvordan Expert bør tilpasse seg dette og utviklingen i markedet

Exploring aspects of significance when arranging dog visits to home-dwelling patients: An action research approach

Municipalities have been encouraged to collaborate with volunteers to facilitate social and cultural activities for patients. Dog visits have been primarily arranged as a group activity in nursing homes. The aim of the present study was to pilot a dog visit program for home-dwelling patients delivered through a collaboration between nurses and volunteers, and to explore aspects of significance when arranging such visits. The project used an action research approach. The action was the implementation of regular dog visits to home-dwelling patients for 6 months, through collaboration between nurses and volunteers. The empirical investigation included respective focus group interviews with nurses and volunteers. Transcribed data were analyzed thematically. Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines were followed. Influence of motivation, vulnerable relationships, and the perception that various factors contributed to a ‘comprehensive puzzle’ were aspects of significance when arranging dog visits to home-dwelling patients. One crucial factor in the conduction of the dog visits was having coordinators for both the nurses and volunteers. Future dog visits should emphasize thorough mapping of patients and equipages, and appropriate information flow through collaboration between coordinators for nurses and volunteers.publishedVersionPaid open acces

Å være pårørende når alternativ behandling tas i bruk i “kampen mot kreft”

Being relatives when alternative therapies are used in the "fight against cancer"CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) is prevalent among cancer patients. Relatives are central to support and care for the patient but experience challenges and stresses in this role. The purpose of this study was to gain knowledge of how it is experienced to be relative of people with terminal cancer who seeks CAM. Five qualitative semi-structured in-depth interviews of relatives and nine biographies written by relatives were analyzed using systematic text condensation. Results showed that relatives experienced to fight for hope in a given battle, not knowing who you can trust, well-meant pressure from others, putting the sick in the center, a double balance between quality of life and life extension, and mixed feelings in retrospect. The language was characterized by war metaphors. In order to provide better support to relatives it is important that health workers have insight into the paradoxical and ambivalent experience of hope for healing and simultaneously fear of death

Beyond challenges and enrichment: a qualitative account of cross-cultural experiences of nursing patients with an ethnic minority background in Norway

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Navigating the care between two distinct cultures: a qualitative study of the experiences of Arabic-speaking immigrants in Norwegian hospitals

Background During the past decades, there has been an increase in the number of immigrants to European and Scandinavian countries. This has challenged the health-care systems, which cater to the needs of patients despite their cultural and linguistic barriers, in these countries. Most studies on this topic have focused on the perspectives of health-care providers in delivering their service. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how hospitalized Arabic-speaking patients experienced their interaction with the Norwegian health-care system. Methods In-depth interviews with 20 participants and researcher’s participant observation were conducted to explore the idiosyncratic details and ascribed meanings that foreign-born patients attach to their everyday experience of the Norwegian health-care system. Thematic analysis was performed on the transcribed and translated versions of the in-depth interviews. Results The findings of this study indicated three interrelated core themes. Firstly, there exist challenges in understanding and being understood because of linguistic and cultural differences of newly migrated patients. Secondly, some patients missed the holistic and direct care available in their home countries. Finally, patients were satisfied with the Norwegian health-care system because of its compassion, care, and respect toward them as well as advanced health-care equipment. Conclusion Arabic-speaking patients in Norwegian hospitals experienced long waiting times and linguistic problems. Hence, a better and specialized interpreter service may resolve problems emanating from communication within the system and the subsequent delays in treatment. Compassionate care and the feeling of respect and love is the core strength of the Norwegian system as perceived by the patients.publishedVersio

Nurse-led consultations reinforced with eHealth technology: a qualitative study of the experiences of patients with gynecological cancer

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Possible effects of a free school meal on school environment : The School Meal Intervention in Norway

Evidence suggests that a free school meal can improve children and adolescent diet, social environment, concentration, and school performance. This study aimed to investigate possible effects of a free, healthy school meal among students that usually eat packed meals on behavioral issues, inactiveness, self-efficacy, school enjoyment and classroom environment. A school meal according to the dietary guidelines was served to students in the intervention group (n=55) for one year. A control group consumed packed meals as usual (n=109). Students (10-12 years) responded to a questionnaire at baseline and after one year. We used linear regression analyses and did not find significant effects of a free school meal on behavioral issues (B= 0.01, p 0.86), inactiveness (B= -0.05, p 0.51), self - efficacy (B= -0.04, p 0.52), school enjoyment (B= 0.11, p 0.19) or classroom environment (B= -0.07, p 0.26). Methodological limitations might explain our lack of findings.publishedVersio

Food as medicine in psychiatric care: Which profession should be responsible for imparting knowledge and use of omega-3 fatty acids in psychiatry

Accepted version of an article in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 17 (2011), 107-112. Also available from the publisher: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2010.08.001The effect of omega-3 fatty acids on depression is well documented. The purpose of this study was to determine if and how food is used as medicine in psychiatric care, especially how omega-3 fatty acids are used as a supplement in the treatment of depression. This is a pilot study with a qualitative design using questionnaires and interviews among nursing students, tutor nurses and psychiatrists. Three main categories emerged: 1. Nutrition is considered important but few evaluations are made. 2. There was a lack of knowledge of the effects of Omega 3. 3. There was an unclear divisions of responsibility among health personell. A change in knowledge paradigms and clarification of responsibility is called for if food-as-medicine is to take its true place in psychiatric care. It is also necessary to include CAM and holistic perspectives. Further research is needed to determine why health education and health workers do not focus on nutrition therapy in psychiatric care. Further research is also needed to reveal both the patients, the GPs and the CAM practitionaires knowledge and attitude to the use of dietary supplements

Being an ethnic minority nursing student- A meta synthesis

Background Our society is characterized by a general globalization and has become more culturally diverse. This diversity is mirrored in nursing education. Purpose The purpose of the meta-synthesis is to identify and synthesize data from primary, qualitative studies of ethnic minority nursing students' experiences in a nursing program. Method Electronic databases, Medline, Embase, and CINAHL, were searched for studies published in English or Nordic languages from 1980 to February 2020. Results The search generated 1070 unique citations, of which 19 articles met the inclusion criteria. The included studies had a total sample size of 255 students, age range 19–50 years. The participants originated from Asia (65), Africa (53), South America (45), and Eastern Europe (17). Seventy-five students' origins were unknown. The meta-synthesis revealed that participants' experiences were characterized by four main themes: to understand and be understood; the importance of supportive relations; motivated but emotionally distressed; and conflicting cultural expectations. Conclusion Ethnic minority nursing students experienced challenges related to language, socialization, cultural awareness, and relations with educators and other students. To meet the students' needs and increase their graduation rates, educational institutions and supervisors should work to promote and facilitate their integration and provide a good learning environment.publishedVersio