Practices In Norway Research Articles

Pre-service Teachers' Digital Experiences through Digital Pedagogical Practices in Norway

Digital skills are one of the key competences outlined in The European Reference Framework of Key Competences for Lifelong Learning prescribed by the EU in 2006. Integration of digital tools and resources into the classroom results in more platforms for teaching and learning activities. Teacher training programmes prepare pre-service teachers with pedagogical competencies and skills necessary for their future practices. This paper shows that pre-service teachers could overcome the pedagogical challenges during COVID-19 teaching by updating their present and future classroom teaching strategies around digital literacy. To explore further how these new teaching circumstances are understood and reflected on by pre-service teachers, the researchers collected written reflections of 52 pre-service teachers in Norway using an open-ended survey about their digital integration experiences in their practicum. This paper offers analyses of the reflections inductively to reveal the teachers’ process of development of their classroom teaching strategies as influenced by new digitalisation-related experiences. The findings show low levels of digital integration according to the SAMR model but moderate to high levels of satisfaction among pre-service teachers of digital practices. In the light of these findings, this study offers pedagogical technological implications for teachers and teacher educators who work with teacher education curricula.

Revealing Medieval culinary practices in Norway: A first metabolomic-based approach

Revealing Medieval culinary practices in Norway: A first metabolomic-based approach

The child perspective within family intervention projects: a cluster-randomised study with a mixed methods design

ABSTRACT Family interventions have been introduced in several European countries as social inclusion measures for disadvantaged families. Compared with adult social work, in social work for families, social workers aim to utilise a whole-family approach; they follow up all family members, acknowledge multiple target areas and coordinate the services for the families. This cluster-randomised study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03102775) with a mixed methods approach analyses children’s involvement in family interventions and compares child-related effects of governmental (the HOLF model) and local family intervention practices in Norway. The data are based on a cluster-randomised study involving 29 Labour and Welfare offices and baseline and follow-up questionnaires for parents (N = 862). We conducted in-depth interviews with family coordinators to help us understand how children are involved and how their involvement may contribute to any improvements. While there were no effects of using the HOLF model compared with local family intervention practices, results indicate that the family intervention seems to contribute to increasing children’s involvement with welfare services and improving their access to welfare support. The interviews demonstrate the potential of a genuine whole-family approach, where children are directly involved in the family intervention practices. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03102775

From national activation legislation to local practices in Norway—Why the same law gives diverse practices

AbstractSocial policies are legislated nationally and implemented locally, and despite national attempts at vertical policy coordination, implementation varies. The aim of this article is to better understand variations in local implementation of national policies, emphasising, in particular, structural conditions. Our case is a legislative change in Norway that obliged municipalities to implement compulsory participation and conditionality for young recipients of social assistance. We conducted a comparative case study analysis in which, through 28 qualitative interviews, we compared six municipalities. We found that municipalities that have conceptualised compulsory participation as physical work and long hours in catch‐all programmes are also the municipalities that sanction through benefit cuts. The municipalities that were more reluctant to cut benefits were those with the least straining requirements in terms of content and scope. We discuss local variation in terms of local‐level path dependence, the size of the municipality and state supervision of municipalities.

Family involvement practices for persons with psychotic disorders in community mental health centres \u2013 a cross-sectional fidelity-based study

BackgroundFamily involvement for persons with psychotic disorders is supported by scientific evidence, as well as legal and ethical considerations, and recommended in clinical practice guidelines. This article reports a cross-sectional measurement of the level of implementation of such guidelines in fifteen community mental health centre units in Norway, and presents a novel fidelity scale to measure basic family involvement and support. The aim was to investigate current family involvement practices comprehensively, as a basis for targeted quality improvement.MethodsWe employed three fidelity scales, with 12–14 items, to measure family involvement practices. Items were scored from 1 to 5, where 1 equals no implementation and 5 equals full implementation. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, a non-parametric test, and calculation of interrater reliability for the scales.ResultsThe mean score was 2.33 on the fidelity scale measuring basic family involvement and support. Among patients with psychotic disorders, only 4% had received family psychoeducation. On the family psychoeducation fidelity assessment scale, measuring practice and content, the mean score was 2.78. Among the eight units who offered family psychoeducation, it was 4.34. On the general organizational index scale, measuring the organisation and implementation of family psychoeducation, the mean score was 1.78. Among the units who offered family psychoeducation, it was 2.46. As a measure of interrater reliability, the intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.99 for the basic family involvement and support scale, 0.93 for the family psychoeducation fidelity assessment scale and 0.96 for the general organizational index scale.ConclusionsThe implementation level of the national guidelines on family involvement for persons with psychotic disorders was generally poor. The quality of family psychoeducation was high, but few patients had received this evidence-based treatment. Our novel fidelity scale shows promising psychometric properties and may prove a useful tool to improve the quality of health services. There is a need to increase the implementation of family involvement practices in Norway, to reach a larger percentage of patients and relatives.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT03869177. Registered 11.03.19.

Introduction to special issue: Bordering practices in the social service sector – experiences from Norway and Sweden

ABSTRACT Following the 2015-peak of asylum-seeking migrants in Europe, asylum-policies have become increasingly restrictive. As bordering has become a prioritized issue among many European national governments, including in the Nordic countries, practices of bordering have also become more decentralised, diffuse and dispersed. This special issue set focus on such bordering practices as these are manifest in the social service sector. It draws on research conducted in Norway and Sweden and consists, besides this introduction, of seven original articles.Of particular focus is how social work, in its regulations and practices, are involved in the bordering of both the nation and the welfare state. Connecting insights from border studies – and related critical research – with social work research, the articles present empirical analyses of the dynamics of bordering practices among varying practitioners and in varying organizations, including legislators, courts, municipalities, street-level social workers and civil society organizations. The special issue as a whole also raises questions about the ethical and political challenges that emerge at the nexus of bordering and social service provision. In this introductory article, we provide an overview of the field of border studies and discuss how it relates to social work research. This serves as a conceptual foundation which we hope will enable critical reflections on the relationships between social service provision and bordering practices in Norway, Sweden and beyond.

Patients want their doctors’ help to increase physical activity: a cross sectional study in general practice

Background Inactivity is prevalent in patients presenting in general practice, and the health benefits of increased physical activity (PA) are well known. Few studies have explored whether patients want their general practitioner’s (GPs) contribution in facilitating a lifestyle change. Objective To identify the characteristics of patients who expect help from their doctor in increasing levels of PA. Design We collected data via questionnaires for this cross-sectional study from general practices. Setting General practices in Norway, during Spring 2019. Subjects A total of 2104 consecutive patients (response rate 75%) participated. Main outcome measures The questionnaire included questions about self-rated health, level of physical activity, the desire to become more physically active, and questions about the role of the GP in increasing the level of physical activity in their patients. We analysed our data using Pearson chi-square and binary logistic regression. Results Female patients were less active, but their motivation to increase activity and their expectations of receiving help from their doctor were similar to males. Younger patients were more motivated for increased activity, and to manage without help from their doctors. Impaired self-rated health (SRH) was associated with inactivity and, at the same time, with the motivation to become more active with help from general practitioners. Conclusion Most patients in the GPs’ office are physically inactive. This study revealed an important message for GPs: in clinical work, emphasise physical activity for health gains, especially for patients with impaired SRH. Key Points Four out of five patients attending Norwegian general practice are inactive More than 85% of these patients want to increase their physical activity level More than 50% would like help from their GP to achieve this goal

Is political steering gone with the wind? Administrative power and wind energy licensing practices in Norway

The conflicts and potential trade-offs between renewable energy development and nature protection are evident in policies aimed at promoting windpower, particularly in nature areas under high pressure from human activities. However, surprisingly little is known about the influence of political steering on windpower licensing practices. This article examines how political steering has affected the weight accorded to environmental considerations in the licensing practices of the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE). We find that the NVE enjoys significant discretion in interpreting and implementing political decisions, and that the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (OED) has not provided clear steering signals regarding nature protection. Political pressures for expanded renewable energy production are reflected in the significant attention paid to economic and technical considerations in the licensing process. We conclude that ministerial steering signals and the NVE’s technocratic culture have pushed in the same direction: greater development of windpower, at the expense of transparent and predictable consideration for nature concerns.

Reinscribing the Lived Body: A Qualitative Study of Extraordinary Religious Healing Experiences in Norwegian Contexts

Poor health often motivates people to engage in religious and spiritual approaches to healing. However, there is limited research on such experiences from a northern European perspective. This article investigates healing experiences related to Christian faith and practices in Norway by thematic analysis of 25 semi-structured interviews with individuals who have experienced healing of different ailments. In so doing, healing events across diverse contexts are characterised, and the results show that such experiences not only feature practices in which other people are present in prayer, preaching, and the laying on of hands, but also spontaneous extraordinary encounters with a divine being through visions and voices. The healing events are further described as experiences of transformational, powerful touch. In light of the lived body theory, these transformational experiences can be understood as re-inscriptions of health that are manifested in the intertwined bio–psycho–social–spiritual aspects of the body.

Couple relationship problems-a task for the general practitioner? A cross-sectional survey from Norway.

BackgroundA healthy couple relationship is a predictor of good health. There is a lack of knowledge about what role family and couples counselling should have in general practice.ObjectivesTo identify the prevalence of patients who have talked, or want to talk, with their general practitioner (GP) about their couple relationship, to investigate what characterizes these patients and to explore whether they believe that couple relationship problems should be dealt with in general practice.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey in 70 general practices in Norway during spring 2019. A questionnaire was answered by 2178 consecutive patients (response rate 75%) in GP waiting rooms. Data were examined using frequencies and linear and logistic regression models.ResultsWe included 2097 responses. Mean age was 49.0 years and 61.3% were women. One in four (25.0%) had already talked with their GP about couple relationship problems, while one in three (33.5%) wanted to talk with their GP about their couple relationship problems. These patients more frequently had experience of divorce, poor self-rated health, an opinion that their couple relationship had a significant impact on their health and lower couple relationship quality when adjusted for age, sex, present marital status and children living at home. We found that 46.4% of patients believed that GPs should be interested in their couple relationship problems.ConclusionRelationship problems are frequently addressed in general practice. GPs should be prepared to discuss this issue to facilitate help for couples earlier than they might otherwise expect.

Turning the Tap or Buying the Bottle? Consumers’ Personality, Understanding of Risk, Trust and Conspicuous Consumption of Drinking Water in Norway

This paper contributes to the debate on sustainable water consumption by exploring the relation between consumers’ personality, understanding of risk/trust and social distinction in water drinking practices in Norway. Our main research question, how can we understand preferences for water consumption?, is approached by answering a set of hypotheses inspired by a combination of three theoretical approaches. Latent variables measuring personality and conspicuous attitudes are included in frequency models based on the statistical beta distribution together with other predictors. Statistical tests were performed to find the connection between expected frequency of water consumption, personality, risk/trust and conspicuous attitudes. The conclusion is that the consequence of the connections between consumers’ personality, understanding of risk and conspicuous consumption of water should be considered by Norwegian stakeholders when planning future strategies and methods for more sustainable water consumption.

Rangeland Grazing Strategies to Lower the Dependency on Imported Concentrates in Norwegian Sheep Meat Production

Norway has vast rangeland resources (292,361 km2) with an estimated carrying capacity of nearly four million sheep and lambs, twice the current number. However, the intensive production system currently applied has led to more concentrate dependency, resulting in heavier animals in addition to poorer utilization of rangelands and homegrown feed. Intensive feeding systems indirectly influence the sustainability of ecosystems by promoting intensive cropping that can deplete soil fertility and threaten landscape preservation and biodiversity. By contrast, extensive grazing systems can produce environmentally and animal-friendly food products and contribute to regulating soil health, water and nutrient cycling, soil carbon sequestration, and recreational environments. In this paper, the economics of current sheep feeding practices in Norway, using a linear programming model, were compared with more extensive systems which allow for higher usage of on-farm feed resources. Changes in current sheep farming practices have the potential to increase lamb meat production relative to mutton production, in addition to improving the year-round supply of fresh meat. The investigated alternatives, using the Norwegian White Sheep (NWS) breed, suggest that delayed lambing is useful only on farms with abundant pastures available for autumn feeding. Lambs achieve a better market price than hoggets and mature sheep. Therefore, based on the current Norwegian meat market and price offered per kilogram of meat for lamb, an increase in NWS lamb production improves farm profits. On the other hand, when the aim is on greater use of homegrown feed and rangelands, this can be achieved through hogget production, and the quantity of concentrates required can be reduced substantially.

Climate Adaptation in Maintenance Operation and Management of Buildings

The aim of this paper is to analyze the basic criteria, trends, applications, and developments related to climate adaptation in building maintenance and operation management (MOM) practices in Norway. Investigations conducted as part of the study include an analysis of current literature addressing climate adaptation in relation to MOM practices, supplemented by a review of existing research projects and initiatives in this field. Three case studies involving different Norwegian building owner organizations were examined in order to investigate the current status of the application and extent of climate adaptation practices in relation to MOM. The study has revealed a significant gap between theory and practice when it comes to integrating MOM in relation to climate adaptation. The concept of climate adaptation is only addressed as a high-level strategic issue. The case studies thus emphasize the need for a structured process that can enable the incorporation of climate adaptation in current MOM practices. This proposes a generic and structured climate-adaptive MOM framework that will enable the incorporation of climate adaptation in into corporate MOM practices at different scales and organizational levels. Implementation of this flexible and transferable framework is expected to provide a basis for accruing further knowledge on climate adaptation. Further work with the framework should include the introduction of more tangible and tailored tools and processes, including checklists or scoring systems accompanied by relevant climate adaptation factors and plans.

Comparing the Effects of Governmental and Local Family Intervention Projects on Social Work Practices in Norway: A Cluster-Randomised Study

AbstractIncreased child poverty in Europe has urged the need for poverty alleviating measures, such as family intervention projects. In this project, family coordinators follow-up low-income families on multiple areas. The cluster-randomised evaluation compares effects of governmental and local family intervention projects on social work practices in Norway. Of the twenty-nine participating Labour and Welfare offices, fifteen were randomised to the experimental condition and received the governmental model for comprehensive follow-up (HOLF) model, including manuals, schemes for follow-up work and supervision structures. The fourteen offices randomised to the control group developed local models for the follow-up. The data comprise baseline (n = 58) and eighteen-month follow-up questionnaires to family coordinators. Effects on goal-focused meetings, relational skills, empowering and comprehensive follow-up processes and the coordination of services were measured. After adjusting for the nested structure of the data in a two-level model, the findings demonstrate that family coordinators from experimental group offices achieved more goal-focused meetings (p < 0.001) and demonstrated more relational skills (p = 0.011), compared to family coordinators from control group offices. Results demonstrate that the HOLF model increased the quality of the follow-up when compared to locally developed family intervention projects. The findings are discussed in the context of social work with families in poverty.

Variation in the achievement of HbA1c , blood pressure and LDL cholesterol targets in type 2 diabetes in general practice and characteristics associated with risk factor control.

To identify population, general practitioner, and practice characteristics associated with the achievement of HbA1c , blood pressure and LDL cholesterol targets, and to describe variation in the achievement of risk factor control. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 9342 people with type 2 diabetes, 281 general practitioners and 77 general practices in Norway. Missing values (7.4%) were imputed using multiple imputation by chained equations. We used three-level logistic regression with the achievement of HbA1c , blood pressure and LDL cholesterol targets as dependent variables, and factors related to population, general practitioners, and practices as independent variables. Treatment targets were achieved for HbA1c in 64%, blood pressure in 50%, and LDL cholesterol in 52% of people with type 2 diabetes, and 17% met all three targets. There was substantial heterogeneity in target achievement among general practitioners and among practices; the estimated proportion of a GPs diabetes population at target was 55-73% (10-90 percentiles) for HbA1c , 36-63% for blood pressure, and 47-57% for LDL cholesterol targets. The models explained 11%, 5% and 14%, respectively, of the total variation in the achievement of HbA1c , blood pressure and LDL cholesterol targets. Use among general practitioners of a structured diabetes form was associated with 23% higher odds of achieving the HbA1c target (odds ratio 1.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.47) and 17% higher odds of achieving the LDL cholesterol target (odds ratio 1.17, 95% CI 1.01-1.35). Clinical diabetes management is difficult, and few people meet all three risk factor control targets. The proportion of people reaching target varied among general practitioners and practices. Several population, general practitioner and practice characteristics only explained a small part of the total variation. The use of a structured diabetes form is recommended.

Zero energy at the neighbourhood scale: Regulatory challenges regarding billing practices in Norway

Buildings are becoming an increasingly active part of the power system due to the ongoing deployment of decentralized energy resources. To reap the added value that may be realized by zero emission neighbourhoods, it is important that the regulatory framework promotes an efficient development with buildings as an integrated and active part of the power system. When considering energy resources at the neighbourhood level and energy flows within neighbourhoods in Norway, the regulatory framework is challenged by innovative technical solutions. Therefore, it is necessary to explore how deployment of energy resources in neighbourhoods fit together with existing regulations and market mechanisms. Challenges concerning decentralized energy resources are identified based on discussions with stakeholders in Norway and a review of relevant literature in the scientific and regulatory domain. Key challenges for the deployment of energy resources in ZEN are identified, explained through examples, and related to ongoing projects in Norway. It is found that incentives regarding decentralized energy resources are highly dependent on the ownership structure, and therefore a distinction between two major classes of ZEN is made.

Patient-reported depression treatment and future treatment preferences: an observational study in general practice.

Depression is prevalent in general practice, but few studies have explored patient-reported depression care. To investigate patient-reported treatment received for depression and future treatment preferences among adult patients visiting their GP, and to evaluate the associations with sex, age and educational level. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in general practices in Norway from 2016 to 2017. Altogether, 2335 consecutive patients (response rate, 89.2%) in the GPs' waiting rooms answered a questionnaire about their received depression treatment and treatment preferences in case of future depression. The study population (N = 2239) had a mean age of 48.6 ± 17.7 years (range 18-91), 60.1% were women. Of the 770 patients reporting to have received depression treatment, 39.1% were treated exclusively by their GP while 52.5% also were referred to a psychologist/psychiatrist. Older age was positively associated with medication and negatively associated with referrals to psychologist/psychiatrist. People with high education had lower odds for receiving medication (odds ratios [OR], 0.49; 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.30-0.80) compared to those with low education. If future depression, 81.6% of the respondents would discuss this with their GP, 60.9% would prefer talking therapy with their GP, 22.5% medication, and 52.9% referral to psychologist or psychiatrist. One-third of the patients attending their GPs had consulted with them at some time concerning depression the case of future depression, most patients preferred talking therapy with the GP. This finding warrants increased research focus on the GP's role in depression care.

Lack of radioprotection knowledge and compliance in Norwegian equine ambulatory practice.

There is an increasing use of mobile radiographic units in equine ambulatory practices in Norway. Horse owners or handlers often participate in the radiographic examination in a non-controlled area. The aim of this descriptive, cross-sectional, survey study was to evaluate the radiation safety and protection in use of mobile radiography, and to identify areas where special attention from the regulatory authorities as well as veterinary educators would be required. A questionnaire was distributed to all equine veterinarians assumed to have access to mobile radiographic units, as part of a formal inspection in cooperation with the Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority. Few practices met the regulatory requirements of notifying the authorities of their radiographic units and designation of a radiation protection officer. The minority of the practices performed periodic quality assurance of their equipment. Many of the practices performed all of their radiographic examinations off-site. The examinations were most often performed in the aisle outside the horses' stalls, and few practices established an operating zone. The horse owner or handler participated in the radiographic examination in almost all of the practices. Few practices used dosimeters for determination of the radiation exposure. The study shows that there are major deficits in regulatory compliance in ambulatory equine radiography practices in Norway. The study also suggests that less stringent regulations and supervision may translate into less stringent radioprotection practices.

A method to extract fishers’ knowledge (FK) to generate evidence for sustainable management of fishing gears

The dangerous effects of Abandoned, Lost or Discarded Fishing Gears (ALDFG) is documented in the literature. However, there exists an overall lack of understanding in quantifying the pollution loads of fishing gears (FG) in territorial waters or on the beaches. The lack of data on FG life cycle results in mismanagement of one of the troublesome resources across the globe. In the remote and data-less situations, local stakeholders’ knowledge remains the only source of information. Therefore, in this article, we propose:•A methodology to extract fishers’ knowledge (FK) for generating evidence on FG handling and management practices in Norway.•The stepwise approach includes mapping of relevant stakeholders, drafting and finalizing a structured questionnaire using the Delphi method among experts to build the consensus and finally, statistically analyzing the recorded responses from the fishers.•The questions are designed to extract both qualitative and quantitative information on purchase, repair, gear loss and disposal rates of commercial FGs.The responses from 114 Norwegian fishers are recorded, analyzed and presented as a part of method validation.The evidence from the survey is then used as an input to coin the regional FG handling and management strategies in Norway. The presented method is proven a robust strategy to retrieve scientific information from the local stakeholders’ and can easily be replicated elsewhere to build global evidence around the ALDFG problematic.

노르웨이 해양에너지산업 클러스터의 발전을 위한 정부지원정책에 대한 연구

Based on the 'Special Act on Designation and Promotion of Maritime Industry Clusters', Korea maintains its policy for supporting its shipbuilding, shipping and port industry by forming a maritime cluster in the regional hub city. Nevertheless, the development of maritime cluster in Korea is still quite different from those of the industrialized countries in the maritime field such as Norway, Germany and the United Kingdom where high added value is created through the sharing and accumulation of tacit knowledge, information and experience as well as location aggregation in maritime clusters. In particular, Norway fostered its offshore oil and gas industry cluster in the 1970s with the aim of supplementing its own industry's insufficient international competitiveness and creating high quality jobs and generating huge national interest through sustainable maritime energy resource development. Thus, this study will focus on law and institutions from the best practices in Norway so that clusters could increase competitiveness of their own maritime industries at macro level, not for the purpose of knowledge transferring between small private clusters. In relation to the areas of cooperation that should be considered for the real development of the maritime industry cluster in Korea, this paper will investigate an overview on the maritime clusters, the analysis of cooperative relational development between small clusters, and the government-level legal and institutional support measures in Norway.