DiaBEST: Best Practice Research in Diabetes and Other Chronic Conditions
The main focus of the research is diabetes across the lifespan in primary and specialist healthcare. As the knowledge base on diabetes has evolved, other chronic illnesses are also included, considering knowledge transfer and greater interdisciplinary approaches (e.g., cardiovascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
The main focus of research in DiaBEST is on the psychosocial aspects of living with diabetes or other chronic illness. We also conduct research on treatment, follow-up in the health service, self-management and complications. In addition to intervention studies, research involves the use of epidemiological data, registry data, patient-reported data and interview data.
The research is well integrated into the education of specialized nurses in diabetes (Master of Clinical Nursing - Diabetes Nursing) and advanced nursing practice (Master of Clinical Nursing - Advanced Nursing Practice), with student involvement in our projects and topics initiated from the practical field.
Despite great pharmacological, medical and technological improvements, many people with diabetes and other chronic conditions still fail to reach their treatment goals. We study various aspects of the treatment of long-term and chronic conditions, and the effects of intervention using educational and organization approaches in the specialist health service, general practice, home-based services and nursing homes.
In addition, we study epidemiological conditions related to the development of disease, disease burden, health and quality of life in clinical studies and the use of data from large population-based studies and health records. This is important to promote health and function and reduce social inequalities in health.
There is a lack of knowledge about how health expertice, self-care, different treatments and socio-demographic factors contribute to better health and quality of life in the individual. The research group contributes to the development of national and international guidelines and professional procedures.
The research is linked to three main areas:
1) self-management, function and participation
2) health and function related to needs and follow-up in health care
3) risk of disease development and complications
We have research collaborations with several municipalities and healthcare trusts. All of our projects involve user participation. For instance, we collaborate with the Norwegian Diabetes Association and the National Association for Heart and Lung Patients.
Education
Master of Clinical Nursing - Diabetes Nursing
Master of Clinical Nursing - Diabetes Nursing
Study coordinator: Professor Anne Haugstvedt
Members of the research group are responsible for all subjects in the education and contribute to knowledge-based teaching.
PhD Programme in Health, Function and Participation
PhD Programme in Health, Function and Participation
PHDH908 Intervention studies, 5 credit points. Course coordinator: Professor Marjolein M. Iversen
Members of the research group have the main responsibility for the development and implementation of this course.
PHDH903 Research design and methods, 5 credit points. Course coordinators: Professor Ragnhild B. Strandberg og professor Hilde Kristin R. Riise.
Research projects
Ongoing research projects
DiaPROM - The use of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) to promote quality of diabetes care
Project Investigator: Anne Haugstvedt
Postdoctoral Fellow: Ingvild Hernar
Funding: The Western Norway Regional Health Authority (Helse Vest), Western Norway University of Applied Science (HVL), Norwegian Nurses Organisation, Norwegian Diabetes Association, Foundation Dam
Effectiveness of a team-based follow-up program in general practice: protocol of a mixed-method complex intervention trial among people with chronic conditions
Project Investigator: Beate-Christin H. Kolltveit
Funding: Norwegian Nurses Organisation
Hypoglycaemia in home-dwelling older people with diabetes
Project Investigator: Monica Hermann
PhD Candidate: Mari Fløde
Funding: Western Norway University of Applied Science, Norwegian Diabetes Association, Olga og Minius Øieren stiftelse
Living with diabetes – hospitalization, risk of complications and distress – the Trøndelag Health Study, Norway
Project Investigator: Marjolein M. Iversen
Co-investigator: Hilde Kristin R. Riise
Funding: The Western Norway Regional Health Authority
Telemedicine follow-up of wounds in municipal healthcare services
Project Investigator: Marjolein M. Iversen
Postdoctoral Fellow: Kjersti M. Blytt
Funding: The Western Norway Regional Health Authority, The Rsearch Council of Norway, Norwegian Nurses Organisation, Norwegian Diabetes Association, Stavanger University Hospital, InnoMed, Western Norway University of Applied Science
Multimorbidity, risk of nursing home admission and mortality among persons with and without diabetes in home care services - a nationwide registry study.
Project Investigator: Marjolein M. Iversen
PhD Candidate: Tonje Teigland
Funding: The Rsearch Council of Norway, Norwegian Nurses Organisation, Norwegian Diabetes Association
Pregnancy outcomes among women with Type 1 Diabetes in Norway 1999-2021 - A national population-based study
Project Investigator: Eline S. Vik/ Ragnhild B. Strandberg
PhD Candidate: Astrid Stalheim
Funding: Oslo University Hospital
Patients with COVID-19 in intensive care units - a follow-up study of mental and physical health
Project Investigator: Hilde K. R. Riise
PhD Candidate: Dina Løland
PhD Candidate: Elsa Irgens
Funding: Western Norway University of Applied Science
COVID-NURSE Clinical Trial
Project Investigator: David A Richards
Funding: National Institute for Health and Care Research (UK)
Helse i Hardanger – Diabetes research
Project Investigator: Eirik Søfteland (Helse Bergen HF)
Co-PI: Anne Haugstvedt
Funding: Foundation Dam
Diabetes management in nursing homes - a register-based study
Project Investigator: Marjolein M. Iversen
Diabetes and risk factors for diabetes in the Hordaland Health Study. A 20-year prospective cohort study of 50-year-old men and women.
Project Investigator: Marjolein Memelink Iversen
Oral health and the interaction with diabetes mellitus, cardio-vascular diseases, mental health, and sleep, over time in a Norwegian adult population
Project Investigator: Marjolein Memelink Iversen
A guided self-determination follow-up program delivered within a digital platform for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in primary care: a study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled pilot trial
Project Investigator: Beate-Christin Hope Kolltveit
Developing and Assessing Feasibility, Acceptability, Appropriateness, and Impact of the Enabling Sustainable and SafE health care through fundamental Nursing CarE in Canada: The ESSENCE CANADA STUDY
Project Investigator: David Richards, Lianne Jeffs
Funding: Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Completed projects
Casual blood glucose and subsequent cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality
Project Investigator: Associate Professor Hilde Kristin Refvik Riise
The use of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) to promote quality of clinical diabetes
Project Investigator: Professor Anne Haugstvedt
Use of patient-reported outcome measures to increase the quality of care for patients with diabetes – a feasibility study
Project Investigator: Associate Professor Ingvild Hernar
Being mothers and fathers of a child with type 1 diabetes aged 1 to 7 years: a phenomenological study of parents’ experience
Project Investigator: Anne Solveig Iversen
Using Guided self-determination (GSD) to promote improved self-management in adults with type 1 diabetes – an intervention
Project Investigator: Jannike Mohn
Parenting children with type 1 diabetes
Project Investigator: Professor Anne Haugstvedt
Clinical guideline for follow-up and treatment of elderly individuals with diabetes in municipal health and care services
Project Investigator: Hilde Heimli (The Norwegian National Centre for Ageing and Health)
Leader of working group: Professor Marjolein M. Iversen
Sexual dysfunction in women with diabetes
Project Investigator: Eirik Søfteland (Haukeland University Hospital)
