
Graduate school to make Norrbotten take the lead in Personcentred and Integrated Care
18 April 2023
Graduate school to make Norrbotten take the lead in Personcentred and Integrated Care
Luleå University of Technology and Region Norrbotten are starting a joint graduate school in Personcentred and Integrated Care. The background is a reform of Swedish healthcare that involves a new way of working based on the needs and basis of the individual. Eight doctoral students will explore questions that become pieces in the puzzle to solve to today's challenges and the healthcare of the future.
“The doctoral students in our graduate school will contribute to the national transition to Personcentred and Integrated Care. Basically, it's about the demographic challenge, fewer people need to be able to care for more elderly people. Norrbotten’s demographic situation is similar to Japan's, with an aging population. This is why we in our region need to take the lead in the transition. How will we keep our welfare? We need to find new solutions. This is where research will contribute a part of a puzzle where every piece is valuable,” says Karin Zingmark, Professor of Nursing at Luleå University of Technology.
The transition to Personcentred and Integrated Care is an agreement between the Swedish government and The Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR). The concept includes a changed new way of working, focusing on the person. Care will be coordinated and adapted based on the individual's needs and conditions, with Primary Health Care as the hub.
The Regional Council recently made the decision to start the graduate school in collaboration with Luleå University of Technology in early 2024. It will be based at the Department of Health, Education and Technology at Luleå University of Technology. Preparations are underway with the recruitment of director, creating collaboration agreements and collaboration with senior researchers for the design of research projects. Four of the doctoral students will be employed by Region Norrbotten and four by Luleå University of Technology.
Creating research environment
In addition to the eight doctoral students, the graduate school means a deepened collaboration between Region Norrbotten and Luleå University of Technology with a joint research environment.
“The collaboration means that the research has direct and concrete significance for the transition that reform entails for health care. The goal is not only to get more PhD’s in the health sector, but to create something larger through collaboration. We want to create knowledge that benefits the region, the University and the whole of Norrbotten,” says Gunilla Isaksson, Professor of Occupational therapy at Luleå University of Technology.
“The graduate school will develop our networks and increase our knowledge within Personcentred and Integrated Care and the transition we need to make. Furthermore, it gives employees opportunities to advance within academia and thus strengthens the region's scientific competence,” says Johanna Törmä, Head of research and education at Region Norrbotten.
Positive experiences of collaboration
There are positive experiences of a joint graduate school from before, then within the broad concept of health. In 2013–2015, eight doctoral students defended their dissertations.
“It provided an academic boost for both organizations and the PhD’s went on to jobs where they could make an impact. Now we have an even clearer focus, Personcentred and Integrated Care, where research will be able to contribute to the transition,” says Karin Zingmark.
Contact
Gunilla Isaksson
Karin Zingmark
- Visiting lecturer
- 0920-493500
- karin.zingmark@associated.ltu.se
- Karin Zingmark
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