Research areas

Integrated nursing science

Nursing science at the university has a clear profile, defined as nursing from a patient perspective and is an independent and neutral subject witha humanistic and scientific direction. More specific the integrated nursing science is characterized by:

A clear focus on patients
A focus on nursing work which aims to promote well-being of the patients and to relieve suffering, especially from an existential point of view
A focus on research which results in long term development of care through interventions and which also respond to demands to apply results into evidence-based practice
An integrated co-operation between different perspectives which result into different professions coming together with their special competences to meet the needs of patients and their close ones

Research at VHB is done on four areas:

Nursing science with focus on existential care
Research in nursing science has focused on how and what it means for quality of life to live with sickness and illness. Research focuses on developing general knowledge with multiple areas of application.
Nursing science with focus on nursing didactics
Nursing didactics is a nationally unique research area for the University of Borås. Three central themes direct this research: everyday life where stories have a central place, combination of theory and nursing and reflection.
Nursing science with focus on nursing ethics
Research into ethics within the nursing science has been developed during the past three years.
Nursing science with focus on specific care sector
At University of Borås research has been focused on specific care sectors where the most dominating area of research is the prehospital area.

Research projects

Ambulance Safety
A study of the possibility of increasing the precision of emergency service centre operators in stroke diagnosis
A study of variability in the time elapsed before medical care is received for acute pain/discomfort in the chest
Care after a cardiac arrest
Computerised assessment systems
Consequences of dispatching rescue services and police in cases of suspected cardiac arrest
Correlation between the prescription of medication and cardiac arrest out-of-hospital
Creation of an online registry throughout the chain of care
Electrocardiographic communication between the ambulance care and the receiving hospital in cases of suspected acute coronary syndrome [1]
Ethical and existential issues on healthcare in a combat environment To provide care in such an environment poses ethical dilemmas for medical personnel, particularly of a prioritization nature, where personnel may need to make choices between different people who are in need of care. Similarly, the requirements of defence tactics can come into conflict with medical priorities.
Evaluation of early pre-hospital oxygen therapy in cases of suspected acute coronary syndrome with regard to pain relief and prognosis
Evaluation of pre-hospital care in Västra Götaland in cases of acute myocardial infarction
Evidence-based SOS Alarm prioritization of acute pain/discomfort in the chest
HMV The project aims at investigating and developing knowledge concerning ventilator-dependent people's (adults, young people and children) and their families life situation. Professional caregivers' perspective is also considered.
How is the ambulance personnel affected emotionally by their work? Work in the ambulance medical care involves meeting patients with different problems, diseases and conditions. The work is often heavy, both physically and mentally, with an uncensored environment and with no given solutions. Could it be that ambulance personnel over the years become cold and have trouble talking about how they feel or do they, on the contrary, become more open and emotional in front of their close family and friends and their patients?
Innovative environments
Is heart rate an equally accurate marker of stress as salivary cortisol? There is evidence that an accelerated heart rate is linked to increased illness. Ambulance personnel appears to have an increased post-traumatic risk. The study "Is heart rate an equally accurate marker of stress as salivary cortisol?" tests the hypothesis that the heart rate of ambulance personnel correlates to cortisol in saliva.
LINDRA – To relieve pain and anxiety - an intervention study in the ambulance services
Living with asthma
Measuring quality of life after a cardiac arrest
name A cooperation project concerning children's rights and fundamental needs when their parents or relatives suffer from severe diseases or injuries, substance abuse or psychological issues.
Patient room interior This intervention project studies the effects of a special designed ICU patient room concerning light, sound and interior design. Could these aspects have a positive outcome on patients', staffs and next of kins' comparisone to an ordinarily designed ICU patient room? The aim is to study if the intervention room can have a positive outcome concerning recovery, health and well-being.
Quality of life after a cardiac arrest - development of instruments
Reflecting teams
Studies of the use of a defibrillator in cases of ventricular fibrillation before the ambulance arrives
Suspecting and treating Severe Sepsis in the ambulance care (MISSIS)
Sustanable care development
Technology dependent children and their families' life conditions The development of modern technological medical and nursing care have made it possible for children with disability and cronic illness and diseases to survive. However, many of these children become dependent on technology, for example home mechanical treatment.
The patient's experience of well-being during ambulance care
The significance of early care for the prognosis after a stroke

Finished research projects

ACTION
LINDRA – To relieve pain and anxiety - an intervention study in the ambulance services
Living with asthma
Prehospital competence centre