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Research Programme
Introduction
Nursing Science research is one of the focus areas of the University of Kuopio
and the Faculty of Social Sciences. The main purpose of the research of the
Department of Nursing Science is the enhancement of health and quality of life.
The research monitors the progress of the discipline, developments in society
and the definitions employed in educational and health policies. The
department's research forms part of the University of Kuopio's research into
health, environment and wellbeing. Our research also follows the Faculty of
Social Sciences' research profile, the strategy of which is based on wellbeing
and health (http://www.uku.fi/yhttdk/english/research.shtml), and as a result is
focused on the following core areas of the faculty’s research: 1) health and
wellbeing of children, youth and families; and 2) service structures and
leadership in health care. Our wide-ranging and international research projects
are based on both nursing science and multidisciplinary knowledge.
The objectives of the research
The aim of the research of the Department of Nursing Science is to yield both
real time information for the development of healthcare education and
theoretical-methodological knowledge for the groundwork of the discipline.
Information is obtained about the health of individuals, families and
communities and the relationship between culture and health. This research
concentrates on Finnish and multicultural health and nursing cultures and on
developing interventions in health promotion and clinical nursing contexts. A
further aim is to supply information about basic values and knowledge in nursing
and health promotion, the development of health service structure, and the
impact of nursing and health promotion activities. New working methods and
action models are being developed for health promotion, education and clinical
nursing. One focus within research projects is also to evaluate the
effectiveness and quality of nursing. The aims of the research are shaped by the
basic values of science and the promotion of individual health and quality of
life.
National and international co-operation
The Department of Nursing Science is engaged in a wide variety of domestic and
international research co-operation. National partners include universities,
polytechnics, research institutions and social and health care organizations.
The Academy of Finland and the Ministry of Education require the Department to
provide high quality post-graduate education in Nursing Science in co-operation
with the national departments of Nursing Science and multidisciplinary
international post-graduate schools.
The Department also enjoys strong international research partnerships in
Europe, North America, Russia and Asia (universities, research institutions,
network co-operation.) Representatives of the Department also participate in the
research of the Transcultural Nursing Society, Sigma Theta Tau, WENR, WHO,
European Academy of Nursing Science, NASV and Global Institute of Nursing and
Health. International research co-operation is constantly being developed.
Research areas
Scientific research is conducted in both basic and applied scientific fields.
This research is directed towards the development of individual, community and
culture-based health promotion working methods and of action models and theories
and barometers for Nursing Science. The Department lays increasing emphasis on
evaluation research of clinical nursing and health promotion activities.
The main research areas of the Department of Nursing Science are:
- Health and wellbeing of children, youth and families
- Learning environments, learning and teaching methods: theoretical and
methodological development and evaluation
- Research into nursing leadership, management and health services.
RESEARCH PROJECTS WITHIN THE MAIN RESERCH AREAS INCLUDE:
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Health and Wellbeing of Children, Youth and
Families |
| a. |
Development of health promotion models and
methods:
ethical and methodological issues (Anna-Maija Pietilä)
- Development of early intervention models and methods:
children, working
population and families as participants in the research
- Ethical issues in health promotion and in health research
- Salutegenic approach in health promotion |
| b. |
Sense of
coherence, health
related quality of life and health choices
(Anna-Maija Pietilä) |
| c. |
Health promotion in different national and international
cultural communities: development of theoretical, methodological and
practical knowledge (Kerttu Tossavainen) |
| d. |
Pain assessment and care (Katri Vehviläinen-Julkunen)
Subprojects:
1) The influence of parents' Postoperative Pain Measure on children's pain
alleviation at home
(Päivi Kankkunen)
2) Development of pain assessment among non-verbal patients (Päivi Kankkunen) |
| f. |
MATTERS An international comparative study on maternity
services in transition to parenthood (Katri Vehviläinen-Julkunen) |
| g. |
Hope as a focus of research in health sciences (especially
in nursing science) (Jari Kylmä) |
| h. |
Multidisciplinary research on mental health promotion
(Merja Nikkonen ja Jari Kylmä) |
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Learning Environments, Learning and Teaching
Methods:
Theoretical and Methodological Development and Evaluation |
| a. |
Evaluation and development of theoretical and clinical
nursing education and working life actions: cultural comparison
(Kerttu Tossavainen ja Hannele Turunen)
Subproject:
Comparing the quality of placement learning opportunities and provisions:
British and Finnish pre-registration nursing students' and mentors'
pers-pectives (Hannele Turunen) |
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Research into Nursing Leadership, Management and
Health Services |
| a. |
Seamless service chain
(Tarja Suominen, Paula Asikainen
ja Ilmari Rostila) |
| b. |
Magnet hospital project
(Katri Vehviläinen-Julkunen, Merja Miettinen)
Subproject:
Nurse staffing and work environment (HELMI) research project 2003-08
(Pirjo Partanen) |
Updated 28.8.07 |
