Professionals In Sweden Research Articles

Navigating Complexity: Spiritual Care Discourses Among Swedish Palliative Care Professionals.

Through discourse analysis of focus groups, this study investigates how palliative care professionals in Sweden engage with "spiritual care," "religion" and "spirituality." Our results reveal a common assumption that religion is "visible," but at the same time private. Furthermore, we observed a secular and nonreligious positioning, marked by frequent "us versus them" rhetoric, especially in discussions about truth telling. The findings illustrate a view of belonging to a secular society in which a discourse of static understanding of religion dominated, indicating a vague religious literacy. This study indicates a need among healthcare professionals to discern, understand and relate to non-visible forms of religion.

Are the content and usability of a new direct observation tool adequate for assessing competency in delivering person-centred care: a think-aloud study with patients and healthcare professionals in Sweden

ObjectiveTo evaluate the content and usability of a new direct observation tool for assessing competency in delivering person-centred care based on the Gothenburg Centre for Person-Centred Care (gPCC) framework.DesignThis is...

Widening the scope of mental health with a ‘youth centred’ approach: a qualitative study involving health care professionals in Sweden’s youth clinics

ABSTRACT Purpose The aim of this study was to explore how health care providers at youth clinics (YCs) in Sweden engage with, focus on, and navigate across the mental health youth space, while upholding the core bedrock principle of “youth-centeredness”. Methods Qualitative interviews were conducted with 21 health care professionals working in three YCs located in three different regions of Sweden. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis informed by the work of Braun and Clarke. Results The three themes were: 1) “youth mission—at the core of the YCs” work and challenged by a stronger involvement in mental ill health’; 2) “YCs” unique and complementary role in the youth mental health system: a holistic perspective, team work, and a focus on normalization’, and 3) “Caught between a rock and a hard place: to treat at a care level that is not optimal for the young users” needs or to refer within an unreliable system’. Conclusion This study reflects the individuality and key features of YCs, their widening roles within the mental health sphere, and the challenges faced in maintaining and expanding the characteristic “youth-centred” approach while expanding their work with mental health.

Exploring networks of care in the end-of-life context through eco maps: feminist perspectives on caregiving in between family, community, and professionals in Sweden

ABSTRACT More complex understanding of relationality in care networks around patients with life-limiting illness and their significant others is needed. This is the case not only because care is distributed unequally along gendered lines, but also because of the changing landscape of care in welfare states where families and communities are made more self-responsible. This study examines everyday experiences of support from six patients and nine significant others admitted to specialized palliative care in Sweden using a transdisciplinary approach uniting ‘eco maps’ and interviews. Findings indicate that while community can offer meaningful support, the ability of participants to accept that support was mixed. While professionals were welcomed in alleviating the individual and familial struggle of illness and loss, friends were seldom expected to help practically or emotionally. This was especially true for female informal caregivers, who tended to take on the emotional burden of caregiving alone. However, male patients expressed how increasing frailty opened up possibilities for caring masculinities where friends took on greater practical and emotional significance in their lives. This study contributes to field related and feminist literature by elaborating on care as an extended and relational practice shared and counter-balanced between multiple actors with differential roles and values.

Why are organisational professionals expanding in the Swedish public sector? The role of accountability

Recent research shows that new types of high-skilled administrators, what we in this article label organisational professionals, have amplified their presence in public sector organisations in relation to other types of public sector employees. Our purpose is to analyse how organisational accountability can be seen as a driver behind the expansion of organisational professionals. Intensified political and administrative pressures seem to be driving this process, but there also seems to be internal turfs in which the different parts of the government administration seek to hold each other accountable, a process possibly amplified by professionalising ambitions of the organisational professionals. The article concludes that the bureaucratising effect of accountability demands ought to be highlighted more in critical research of accountability. The study is based on semi-structured interviews and focus groups with public sector professionals in Sweden from different policy sectors and government levels.

Assessing knowledge of migrant sexual reproductive health and rights: a national cross-sectional survey among health professionals in Sweden.

Despite the commitment of the Swedish government to ensuring equal access to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights services for all citizens, shortcomings persist among the migrant population. In cases where healthcare providers lack sufficient knowledge or hold misconceptions and biases about these contentious issues, it can lead to the delivery of suboptimal care. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the level of knowledge of Swedish healthcare providers on global and Swedish migrant Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights. A national cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire consisting of seven questions related to global and Swedish migrant Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights. The questionnaire was distributed among midwives, nurses, gynecologists and obstetricians, and hospital social workers (N = 731). The analysis was guided by the Factfulness framework developed by Hans Rosling to identify disparities between healthcare providers' viewpoints and evidence-based knowledge. There was an overall lack of knowledge among the health care providers on these issues. The highest correct responses were on the question on abandonment of female genital cutting/mutilation after migration (74%). The findings indicated that healthcare providers originating from Sweden, physicians, those with fewer years of clinical experience, and exhibiting more migrant-friendly attitudes, demonstrated a higher level of knowledge regarding global and Swedish migrant Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. This study demonstrates that healthcare providers lacked knowledge of global and Swedish migrant Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights, which was almost uniformly distributed, except among those with more comprehensive and recent education. Contrary to expectations, healthcare professionals did not primarily rely on their education and experiences but were influenced by their personal values and opinions. The study underscores the importance of upgrading knowledge in Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights and encourages policymakers, professionals, and students to base their opinions on well-founded facts, particularly in the context of a diverse and globalized society.

Legitimacy of source-separating wastewater systems with Swedish water utilities

Nutrient management is one of the critical challenges for developing sustainable circular economies in cities. Nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus from our food end up in our wastewater and pose an environmental threat when they are released in waterways. Yet, these nutrients are essential for crop production and food security. Hince human excreta contains the bulk of nutrients going through the urban ecosystem. Source separation of excreta from the rest of urban wastewater flows can enable safe and efficient nutrient recovery. Yet, source-separating wastewater systems are not yet common in urban areas. The aim of this study is to assess the legitimacy of source-separating wastewater systems from the perspective of wastewater professionals in Sweden. The study uses interviews and a survey to explore the pragmatic, normative, cognitive and regulatory dimensions of legitimacy and how these aspects can vary between different municipalities. Finally, it looks into possible knowledge-based activities to increase legitimacy. The results from this study show variations in legitimacy levels in urban areas in Sweden. Overall opinion appears to be neutral to the concept rather than negative. Although many see multiple barriers to implementation. Normative legitimacy (moral motivation) was relatively high, while cognitive legitimacy (knowledge & experiences) was lowest. Respondents from organizations where source-separation is being implemented, or they believe that it will be implemented within 10 years, generally saw more drivers and fewer barriers. These innovators were also more interested in knowledge-based activities. Overall recommendations to increase cognitive knowledge regarding source-separating systems among multiple stakeholders seems the most promising path forward to increase legitimacy in the Swedish wastewater sector.

The influence of multiple logics on the work of sustainability professionals

Organizational aspects, rather than technological ones, often represent the greatest barrier in the transition toward sustainable construction. However, despite sustainability professionals’ recognized role in sustainable development, few studies have focused on such professionals’ work. To understand the intrinsic influence of multiple institutional logics on the work and agency of sustainability professionals, we conducted 31 semi-structured interviews with sustainability professionals in Sweden’s construction industry. Building on the theoretical framework of institutional logics, the findings show how sustainability professionals’ everyday work, depending on the work conditions, is a blend of thankless, rewarding collaborative, and visionary work. In the organizational context of sustainable construction, characterized by dynamism and ambiguity, different institutional logics are combined in different ways to respond to shifting demands and problems. To maintain agency, sustainability professionals need to shift and balance their work depending on which logics are temporarily central. Showcasing how professionals cope with institutional contexts defined by multiple logics, the paper highlights the complexity involved in managing the vastness and ambiguity of sustainability and how it requires individuals to be both flexible and sensitive to the existence of multiple logics in their immediate context.

Do communicators take over? Mediatization and conflicts in civil society

AbstractThe article investigates internal strategies and struggles in civil society organizations' (CSOs') policy advocacy work from the vantage point of policy professionals by using the concepts of field, symbolic capital, and logics. A main claim is that mediatization acts as a strategic‐tension mechanism within a CSO, putting communicators at the center of policy units, which in turn is consequential for the strategies chosen for the organization's policy work. In this way, mediatization as a process celebrates certain professionals and strategies as particularly relevant, creating frustration among employees not specializing in communication. The study identifies a trend for organizations to put more resources and influence into communication and less into actual policy analysis. This article combines research on organizational logics, policy professionals, and mediatization by drawing on 38 interviews with, and ethnographic work among, policy professionals in Sweden, Latvia, and the Netherlands.Related ArticlesSelling, Niels, and Stefan Svallfors. 2019. “The Lure of Power: Career Paths and Considerations among Policy Professionals in Sweden.” Politics & Policy 47(5): 984–1012. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12325.Svallfors, Stefan. 2016. “Out of the Golden Cage: PR and the Career Opportunities of Policy Professionals.” Politics & Policy 44(1): 56–73. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12149.Svallfors, Stefan, Erica Falkenström, Corrie Hammar, and Anna T. Höglund. 2022. “Networked Reports: Commissioning and Production of Expert Reports on Swedish Health Care Governance.” Politics & Policy 50(3): 580–97. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12462.

Energy efficiency at building sites: barriers and drivers

The construction industry is an important societal sector and a major consumer of energy. Improved energy efficiency is important for this sector, but energy efficiency at construction sites has so far been under-researched. The aim of this article is to analyse the drivers of and barriers to improved energy efficiency at construction sites, as perceived by professional actors. The peer-reviewed research and the grey literature on the topic were reviewed, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 relevant professionals in Sweden. The identified barriers were related to lack of money, split incentives, lack of standards and procedures, low electricity prices, lack or regulations, lack of knowledge and information and the conservatism of the industry. The identified drivers were regulations forcing actors to implement energy efficiency, environmental and building certifications, internal education, be part of an industry network, engaged electricity utility company providing information, supportive top and site managers, competition between construction sites, the existence of a plan, checklists or project database, back-office support and client demand of energy efficiency.

Encoding object-oriented democracy in Swedish museums: implementing method of the thing in exhibition-making

ABSTRACT As museums face conflicting demands on maintaining and caring for their collections, opening for visitor engagement, and being more inclusive in their practice, new approaches are needed to museum work. This article introduces a democratic and inclusive approach focusing on the relational properties of the artefact – the Method of the Thing (Tigenes Metode). We use interviews with different museum professionals in Sweden. The method allows knowledge to emerge from the convergence of different actors within and outside the museum who negotiate their expertise, (professional) roles and technical infrastructure of the museum by foregrounding the object rather than the curators’ story. We use the encoding/decoding model to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the method where centring the object allows for a process of democratisation and polyvocality to take shape, thus allowing divergent narratives to emerge.

The knowledge–management complex: From quality registries to national knowledge‐driven management in Swedish health care governance

AbstractThis article analyzes the emergence of the Swedish “national system for knowledge‐driven management.” We argue that the system is best understood as a meta‐instrument that is underpinned by an “instrument constituency,” a coalition held together by a joint interest in a particular policy solution. Based on interviews and documentary analyses, we show the conflicting interests that are included in the constituency and how the functional effectiveness of the meta‐instrument is exposed to a number of risks that follow from its specific implementation and from the heterogeneity among its constituency. In particular, we point to the threats against professional learning, responsibility, and integrity.Related ArticlesSelling, Niels, and Stefan Svallfors. 2019. “The Lure of Power: Career Paths and Considerations among Policy Professionals in Sweden.” Politics & Policy 47(5): 984–1012. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12325.Shen, Yongdong, Meng U. Ieong, and Zihang Zhu. 2022. “The Function of Expert Involvement in China's Local Policy Making.” Politics & Policy 50(1): 59–76. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12450.Svallfors, Stefan, Erica Falkenström, Corrie Hammar, and Anna T. Höglund. 2022. “Networked Reports: Commissioning and Production of Expert Reports on Swedish Health Care Governance.” Politics & Policy 50(3): 580–97. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12462.

Networked reports: Commissioning and production of expert reports on Swedish health care governance

AbstractThe article analyzes the commissioning and production of expert reports about Swedish health care management and governance. We show that these reports are rarely solitary stand‐alone products, but tend to form clusters in an evolving discourse centered around specific policy solutions. We also show that the most important producers of such reports tend to come from a small circle of informally recruited academics and policy experts representing a narrow segment of academic disciplines. We point to some of the risks involved in this structure of knowledge production and argue that reports: (a) may form their own environment rather than address real problems; (b) may reproduce certain taken‐for‐granted assumptions and critical lacunae; (c) may have their impact decided by their network connections rather than by their intellectual content; and (d) represent a structure that provides opportunities for special interests to enter the process.Related ArticlesCaliskan, Cantay. 2020. “The Influence of Elite Networks on Green Policy Making.” Politics & Policy 48(6): 1104–37. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12382Selling, Niels, and Stefan Svallfors. 2019. “The Lure of Power: Career Paths and Considerations among Policy Professionals in Sweden.” Politics & Policy 47(5): 984–1012. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12325Shen, Yongdong, Meng U. Ieong, and Zihang Zhu. 2022. “The Function of Expert Involvement in China's Local Policy Making.” Politics & Policy 50(1): 59–76. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12450

Risk environments of people who use drugs during the Covid-19 pandemic – the view of social workers and health care professionals in Sweden

Although research is emerging on how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected people who use drugs (PWUD), there is a lack of studies focusing on professionals' views on Covid-19 related risks and consequences for this group. The aim of this study was to analyze how social workers and health care professionals in the city of Malmö, Sweden viewed the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on PWUD risk environments. We used a mixed methods approach including an online survey with social workers and three qualitative focus group sessions with social workers and health care professionals working with PWUD. The professionals defined PWUD as an especially vulnerable group that had difficulty protecting themselves from contracting Covid-19, and who risked severe consequences if infected. They described risks relating to lifestyle and marginalization, limited health literacy, and health-related problems. Reported consequences of the pandemic included reduced access to treatment and support, social isolation, anxiety, and increased drug use. Factors at both micro and meso levels of risk environments seemed to contribute to a particular vulnerability for PWUD during the Covid-19 pandemic. It is important to learn from this development in order to provide better support to at-risk groups in future crises.

Social Representations of Persons with Learning Disability or Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Rehabilitation Professionals in Sweden

Individuals with disabilities are affected by their environment in different ways, and one important factor involves how these individuals are perceived by others. This article focuses on rehabilitation professionals and the social representations of people with learning disability or autism spectrum disorder, as this group’s life situation is largely influenced by the professionals who work with them in their everyday lives. An association study, which is an established method in the theory of social representations, was carried out to gain more insight; in total, 121 rehabilitation professionals were included in the study. The results indicate that, when thinking about the target group, the respondents often associated the individuals in the group with work and the working process. A relational representation emerges where the individual is not perceived as someone with independent agency but rather as a person whose characterization is assigned in relation to the work tasks. Despite this, the respondents were sympathetic to the individuals and this work. The study also shows that the professionals’ social representations of the target group differs depending on what organization they belong to and that the various denominations of the individuals used in the organizations are not appreciated by the professionals.

Ecological Worldview among Health Care Professionals in Sweden

Ecological Worldview among Health Care Professionals in Sweden

Ecological Worldview among Health Care Professionals in Sweden

Ecological Worldview among Health Care Professionals in Sweden

A survey of veterinary professionals in Sweden: Adverse event reporting and access to product safety information.

BackgroundPharmacovigilance based on spontaneously reported suspected adverse events (AEs) from veterinary professionals is a powerful tool for detecting potential risks of using medicinal products. However, it is heavily dependent on the voluntary participation of veterinary professionals. Estimates suggest that over 90% of suspected AEs remain unreported. This survey was conducted to accumulate information on current practices and attitudes of Swedish veterinary professionals in relation to AE reporting and their perceptions of the accessibility of updated product safety information.MethodsSwedish veterinary professionals were surveyed using a web‐based questionnaire prepared by the Swedish Medical Products Agency (SMPA). The survey included three sections with 13 questions and was distributed via several communication channels, including the Swedish Veterinary Association.ResultsThe survey was answered by 412 veterinary professionals, including veterinarians and licensed veterinary nurses. The survey identified that most veterinarians comply with national legislation by reporting directly to the SMPA, but not all observed AEs are reported. Veterinary professionals indicated that it is important to have an easy and efficient reporting system, preferably directly from an electronic medical records system. Feedback is considered important. Veterinary nursing staff could potentially improve the reporting rate of suspected AEs in Sweden. The degree of knowledge relating to the reporting of AEs varies among professionals, thus impacting on reporting frequency. A single source of product safety information is mainly used, and improvements are required to enhance accessibility and distribution of updated product safety information.ConclusionsThe insight gained from this survey will be used to influence attitudes and facilitate adaptations needed to fulfil the requirements of the European Union regulations. To reduce underreporting of AEs and facilitate access to updated product safety information, various approaches are required including educational interventions, new digital reporting tools and adaption of communication strategies.

The criminal trial as a live event: Exploring how and why live blogs change the professional practices of judges, defence lawyers and prosecutors

Live blogging from legal trials has become one of the most accessible ways in which the public can gain direct insight into legal proceedings, particularly in countries where television cameras are denied entry into the courtroom. Whilst live blogging constitutes an important way of ensuring the transparency and openness of legal processes and documents – a principle known as open justice and a key component of many democratic societies – the risks stemming from opening up the courts not only to more immediate and detailed scrutiny, but also to a larger, virtual audience are lesser known. A deeper understanding of how a legal trial’s transformation into a live event due to live blogs has impacted on the legal sphere is therefore needed. The aims of this article are thus twofold: to show how live blogs are changing legal professionals’ work practices and to discuss what it is about live blogs that leads to these changes in professional practices. The analysis draws on qualitative interviews with legal professionals in Sweden and Denmark and finds that live blogs increase reflection in professional performances stemming from an awareness of performing to a virtual audience. Surveillance thus leads to performance adjustment. Live blogs also lead to changes in professionals practices and transform the audience/participant boundary into a fluid one most notably regarding the Danish respondents in comparison to those in Sweden. The article also suggests a hierarchy of liveness with live blogs considered to be less intrusive than televised trials.

Supporting young people with type 1 diabetes: experiences from healthcare professionals in Sweden

Background Healthcare professionals in paediatric care face great demands to provide high-quality acute care and support for young people with long-term illnesses, such as type 1 diabetes. This study aims to describe healthcare professionals' experiences of supporting young people with type 1 diabetes in order to improve care. Methods A qualitative research design was used to conduct individual interviews with seven healthcare professionals. The interview transcripts were subjected to inductive qualitative thematic content analysis. Results Four themes were identified: strengthening young people's motivation, sharing knowledge for better support, the imbalance between resources and needs and the transition of responsibility to the young person and their family. Conclusions Healthcare professionals described motivating young people to improve their metabolic control by using a person-centred approach. Working in a team strengthened cross-professional perspectives, competence and understanding of young people's support needs and developed diabetes care. The transition of responsibility from healthcare to families and young people was important in improving glycemic control. The increased imbalance in resources and support needs in diabetes care must be addressed at a societal level and adapted according to today's needs.