Well-being for Individuals and Families in Nursing (IndFamilyNurs)

The aim of the research group is to develop evidence-based consistent practices in order to promote the well-being of individuals and families in different nursing environments. The research is multidisciplinary and leverages digital innovations to improve the effectiveness of care.

Our research is particularly focused on the vulnerable patient groups including infants and children, as well as parents in need of support in their different life situations.

IndFamilyNurs-tutkimusryhmän kuva

Research group information

Contact information

Research group leader

Research group description

Research focus areas include:

  • Promoting family orientation; developing instruments for the evaluation of family- and people-centered care and increasing the involvement of parents/relatives in the care
  • The impact of the care and nature environment on the well-being; emphasizing the diversity of northern nature and its production virtually for different target groups
  • Assessment and management of pain and its related emotions; developing and testing multimodal assessment tools (considering also related concepts, such as fear, stress, and anxiety), evaluating the effectiveness of nonpharmacological methods and increasing the competence of staff through training interventions

Research materials include qualitative and quantitative data based on the interviews, surveys, documents and physiological parameters collected from patients, their families/relatives, and healthcare providers.

The group uses especially the methods of intervention studies (RCT), systematic reviews with meta-analysis, qualitative study with content analysis and developing psychometrically validated instruments. In addition, it is possible to use cohort study and theory development and testing.

Research group

Societal impact

The goal of our research group is to produce research evidence that enables the development of consistent practices and multidisciplinary innovations to promote family-orientation and the effectiveness of care in nursing environments. The results have the potential to reduce inequalities, promote justice and increase participation in care for different patient and population groups.

Our goal is to support the sustainable development to ensure healthy life and wellbeing for all ages, also including patients in hospital. Of particular interest are vulnerable children and their families.

The research project integrates knowledge from different disciplines in an innovative way to improve the quality and effectiveness of care. Collaboration is established with actors of the social and health service system, local companies, and researchers in various fields nationally and internationally.

Keywords

Family, Child, Wellbeing, Nursing, Family-centered care, Nature, Technology-based/digital interventions, Pain, Stress, Fear, Anxiety, Participation, Pain assessment, Nonpharmacological methods