Dybdelæring, tverrfaglighet og samskaping – en prosessuell studie av samarbeid mellom IT- og tjenestedesignstudenter

I denne artikkelen presenterer vi funn og erfaringer fra et tverrfaglig samarbeid i bachelorstudier ved Universitetet i Sørøst-Norge, mellom første års IT-studenter ved IT-utdanningen og tredje års tjenestedesignstudenter ved økonomi- og ledelsesutdanningen. Våre mål med samarbeidet var å bidra til dybdelæring for studentene, samt gi dem erfaring med tverrfaglig samarbeid slik de vil erfare i arbeidslivet. Vi har observert samarbeidsprosessene underveis, og foretatt uformelle samtaler med IT- og tjenestedesignstudenter fra to årskull og til sammen fire ulike klasser. Erfaringene fra samhandling er blandede. Mange studenter rapporterte godt læringsutbytte og dybdelæring, mens andre var mer kritiske til hva de fikk ut av det tverrfaglige samarbeidet. Koronasituasjonen med stengte campus og omlegging til digital kommunikasjon og samarbeid bidro i stor grad til blandede resultater. Vi avrunder artikkelen med å presentere et sett læringspunkter for lignende samarbeidsprosjekter i høyere utdanning

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

Bioeconomy, productivity and sustainability. Case study of the Faroe Islands

As the pressure on the world renewable biological resources grows, the focus on the bioeconomy gets more and more important. The purpose of this thesis is to gain an in depth understanding of exactly what a bioeconomy is. In order to gain the in depth knowledge required for the thesis a case study methodology will be utilized to map the renewable biological resources available in the Faroe Islands as well as economic activities. Also some productivity measures will be discussed along with sustainability. The willingness to make the transition to a bioeconomy is evident, but there are still barriers

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

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

BACKGROUND: Substantial mass migrations to the Scandinavian countries have made them heterogeneous and multicultural societies. Migration has also influenced the workforce, especially the healthcare system that has had to accommodate a culturally diverse population. This qualitative study aimed to explore nurses’ experiences in caring for patients with an ethnic minority background. METHODS: Focus group interviews with a total of 21 nurses were conducted. Thematic analysis was performed on the transcribed and translated interviews. RESULTS: The findings of this study revealed three major themes: various experiences concerning language barriers and the use of interpreters, the impact of religious and cultural values, and caring for patients with an ethnic minority background is professionally interesting but demanding. CONCLUSIONS: Caring for culturally diverse patients offers both challenges and opportunities to enhance cultural competence and cultural sensitivity among nurses. Various culturally divergent needs of patients such as family visits, food preferences, expression of pain, and gender sensitivity are interlinked and depend on effective communication during encounters with nurses and the healthcare system at large

Future Opportunities for Bioeconomy : Focus on the West Nordic Region

This final report provides an overview of bioresources in the West Nordic region focusing on Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Greenland, their utilisation and future opportunities based on green growth. The report provides good basis for strategic identification of beneficial projects in the region. Based on the results, a specific action plan has been formed consisting of four main actions; 1. Create a West Nordic Bioeconomy panel, 2. Establish an interdisciplinary Centre of Excellence (CoE) for the West Nordic region, 3. Arctic bioeconomy II – Project focusing on opportunities in biotechnology and 4. Program focusing on “The Blue Bioeconomy”