Else Lykkeslet

• Sundal, Hildegunn & Lykkeslet, Else (2020). «Sometimes falling out of normal life» : a qualitative study of children and their experiences with a life with allergy and asthma. Nordisk sygeplejeforskning. ISSN 1892-2678. 10(3), p. 213–222. doi: 10.18261/issn.1892-2686-2020-03-07. Show summary

  The combination of asthma and allergy is one of the most common chronic diseases in childhood. The aim of this article is to illuminate children’s experiences with allergies and asthma through their stories of everyday life. The study is grounded in a phenomenological philosophy of lifeworld and thus employs a qualitative design. The data were collected through qualitative in-depth interviews with four children, aged 9-12 years, with each child interviewed three times. A narrative analysis was conducted from the responses. Four stories, one from each child, were written and later analyzed as one narrative, representing the findings of the study. The main finding is that living with a disease may cause a child to fall out of normal life. This narrative contains three sub-narratives: everyday life with an intrusive disease, supporters in everyday life, and the hope to be included in normal life. Using a narrative analytical approach provided a cohesive story of the children’s experiences. In these narratives, the contexts of the children’s lives are prominent, yielding stories in which everyday life, the children’s lifeworld, emerges. These stories, in turn, offer healthcare professionals insight into the experiences of children living with chronic disease. Keywords: children with allergy and asthma, everyday stories, narratives, phenomenology, qualitative design

• Synnes, Oddgeir; Orøy, Aud Jorun; Råheim, Målfrid; Bachmann, Liv; Ekra, Else Mari Ruberg & Gjengedal, Eva [Show all 12 contributors for this article] (2020). Finding ways to carry on : stories of vulnerability in chronic illness. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being. ISSN 1748-2623. 15(1), p. 1–13. doi: 10.1080/17482631.2020.1819635. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Purpose: In this study, we explore the lived experiences of chronic illness in four groups of patients; children with asthma, adolescents with diabetes, young adults with depression, and adult patients with chronic, obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Persons living with chronic illness are often designated as vulnerable. This study builds on the assumption that being vulnerable belongs to being human, and that vulnerability also might entail strength and possibilities for growth. Methods: A narrative analysis was undertaken to illuminate how experiences of vulnerability were narrated across the four patient groups, presenting four individual stories, one from each of the patient groups. Results/conclusion: The stories illuminate how living with a chronic illness implies differing capabilities and capacities dependent on the specific condition. At the same time the stories point to how various abilities and challenges in living with chronic illness can be alleviated or seen as resources. Considered together, the stories underscore how ´finding ways to carry on´ in chronic illness requires interpretational work. By calling upon resources among significant others, in the surroundings and in oneself, the narrator can find ways of interpreting living with chronic illness that might open towards a hopeful future. Keywords: chronic illness, vulnerability, narrative analysis, life

• Synnes, Oddgeir; Råheim, Målfrid; Lykkeslet, Else & Gjengedal, Eva (2020). A complex reminding: the ethics of poetry writing in dementia care. Dementia. ISSN 1471-3012. 20(3), p. 1025–1043. doi: 10.1177/1471301220922750. Show summary

  Interest in the potential benefits of poetry writing in dementia care has been increasing. Various practical projects, as well as research articles, have highlighted how poetry can acknowledge the words of persons with dementia, and increase well-being. In this article, the authors present a poetry writing project in dementia care in Norway, and argue for how poetry as a genre involves lyrical as well as ethical aspects. The aim of this article is to show how linguistic and ethical sensibility can illuminate the poetic possibilities of the everyday language of persons with dementia. Through a close reading of selected poems from the poetry writing project, the authors show how poetry writing can give an increased understanding of the resources in the everyday language of persons living with dementia. Poetry can open up alternative forms of expression and agency, and thereby support the narrative citizenship of persons with dementia. Keywords: poetry, dementia, narrative citizenship, ethics

• Skaret, Claudine; Lykkeslet, Else & Eines, Trude Fløystad (2020). Expertise - an advantage or a hindrance? Healthcare professionals as relatives of their own critically ill children in hospital, -a qualitative study. Nordisk tidsskrift for helseforskning. ISSN 1504-3614. 16(1), p. 1–15. doi: 10.7557/14.4669. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The hospitalization of children is a stressful event for parents, and it may be even worse for parents who are healthcare professionals. Scant attention has been given to this issue in the literature and by researchers. This study aim to describe how a small group of health professionals experience the hospitalization of their child, in critically ill cases. The data are based on a qualitative design, using depth interviews with three nurses and a doctor. The interviews were analyzed using a thematic content approach. The findings show how the informants experience role conflicts, and social and psychological difficulties as relatives. This article highlights the importance of how health care professionals interact and support health professionals as relatives for their own children hospitalized.

• Midtbust, May Helen; Alnes, Rigmor Einang; Gjengedal, Eva & Lykkeslet, Else (2020). Separation characterized by responsibility and guilt : family caregivers' experience with palliative care for a close family member with severe dementia in long-term care facilities. Dementia. ISSN 1471-3012. 20(2), p. 518–553. doi: 10.1177/1471301219898341. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Dementia not only affects individuals but also affects and changes the lives of close family members. An increasing number of dementia-related deaths occur in long-term care facilities; therefore, it is critical to understand how healthcare professionals support and care for residents with dementia and their families at the end of life. Design A qualitative design with a phenomenological approach was adopted. Methods In-depth interviews were performed with 10 family caregivers of residents in 3 Norwegian long-term care facilities. Results The family caregivers’ experiences with palliative care for a close family member with severe dementia in long-term care facilities were characterized by responsibility and guilt. Admission to a long-term care facility became a painful relief for the family caregivers due to their experiences with the poor quality of palliative care provided. The lack of meaningful activities and unsatisfactory pain relief enhanced the feelings of responsibility and guilt among the family caregivers. Despite the feelings of insecurity regarding the treatment and care given during the early phase of the stay, the family caregivers observed that their close family member received high-quality palliative care during the terminal phase. The family caregivers wanted to be involved in the care and treatment, but some felt that it became a heavy responsibility to participate in ethical decision-making concerning life-prolonging treatment. Conclusions The family caregivers experienced ongoing responsibility for their close family members due to painful experiences with the poor quality of the palliative care provided. When their expectations regarding the quality of care were not met, the palliative care that was offered increased their feeling of guilt in an already high-pressure situation characterized by mistrust. Keywords: dementia, ethical decision-making, family caregivers, guilt, long-term care facility, nursing home, palliative care, phenomenology, qualitative research, responsibility

• Gjengedal, Eva & Lykkeslet, Else (2019). Kunsterfaring som grunnlag for erkjennelse. In Dahlberg, Helena; Ellingsen, Sidsel; Martinsen, Bente & Rosberg, Susanne (Ed.), Fenomenologi i praktiken : fenomenologisk forskning i ett skandinavisk perspektiv. Liber. ISSN 978-91-47-11345-3. p. 301–316.
• Sundal, Hildegunn & Lykkeslet, Else (2019). Hospitalized children : parents' and nurses' collaboration in procedural situations. Pediatric Nursing. ISSN 0097-9805. 45(4), p. 174–179. Show summary

  Background: When children are hospitalized, collaboration between parents and nurses is initiated. This qualitative study explored parents' and nurses' experiences of collaboration, and the sharing of responsibility and tasks in the care of hospitalized children regarding procedural and treatment situations. Methods: A hermeneutic, phenomenological approach was used, which included field study and interviews. Participants included 11 children hospitalized in a general medical pediatric unit with their parents (3 fathers and 9 mothers) and the 17 nurses (all female) who cared for them. The children were between 1 and 6 years old (3 boys and 8 girls), and had various medical diagnoses. Findings: Parents and nurses collaborated and shared responsibilities and tasks in caring for the children in procedural and treatment situations by building relationships with the children, motivating and distracting the children, and causing discomfort and comforting the children. In this way, while carrying out procedures and treating the children, nurses and parents alternated responsibilities and tasks. Caring in these situations was characterized by a dynamic and flexible collaboration for the children's best interests. Conclusions: This study reveals the dynamics of collaboration and a sharing of responsibility and tasks between parents and nurses. This study highlights that nurses must be aware of parents' contributions and competence in terms of collaboration in both procedural and treatment situations. Keywords: children in hospital, care, treatment, procedure, collaboration, responsibility, nursing, parents

• Midtbust, May Helen; Alnes, Rigmor Einang; Gjengedal, Eva & Lykkeslet, Else (2018). Perceived barriers and facilitators in providing palliative care for people with severe dementia : the healthcare professionals' experiences. BMC Health Services Research. ISSN 1472-6963. 18:709, p. 1–10. doi: 10.1186/s12913-018-3515-x. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Dementia has become a major public health issue worldwide due to its rapidly increasing prevalence and an increasing number of dementia-related deaths in long-term care facilities. The aim of this study was to examine health professionals’ experiences of potential barriers and facilitators in providing palliative care for people with severe dementia in long-term care facilities. Methods: This was a qualitative descriptive study. The data were collected from four focus groups and 20 individual in-depth interviews with healthcare professionals from four Norwegian nursing homes. The data were analysed by thematic text analysis, as described by Braun and Clarke. Results: The major findings indicate that healthcare professionals experience a lack of continuity as the main barrier to facilitating palliative care. Time pressure and increased efficiency requirements especially affect the weakest and bedridden residents with dementia. The healthcare professionals feel conflicted between wanting to spend more time caring for each individual resident and feeling pressure to help everyone. Although resources are scarce, dying residents are always given priority by healthcare professionals, either by the hiring of extra personnel or the reorganization of tasks in a way that facilitates someone staying with the terminal resident. Advanced care planning was highlighted as a facilitator in providing palliative care, but the extensive use of temporary staff among nurses and doctors and the relocation between the sheltered and long-term wards threaten the continuity in planning and providing palliative care. Conclusions: The findings indicate that healthcare professionals experienced several structural barriers that prevented the provision of palliative care to people with severe dementia in long-term care facilities. Increasing demands for economic rationality lead to a lack of continuity of care. Organizational changes, such as measures to increase the competence and the proportion of permanent employees and the prevention of burdensome end-of-life transitions, should be implemented to improve continuity and quality of care.

• Midtbust, May Helen; Alnes, Rigmor Einang; Gjengedal, Eva & Lykkeslet, Else (2018). A painful experience of limited understanding : healthcare professionals’ experiences with palliative care of people with severe dementia in Norwegian nursing homes. BMC Palliative Care. ISSN 1472-684X. 17, p. 1–9. doi: 10.1186/s12904-018-0282-8. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: People dying with dementia have significant healthcare needs, and palliative care, with its focus on comfort and quality of life, should be made available to these patients. The aim of this study was to explore and increase knowledge of healthcare professionals’ experiences with palliative care to people with severe dementia in nursing homes. Methods: To describe the phenomenon under investigation, we used a phenomenological research approach grounded in the philosophy of Husserl. Data were collected using in-depth interviews with 20 healthcare professionals from four Norwegian nursing homes. Results: The general meaning structure of the healthcare professionals’ experiences with providing palliative care to people with severe dementia is painfulness, due to their limited understanding of patients’ individual modes of expression. The painfulness is illustrated by the following themes: challenges related to “reading” the patients’ suffering, coming up short despite occasional success, handing the patients over to strangers, and disagreeing on the patients’ best interests. The healthcare professionals struggled to understand patients by “reading” their suffering. Occasionally, they succeeded and were able to calm the patients, but they often had the feeling of coming up short in situations related to pain relief and coping with behavioural symptoms, such as aggression and rejection of care. They also found it painful when the weakest patients were moved from the sheltered unit to a somatic long-term unit and were handed over to strangers who did not know the patients’ ways of expression. Although the healthcare professionals emphasized the importance of good collaboration with the patients’ relatives to ensure the best possible palliative care, they frequently found themselves in difficult situations when they disagreed with the family on the patients’ best interests. Conclusions: We found healthcare professionals’ experiences of providing palliative care to people with severe dementia to be painful. To be able to understand the patients better, long-term familiarity and knowledge of how to “read” and observe patients with severe dementia are necessary. Openness in cooperation with the patients’ relatives and with the professional team may increase healthcare professionals’ understanding of the patients’ situations and hence improve the quality of care. Keywords: palliative care, dementia, nursing homes, phenomenology, qualitative methods 

• Storjord, May-Britt & Lykkeslet, Else (2017). Å bli sett i en krevende hverdag : ektefeller til hjemmeboende personer med demens sine erfaringer med Marte Meo-veiledning. Tidsskrift for omsorgsforskning. ISSN 2387-5976. 3(3), p. 176–185. doi: 10.18261/ISSN.2387-5984-2017-03-03. Show summary

  Bakgrunn: Det har lenge vært et politisk mål at personer med demens skal gis mulighet til å bo hjemme lengst mulig. Mange pårørende gir uttrykk for stor belastning knyttet til endringer hos personene med demens. Endringer hos den syke kan gi endringer i parets samspill. For ektefeller kan det føre til belastninger av både fysisk og psykisk art. Hensikt: Hensikten med studien er å beskrive ektefeller til hjemmeboende personer med demens sine erfaringer med Marte Meo-veiledning med fokus på kommunikasjon og samspill i parforholdet. Metode : Studien har et kvalitativt design med en fenomenologisk tilnærming. Utvalget er fire ektefeller til hjemmeboende personer med demens. Metoden for innsamling av data er kvalitative dybdeintervju med intervjuguide. Analysen er gjennomført ut fra Giorgis analysemetode. Funn: Funnenes generelle struktur fremkom og er formulert slik: Å se og bli sett i en krevende hverdag, og under denne er det formulert to tema: «Å se sin demensrammede partner − en tvetydig erfaring » og «Å se seg selv og erkjenne egne behov». Konklusjon og relevans for praksis Studien viser at Marte Meo-veiledning kan gi ektefeller til personer med demens en erkjennelse av smerten ved så tydelig å se lidelsen som har rammet partneren og samspillet i parforholdet. Videre kan metoden gi en erkjennelse av egne behov i en krevende situasjon som partner. Det kan se ut som Marte Meo-veiledning også gir muligheter for nyorientering og økt samspillkompetanse for ektefellene. Slik kan den gi hjelp i en krevende situasjon og lette byrdene. Nøkkelord: demens, hjemmeboende, pårørende, Marte Meo-veiledning, kvalitativ metode

• Kvande, Monica; Lykkeslet, Else & Storli, Sissel Lisa (2017). ICU nurses and physicians dialogue regarding patients clinical status and care options : a focus group study. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being. ISSN 1748-2623. 12(1), p. 1–8. doi: 10.1080/17482631.2016.1267346. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Nurses and physicians work side-by-side in the intensive care unit (ICU). Effective exchanges of patient information are essential to safe patient care in the ICU. Nurses often rate nurse-physician communication lower than physicians and report that it is difficult to speak up, that disagreements are not resolved and that their input is not well received. Therefore, this study explored nurses’ dialogue with physicians regarding patients’ clinical status and the prerequisites for effective and accurate exchanges of information. We adopted a qualitative approach, conducting three focus group discussions with five to six nurses and physicians each (14 total). Two themes emerged. The first theme highlighted nurses’ contributions to dialogues with physicians; nurses’ ongoing observations of patients were essential to patient care discussions. The second theme addressed the prerequisites of accurate and effective dialogue regarding care options, comprising three subthemes: nurses’ ability to speak up and present clinical changes, establishment of shared goal and clinical understanding, and open dialogue and willingness to listen to each other. Nurses should understand their essential role in conducting ongoing observations of patients and their right to be included in care-related decision-making processes. Physicians should be willing to listen to and include nurses’ clinical observations and concerns. Keywords: focus group, intensive care nurse, ICU, physician, exchange of patient information

• Kvande, Monica; Delmar, Charlotte; Lykkeslet, Else & Storli, Sissel Lisa (2017). Assessing changes in a patient's condition : perspectives of intensive care nurses. Nursing in Critical Care. ISSN 1362-1017. 22(2), p. 99–104. doi: 10.1111/nicc.12258. Show summary

  Aim To explore the phenomenon of assessing changes in patients' conditions in intensive care units from the perspectives of experienced intensive care nurses. Background Providing safe care for patients in intensive care units requires an awareness and perception of the signs that indicate changes in a patient's condition. Nurses in intensive care units play an essential role in preventing the deterioration of a patient's condition and in improving patient outcomes. Design and methods This hermeneutic phenomenological study conducted close observations and in-depth interviews with 11 intensive care nurses. The nurses' experience ranged from 7 to 28 years in the intensive care unit. Data were collected at two intensive care units in two Norwegian university hospitals. The analysis was performed using the reflective methods of van Manen. Findings An overarching theme of ‘sensitive situational attention’ was identified, in which the nurses were sensitive in relation to a patient and understood the significance of a given situation. This theme was further unfolded in four subthemes: (1) being sensitive and emotionally present, (2) being systematic and concentrating, (3) being physically close to the bedside and (4) being trained and familiar with the routines. Conclusions Nurses understand each patient's situation and foresee clinical eventualities through a sensitive and attentive way of thinking and working. This requires nurses to be present at the bedside with both their senses (sight, hearing, smell and touch) and emotions and to work in a concentrated and systematic manner. Knowledge about the unique patient exists in interplay with past experiences and medical knowledge, which are essential for nurses to understand the situation. Relevance to clinical practice Clinical practice should develop routines that enable nurses to be present at the bedside and to work in a concentrated and systematic manner. Furthermore, providing safe care requires nurses to be sensitive and attentive to each patient's unique situation. Keywords: hermeneutic phenomenological study, ICU, intensive care nursing, patient assessment, patient conditions, sensation

• Gjengedal, Eva; Lykkeslet, Else; Sæther, Wigdis Helen & Sørbø, Jan Inge (2016). ‘Theatre as an eye-opener’: how theatre may contribute to knowledge about living close to persons with dementia. Dementia. ISSN 1471-3012. 17(4), p. 439–451. doi: 10.1177/1471301216647890. Show summary

  The aim of the study was to show how theatre may yield insight into living close to persons with dementia. Six focus group interviews with health providers and close relatives were conducted. The informants, recruited by the local dementia associations and nursing homes in three Norwegian towns, were invited to see the theatre play Our Wonderful World. Further, they were asked to send written reflections from during and after the play to the project group within one week. Transcripts from the interviews and reflection notes were analysed inspired by a phenomenological approach. After discussion and reflection on each member’s preliminary themes, a common meaning of the informants’ experiences were gained. Informants gave written informed consent and The Norwegian Social Sciences Data Services assessed the project. Data showed that the two groups of informants had different knowledge of the patients’ earlier life and thoughts of the future. They became aware of how different they experienced their responsibility, and they expressed different attitudes as to how open one should be about the illness. Findings are summarised in four themes: Bright memories and sombre views of the future, Life responsibility versus professional responsibility and Shielding versus openness. The drama creates emotional engagement that enabled the informants to transcend their personal experiences and gain new knowledge.

• Sæther, Wigdis Helen; Sørbø, Jan Inge; Gjengedal, Eva & Lykkeslet, Else (2016). Theater as `bildung` in the health professions. Nordisk tidsskrift for helseforskning. ISSN 1504-3614. 12(1), p. 106–114. doi: 10.7557/14.3776. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Healthcare workers who watch a theatre play about dementia, gain experiential knowledge about living with dementia. In this essay we discuss the nature of this knowledge in light of the concept of bildung. This discussion hinges on the Gadamers explication of the close ties between understanding (verstehen) and bildung. Theatre as an art form can yield insights into narratives of otherness and may trigger reflection of one’s own experiences and thus, provide opportunities for bildung.

• Lykkeslet, Else; Gjengedal, Eva; Skrondal, Torill Helene & Storjord, May-Britt (2016). 'On one's own strength' Healthcare providers' experience with introducing Marte Meo Counselling in dementia care. International Journal of Older People Nursing. ISSN 1748-3735. 11(1), p. 24–31. doi: 10.1111/opn.12085. Show summary

  The aim of the present action research study was to investigate the healthcare providers’ experiences with introducing Marte Meo Counselling (MMC) in a dementia-specific care unit. Research on the use of MMC shows that healthcare providers saw the patients’ resources and needs more clearly and achieved increased awareness of their own skills. An action-oriented research including a three-phase strategy was applied: the mapping phase, the intervention phase and the evaluation phase. During the 5-month mapping phase, two researchers conducted participant observation of a total of 50 hours. The intervention phase consisted of lectures, clinical supervision in MMC and seven reflection groups and lasted 12 months. In the six-month evaluation phase, participant observation of a total of 48 hours was conducted. Four focus group interviews took place during the whole study period of 2 years. The staff went through a process of change described by the following themes: from challenging behaviour to challenging interaction; from generalised skills to contextualised relational care; and from personal challenges to a professional community. As a result of MMC, the healthcare providers realised the value of taking into account the patients’ context in dementia care and of being active participants in the patients’ world. The focus changed from regarding challenging behaviour as symptoms of a disorder to being a challenge to interaction.

• Sørbø, Jan Inge; Sæther, Wigdis Helen; Gjengedal, Eva & Lykkeslet, Else (2015). Livsverd og livsdrama. DRAMA : Nordisk dramapedagogisk tidsskrift. ISSN 0332-5296. p. 40–45.
• Kvande, Monica; Delmar, Charlotte; Lykkeslet, Else & Storli, Sissel Lisa (2015). Foresight and awareness of incipient changes in a patient' clinical conditions - Perspectives of intensive care nurses. Intensive & Critical Care Nursing. ISSN 0964-3397. 31(5), p. 261–268. doi: 10.1016/j.iccn.2015.06.002. Show summary

  Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the phenomenon of becoming aware of incipient changes in patient condition from the perspectives and experiences of intensive care nurses. Research methodology: This study involved close observations of and in-depth interviews with 11 experienced intensive care nurses. The text was analysed using a hermeneutic phenomenological method that was inspired by van Manen. Setting: This study was undertaken at two different high-technology intensive care units (ICUs) in Norwegian university hospitals. Findings: Nurses formed images of individual patients composed of signs (of changes in a patient's condition) that were sensory, measurable, and manifested as the mood of the nurse. The signs may be viewed as separate from and opposed to one another, but they are tightly interwoven and interact with one another. Care situations are powerful stimuli for the patient, and it is of great importance for nurses to become aware of signs in these situations. Nurses also ascribe that following the patient over time is important for becoming aware of signs. Conclusion: An awareness of incipient changes in patient clinical condition requires understanding the ever-changing dynamics of patient condition and dialogic images composed of signs. Care situations and the following of patients through shifts are essential in enabling nurses to detect these signs. Keywords: Hermeneutics – phenomenological; ICU; Intensive care nurse; Patient conditions; Sensation; Sign.

• Lykkeslet, Else; Gjengedal, Eva; Skrondal, Torill Helene & Storjord, May-Britt (2014). Sensory stimulation-A way of creating mutual relations in dementia care. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being. ISSN 1748-2623. 9, p. 1–10. doi: 10.3402/qhw.v9.23888. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The overall aim of this 2-year Norwegian action research study was to improve the interaction between care workers and patients with dementia in a nursing home by means of sensory stimulation. Furthermore, the aim was to investigate how the staff experienced the interaction with patients suffering from behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia before, under, and after introduction of sensory stimulation methods in clinical practice. An intervention program consisting of lectures and practical guiding in sensory stimulation was implemented. The care workers participated in group meetings to reflect on the progress. Focus group interviews and participant observations were conducted initially to map exciting practice, and at the end to evaluate potential changes in attitude and skills. Observation notes and interview transcripts were analyzed by means of thematic analysis which revealed a gradual emergence of person-centered care. A phenomenological life-world perspective may serve as a theoretical basis to deepen the understanding of the use of sensory stimulation.

• Dybvik, Tove Katrin; Gjengedal, Eva & Lykkeslet, Else (2014). At the mercy of others – for better or worse. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences. ISSN 0283-9318. 28(3), p. 537–543. doi: 10.1111/scs.12078. Show summary

  Many elderly people spend their remaining days in nursing homes and are thus affected by issues pertaining to a good life in a nursing home. The Norwegian study presented in this article aimed to gain greater knowledge and understanding of the significant factors associated with a good life in a nursing home. Qualitative in-depth interviews with six nursing home residents aged 80 to 96 years were conducted to collect data. The aim of the analysis was to identify typical aspects related to a good life in a nursing home according to descriptions provided by nursing home residents. The findings identified both physical and psychosocial elements, and the following three main themes emerged: receiving help when the body fails is good, meaningful days despite loss and limitations, and time as a friend or foe. In conclusion, our findings indicate that it is important to understand that a good life has a deeper meaning because it challenges the existential preconditions for life.

• Gjengedal, Eva; Lykkeslet, Else; Sørbø, Jan Inge & Sæther, Wigdis Helen (2014). Brightness in dark places’ : theatre as an arena for communicating life with dementia. Dementia. ISSN 1471-3012. 13(5), p. 598–612. doi: 10.1177/1471301213480157. Show summary

  The aim of this study was to use artistic expressions on a theatrical stage for communicating life with dementia, as portrayed in literary texts and to explore whether such communication would help relatives of people suffering from dementia gain knowledge of their situation. Life with dementia was portrayed through four theatre performances with actors reading excerpts from literary texts combined with music. Relatives were invited to the performances and to participate in focus groups following the events. Analysis revealed that the participants recognized episodes in the texts and were touched. This resulted in new knowledge. The aesthetic expression was of great significance. The use of the theatre stage as an arena for communicating knowledge became a meaningful experience. The performances enabled identification with roles on the stage, created a feeling of community with the audience and contributed to an experience of dignity

• Sørbø, Jan Inge; Gjengedal, Eva; Lykkeslet, Else & Sæther, Wigdis Helen (2013). Materialitet, makt og mening / Det som sitter i veggene. Nordisk tidsskrift for helseforskning. ISSN 1504-3614. 9(1), p. 95–104. doi: 10.7557/14.2567. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Rommet ser ut til spille en viktig rolle når man informerer om helse. Et forskningsprosjekt i samarbeid mellom Høgskolene Sør-Trøndelag, Molde og Volda har invitert en gruppe pårørende til mennesker med demens til teaterforestillinger som berører demens-sykdom og pårørendes situasjon. Informantene gir uttrykk for at opplevelsene av disse forestillingene oppleves sterkere og annerledes enn informasjon i et nøytralt rom på sykehuset, og gir en sterkere opplevelse av gjenkjennelse, berøring og bygningene kan ha på for formidling, og hva opplevelsen av mening, gjennom kunsten, han ha å si for pårørende i en krevende situasjon. Hva slags kunnskap og mening er materialisert i et sykehus, og hva ligger i en teaterbygning?

• Gjengedal, Eva; Ekra, Else Mari Ruberg; Hol, Hege Bente; Kjelsvik, Marianne; Lykkeslet, Else & Michaelsen, Ragnhild K A [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (2013). Vulnerability in health care – reflections on encounters in every day practice. Nursing Philosophy. ISSN 1466-7681. 14(2), p. 127–138. doi: 10.1111/j.1466-769X.2012.00558.x. Show summary

  Vulnerability is a human condition and as such a constant human experience. However, patients and professional health care providers may be regarded as more vulnerable than people who do not suffer or witness suffering on a regular basis. Acquiring a deeper understanding of vulnerability would thus be of crucial importance for health care providers. This article takes as its point of departure Derek Sellman's and Havi Carel's discussion on vulnerability in this journal. Through different examples from the authors' research focusing on the interaction between health professionals and patients, existential, contextual, and relational dimensions of vulnerability are illuminated and discussed. Two main strategies in the professionals' interactions with patients are described. The strategy that aims at understanding the patients or families from the professional's own personal perspective oftentimes ends in excess attention to the professional's own reactions, thereby impairing the ability to help. The other strategy attempts to understand the patients or families from the patients' or families' own perspective. This latter strategy seems to make vulnerability bearable or even transform it into strength. Being sensitive to the vulnerability of the other may be a key to acting ethically.

• Midtbust, May Helen; Lykkeslet, Else & Skovdahl, Kirsti (2011). "Med mobilen i lomma" : pårørendes erfaringer når en av deres nære dør. Nordisk tidsskrift for helseforskning. ISSN 1504-3614. 7(1), p. 77–90. doi: 10.7557/14.1828. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  I dag og i årene fremover har helsevesenet store omsorgsutfordringer knyttet til økningen av antall eldre i befolkningen. En stor andel eldre avslutter livet i sykehjem, og de fleste har pårørende hos seg i tiden rundt dødsfallet. Hensikten med studien var å øke forståelsen for hvordan det erfares å være pårørende ved livets slutt i sykehjem, og å få kunnskap om hvordan helsepersonell kan bistå familien i prosessen. Data ble samlet ved hjelp av semistrukturerte, individuelle intervju av seks pårørende som nylig erfarte å miste en av sine nære i sykehjem. De pårørende ble rekruttert fra to forskjellige sykehjem. Resultatet viser at pårørende opplever at døden i sykehjem kan være uforutsigbar og fremmed. Svingninger i sykdomsforløp og usikkerhet i forhold til tidsaspektet i forventet levetid, førte til at pårørende alltid måtte være tilgjengelig. Når møte med døden for mange er fremmed, beskriver pårørende behovet for trygghet i en ukjent situasjon.

• Eines, Trude Fløystad & Lykkeslet, Else (2008). Hvilke forhold kan bidra til opplevelse av tillit i relasjon mellom helsepersonell og pårørende? Nordisk tidsskrift for helseforskning. ISSN 1504-3614. 4(1), p. 65–77. Show summary

  Bakgrunnen for studien, er de relasjonelle utfordringene helsepersonell står ovenfor når de skal samarbeide med nære pårørende til langtidspasienter ved somatiske sykehjem. hensikten er å søke svar på hvilke forhold som kan bidra til utvikling av tillitsfulle relasjoner. Vi intervjuet 11 pårørende til pasienter ved en somatisk langtidsavdeling. Resultatet viser at helsepersonellets evne til å være tilgjengelige for pårørende, er viktig for etablering av tillitsfulle relasjoner. For å utvikle tillitsfulle relasjoner, må det i tillegg skapes arenaer for lengre og dypere samtaler. Det må også fokuseres på innholdet og formen på dialogen når det settes av tid til pårørendesamtaler. I tillegg viser vår studie at de pårørende er opptatt av pleiernes faglige kompetanse som en viktig faktor for etablering av tillitsfulle relasjoner.

• Furesund, Anna Sofie; Lykkeslet, Else; Skrondal, Torill & Wogn-Henriksen, Kjersti (2007). Sansestimulering - metode og møte. Nordisk tidsskrift for helseforskning. ISSN 1504-3614. 5(1), p. 37–49. Show summary

  Utgangspunktet for artikkelen er et empirisk prosjekt i en sengepost for personer med demens. Personalet hadde erfaringen med bruk av sansestimulerende metoder som ledd i behandling av pasienter. Ut fra erfaringene ønsket de å studere sansestimulering og samspill nærmere og mer systematisk. En forskergruppe med to representanter fra avdelingen og to fra høgskolen gjennomførte prosjektet. Situasjoner der sansestimulering foregikk ble filmet. I etterkant ble pleieren som foretok sansestimuleringen intervjuet. Hensikten med intervjuet var å få vite mer om deres refleksjoner omkring sine handlinger. Intervjuer og videotaper ble analysert og fortolket. Resultatene gav innblikk i hvordan metoden ble benyttet, betydningen av ?dramaturgien? og dialogen, og hvordan man kunne se virkning i øyeblikket og også etterpå. Vi fant at effekten av metoden avhenger av kvaliteten på møtet og relasjonen. Denne artikkelen diskuterer noen relasjonelle dimensjoner ved metoden, som hittil ikke er beskrevet i litteraturen.

• Lykkeslet, Else & Gjengedal, Eva (2007). Methodological problems associated with practice-close research. Qualitative Health Research. ISSN 1049-7323. 17(5), p. 699–704. Show summary

  Within the health professions, it is not uncommon to investigate problems in one's field of practice, but researchers who study their own field are bound to encounter both ethical and methodological problems. In this article, the authors focus on some of the challenges in what they have chosen to call practice-close research. They focus on two issues within this area: the researcher's ability to explicate his or her preconceptions and the researcher's interaction with the participants in the study. It is difficult to treat these dimensions separately, as they border on and will influence each other. The discussion in the article of methodological challenges of practice-close research is based on experiences gleaned from a study in which the first author investigated her own practice.

• Furesund, Anna-Sofie; Lykkeslet, Else; Skrondal, Torill & Wogn-Henriksen, Kjersti (2006). Lærerikt og spennende og forske sammen : utfordringer i et forskende partnerskap. Nordisk tidsskrift for helseforskning. ISSN 1504-3614. 4(2), p. 3–13. Show summary

  Utgangspunktet for artikkelen er et empirisk samarbeidsprosjekt mellom høgskoleansatte og ansatte i praksisfeltet. Forskerne fikk innpass i en sengepost for personer med demens for å studere sansestimulering og samspill. I sengeposten ble situasjoner der sansestimulering foregikk filmet. I etterkant ble helsearbeideren som deltok i situasjonen intervjuet. Intervjuer og videotaper ble analysert og fortolket. Hensikten var å få økte kunnskaper om sansestimulering til denne gruppe pasienter. Denne artikkelen er en av flere artikler fra prosjektet. Her settes fokus på metodiske utfordringer ved å være en forskergruppe der deltakerne har ulike faglige ståsteder. Temaene som blir berørt i artikkelen er: Problemstilling/forskningsspørsmål, forskningsstrategi, utvalg, metode for innsamling og analyse av data, med hovedvekt på analyse av data.

• Lykkeslet, Else & Gjengedal, Eva (2006). How can everyday practical knowledge be understood with inspiration from philosophy? Nursing Philosophy. ISSN 1466-7681. 7(2), p. 79–89. Show summary

  Many nursing scholars are inspired by philosophy when investigating phenomena within nursing. This paper focuses on the everyday practical knowledge of nurses. Based on an empirical project carried out in a surgical ward the authors make an attempt, with help from philosophy, at identifying and conceptualizing elements of knowledge in everyday practice. With reference to texts by Heidegger and Wittgenstein the authors investigate two dimensions of nursing knowledge: a dimension of doing and a dimension of being. These dimensions are further developed and concretized in the paper. The doing dimension is emphasized through the concepts of adapting and exploring. The being dimension has its basis in being understanding and being connected. These two dimensions constitute a form of knowledge which is mobile and flexible. This knowledge is in place in everyday situations and it works where it is supposed to work.

• Lykkeslet, Else (2005). Kunnskap i sykepleie. Tidsskriftet sykepleien. ISSN 0806-7511. p. 66–67.
• Strømskag, Else Lykkeslet (1998). Sykepleien i spenningsfeltet mellom teori og praksis : konflikt eller dialog? Vård i Norden. ISSN 0107-4083. 18(3), p. 32–36.

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• Sundal, Hildegunn & Lykkeslet, Else (2018). Living with allergy and asthma : a qualitative study of children, aged 8-12 years, and their experiences of life. Show summary

  Asthma and allergy is one of the most common chronic diseases in childhood. This presentation focuses on how children tell their everyday stories of living with allergy and asthma. The study is grounded in a phenomenological philosophy of the lifeworld and, as such, has a qualitative design. Data were collected through qualitative research interviews with four children, aged 8-12 years, each child being interviewed three times. A narrative analysis was conducted. Four stories, one from each child, were written up as findings, and later analyzed as one narrative. The main findings are: living with sickness makes you sometimes fall out of normal life. This contains three minor narratives: everyday life with an intrusive disease, supporters in everyday life, and hoping to be included in normal life. Using a narrative analytical approach may yield a more coherent story of the children’s experiences. In these narratives the contexts of the children’s lives are prominent, yielding stories in which everyday life, the children’s lifeworlds, emerges. The stories may give healthcare professionals insight into and understanding of children living with disease.

• Gjengedal, Eva; Bachmann, Liv; Ekra, Else Mari Ruberg; Høye, Magnhild Mjåvatn; Jørgensen, Else & Lykkeslet, Else [Show all 12 contributors for this article] (2017). Vulnerability as an existential challenge in chronic illness : a balance between self and others.
• Kvande, Monica; Delmar, Charlotte; Lykkeslet, Else & Storli, Sissel Lisa (2016). Foresight and awareness of incipient changes in a patient' clinical conditions - Perspectives of intensive care nurses.
• Kvande, Monica; Delmar, Charlotte; Lykkeslet, Else & Storli, Sissel Lisa (2016). Assessing changes in a patient’s condition – Perspectives of intensive care nurses.
• Storli, Sissel Lisa; Lykkeslet, Else & Delmar, Charlotte (2016). Assessing changes in a patient’s clinical condition: A hermeneutic phenomenological study in intensive care nursing.
• Lykkeslet, Else (2015). Hvor skal vi bo når vi blir gamle og syke? Romsdals Budstikke.. ISSN 0806-5160. p. 38–39.
• Sørbø, Jan Inge; Gjengedal, Eva; Sæther, Wigdis Helen & Lykkeslet, Else (2015). "All verden er en scene".
• Lykkeslet, Else & Ødegård, Atle (2015). Ikke "den demente", men person med demens : Vi har lagt merke til at mange snakker om "den demente". Men hvem er egentlig det? Romsdals Budstikke.. ISSN 0806-5160.
• Heggen, Kåre; Bjørkly, Stål; Ekeland, Tor-Johan; Gjengedal, Eva; Lykkeslet, Else & Sørbø, Jan Inge (2014). Doktorgradsstudium i helse- og sosialfag. Sunnmørsposten. ISSN 1503-9056.
• Gjengedal, Eva; Lykkeslet, Else; Sørbø, Jan Inge & Sæther, Wigdis Helen (2012). Pårørende til personer med demenssykdom : kunst som refleksjonsgrunnlag for erkjennelse.
• Gjengedal, Eva; Lykkeslet, Else; Sørbø, Jan Inge & Sæther, Wigdis Helen (2012). Light in dark places : theatre as an arena for reflection for relatives of persons with dementia. Show summary

  How can art contribute to relieve the situation of people with heavy caring burdens? Will information about health and illness take on a different character when it is given in the theater hall than through traditional health information? This study tried to find an answer to these and similar questions by collaborating with a Norwegian theatre on four plays focusing on dementia. We wanted to use the theatre stage as an arena for mediation of how it is to live close to persons with this disease. The aim was to investigate how art may contribute to reflections and understanding for the patients’ close relatives. Seven relatives recruited from a local dementia organization, were invited to attend four performances at the theatre and to write down their reflections immediately after each event. Further, they were invited to participate in focus groups two weeks after each performance. The reflection notes and transcribed interviews were analyzed by means of thematic text analysis. Four integrated themes emerged from the analysis, focusing on recognition, affection, understanding and esthetic expression. The participants seemed to go through an identification process where text, music, space and atmosphere made a meaningful whole that was experienced as both informative and comforting. By moving the venue of information from health care institutions to the theatre, the message seemed to take on a new meaning. An identification process between what happens on the stage and the audience seemed to come into being.

• Lykkeslet, Else; Gjengedal, Eva; Skrondal, Torill Helene & Storjord, May-Britt (2011). From loneliness to belonging. In Langdridge, Darren (Eds.), 30th International Human Science Research Conference Intertwining body-self-world, 27-30 July 2011 : Programme and abstracts. Department of Psychology, The Open University. p. 48–48. Show summary

  Dementia affects everyday life due to reduced cognitive and practical function, reduced memory and perceptual problems. It complicates communication and interaction and may result in sadness, despair, and anger. Further, the illness disturbs human relations and can result in isolation and feelings of loneliness. Different methods like sensory-stimulation and the Marte-Meo method are developed to facilitate health personnel’s interaction with the patients. The first aims at breaking their isolation by trying to get in touch with them and thereby increase their sense of belonging. The second is used to make health personnel aware of own strengths and weaknesses in interaction with patients. The aim of this study is to increase our knowledge of how these methods may facilitate interaction between patients with dementia and health care providers. It is designed as an action research with intervention taking place in two different Norwegian nursing homes, by teaching, supervising and promoting reflection among the providers. It is too early to present final findings. Therefore, we will rather present some preliminary results by describing two cases that illustrate how the methods are used in relation with two different patients. The process of making health providers conscious about different interaction methods seems to contribute to breaking the patients’ isolation, they seem to re-experience human relationship and experience increased wellbeing - at least in brief glimpses.

• Sundal, Hildegunn; Lykkeslet, Else; Gjengedal, Eva & Blåka, Gunnhild (2010). Hospitalized children – How do parents and nurses experience their collaboration? In Krycka, Kevin C (Eds.), 29th International Human Science Research Conference : Giving Voice to Experience. Seattle University, August 4-8, 2010. Seattle University College of Arts and Sciences. p. 66–67.
• Gjengedal, Eva; Lykkeslet, Else; Orøy, Aud Jorunn; Michaelsen, Ragnhild K A; Sundal, Hildegunn & Skrondal, Torill Helene [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2010). Vulnerable groups’ experiences as basis for health care interaction. In Krycka, Kevin C (Eds.), 29th International Human Science Research Conference : Giving Voice to Experience. Seattle University, August 4-8, 2010. Seattle University College of Arts and Sciences. p. 17–17. Show summary

  Vulnerability is a characteristic of human existence. Therefore, it plays an important part in almost all human interaction, in particular with "significant others", like family members and health care workers. In the context of the health care system some patient groups are regarded as particularly vulnerable, and therefore represent a challenge for health care providers. For example, major mentally ill patients are regarded as a particularly vulnerable group. Research in mental health care has indicated that the professionals try to avoid conflicting situations with these patients, using various subtle or covert coercion strategies. Such strategies may be regarded as indistinct and non-therapeutic. An alternative approach would be to rely on empathy, self-reflection and self-limitation. Similar strategies may be found in other situations with other groups. The aim of the panel presentation is to give voice to the experiences of different groups who are considered as vulnerable and to professionals who are interacting with such groups. Potential patterns in the experiences across the groups will be elaborated. Finally, the aim is to discuss how knowledge about these experiences can contribute to improved interaction. There will be given a short presentation of four phenomenological qualitative studies of interactions with vulnerable groups along the lifespan. These groups are hospitalized children and their parents, persons with dementia, hospitalized mentally ill persons, and intensive care providers’ interaction with families to donor patients. Some findings from these studies will be presented as condensed descriptions illustrating experience of vulnerability and fragility as well as challenges related to interaction. Further, experiences with interactions across the different groups that seem to both fail and succeed will be visualized. Preliminary results indicate that taking vulnerable patients’ experiences into consideration may ease their situation and improve quality of health care. These preliminary findings will be further elaborated in the presentation.

• Gjengedal, Eva; Lykkeslet, Else & Fagna, Heidi (2010). Demente kan verte aggressive. [Radio]. NRK Møre og Romsdal.
• Lykkeslet, Else & Skrondal, Torill (2009). Sensory Stimulation in Treatment of People with Dementia. In CGNA, Canada (Eds.), 15th National Conference on Gerontological Nursing Alberta Bound. Canadian Gerontological Nursing Association (CGNA),. p. 75–75.
• Lykkeslet, Else & Skrondal, Torill (2009). Bruk av sansestimulering til personer med demens.
• Lykkeslet, Else & Skrondal, Torill (2008). Sensory stimulation - methods and meetings among people with dementia and difficult behaviour : results from research in Molde.
• Lykkeslet, Else; Furesund, Anna Sofie; Skrondal, Torill & Wogn-Henriksen, Kjersti (2008). Sansestimulering - metode og møte.
• Lykkeslet, Else; Furesund, Anna Sofie; Skrondal, Torill & Wogn-Henriksen, Kjersti (2008). Sansestimulering - metode og møte.
• Lykkeslet, Else; Furesund, Anna Sofie; Skrondal, Torill & Wogn-Henriksen, Kjersti (2008). Sansestimulering - metode og møte, 19th Nordic Congress of Gerontology May 25.-28., 2008, Oslo, Norway : Ageing, dignity and diversity : Abstracts. Nordisk gerontologisk forening. Show summary

  Studien omhandler sansestimulering anvendt i behandling av personer med demens på en alderspsykiatrisk utredningspost. Sansestimulering benyttes for å hjelpe pasienten til å reagere hensiktsmessig på stimuli gjennom vekkende eller beroligende tiltak. Dette prosjektet fokuserte på håndmassasje, ansiktsmassasje, børsting, leddkompresjon og samspill knyttet til disse aktivitetene.Hensikten med prosjektet var å få økte kunnskaper om sansestimulering til personer med demens, samt å forstå fenomenet sansestimulering gjennom nye innfallsvinkler for å videreutvikle praksis. Utvalget bestod av situasjoner med sansestimulering som inkluderte en person med demens og en pleier. Fem pasienter og fire pleiere var involvert. Hver situasjon gav oss data i form av transkriberte intervjuer, feltnotater og nedskrevne filmdata. Transkriberte intervju og filmdata ble i forskergruppen gjenstand for tematisk innholdsanalyse. Analysen ble beriket av å foregå i et forskende fellesskap med stor bredde i perspektiver og erfaringsbakgrunn. Studien viser at sansestimulering er en spennende tilvekst til den voksende floraen av ikke-medikamentelle behandlingsformer i demensomsorgen. På sitt beste kan metoden gi et unikt møte mellom personen med demens og pleier. Sansestimulering kan være potent når den utøves med metodetekniske ferdigheter i sensitivt og individualisert samspill. De viktigste elementene så ut til å være: Sansestimulering - dramaturgi og dialog. Sansestimuleringens dramaturgi består av forberedelser, opptakt, oppbygging og gjennomføring. I en vellykket dramaturgi synes dialogen å bli styrket. Samspill der både kroppslige og verbale uttrykk stemte overens kunne skape gyldne øyeblikk for pasient og pleier. Sansestimulering - øyeblikkets virkning og etterklang. Datamaterialet viser at pasienten i de langt fleste situasjonene dro nytte av sansestimulering. Gode øyeblikk kunne uttrykke seg hos pasienten som velvære, tilstedeværelse eller ro.Vi så i flere situasjoner at pasientene forble rolig, beholdt et avslappet ansiktsuttrykk og syntes å tolke omgivelsene mer adekvat.

• Lykkeslet, Else; Furesund, Anna Sofie; Skrondal, Torill & Wogn-Henriksen, Kjersti (2008). Sansestimulering - metode og møte, 19th Nordic Congress of Gerontology May 25.-28., 2008, Oslo, Norway : Ageing, dignity and diversity : Abstracts. Nordisk gerontologisk forening. p. 67–68.
• Lykkeslet, Else (2008). Sansestimulering.
• Furesund, Anna Sofie; Lykkeslet, Else; Skrondal, Torill & Wogn-Henriksen, Kjersti (2007). Signe som ikke ville dusje : om sansestimulering og samspill. Demens og alderspsykiatri. 11(1), p. 19–22. Show summary

  Denne artikkelen baserer seg på prosjektet Sansestimulering og demens, et samarbeidsprosjekt mellom Nordmøre og Romsdal Helseforetak og Høgskolen i Molde, avdeling for helse og sosialfag. Det fant sted på en alderspsykiatrisk sengepost for personer med demens og psykiatriske tilleggssymptomer. I utredningsprosessen prøver man ut miljøterapeutiske og medikamentelle behandlingstiltak. De siste års erfaring har vist at sansestimulering kan være en fruktbar metode. Dette prosjektet ønsket med inspirasjon fra fenomenologisk vitenskapsteori å sette søkelyset på bruken av sansestimulering. Vi ville gjerne vite mer om i hvilke situasjoner metoden ble brukt, i hvilken hensikt, hvordan pleier begrunnet sin tilnærming, hva som kjennetegnet relasjonen mellom pasient og pleier og hvordan pasienten reagerte på sansestimuleringen. Prosjektet er nærmere beskrevet i to andre artikler (1, 2).

• Furu, Eli Moksnes & Lykkeslet, Else (2007). En forskersamtale.
• Lykkeslet, Else (2006). Prosjekt sansestimulering.
• Lykkeslet, Else (2006). Aksjonsforskning og helsefag.
• Lykkeslet, Else (2005). Tema: Å jobbe med mennesker.
• Lykkeslet, Else (2005). Tema: Bevegelig handlingskunnskap - en studie i sykepleiens praksis.
• Lykkeslet, Else (2005). Tema: Det bevegelige aspekt ved kunnskap i praksis.
• Lykkeslet, Else (2005). Tema: Vitenskapsteori med fokus på kunnskapssyn.
• Lykkeslet, Else (2005). Å kunne en praksis, hva innebærer det?
• Lykkeslet, Else & Hauge, Kari Johanne Westad (1998). Det handler om å lære i praksis. In Bræin, Lasse & Hervik, Arild (Ed.), Populærvitenskapelige artikler : Forskningsdagene 98. Høgskolen i Molde. ISSN 82-90347-84-7. p. 41–44. Show summary

  For å inneha sykepleiekompetanse må sykepleiere ha både teori- og praksiskunnskaper. I denne artikkelen settes fokus på sykepleiernes praksiskunnskaper. Artikkelen utdyper begrepet og gir eksempler på hva innholdet kan være. Videre beskrives to studier som begge har sitt utgangspunkt i denne kunnskapsdimensjonen.

• Lykkeslet, Else & Skrondal, Torill (2005). Eksamen på "åpen scene" : et evalueringsprosjekt av ny eksamensform i Videreutdanning for aldring og eldreomsorg. Møreforsking Molde AS. ISSN 8278300771. Show summary

  Rapporten bygger på et evalueringsprosjekt ved videreutdanningen i Aldring og Eldreomsorg ved Avdeling for helse og sosialfag, ved Høgskolen i Molde. Med inspirasjon fra St.meld. nr. 27/2001, "Gjør din plikt - krev din rett, kvalitetsreform for høyere utdanning". Lærerne ved utdanningen lanserte en ny form for eksamen som ble gjennomført våren 2004. Hensikten var å introdusere en eksamensform som kunne ivareta "kombinasjonen av undervisning og evaluering" (St.meld. 27/7001). Studentene arbeidet sammen i grupper i en uke med en gitt oppgave. Oppgaveteksten var en avgrenset oppgave som kan sies å være en deloppgave i en større helhetlig sammenheng. På siste eksamensdag hadde gruppene et fremlegg for full klasse. På slutten av eksamensdagen fikk studenten tilbakemelding på sin eksamensfremførelse. Et sosiokulturelt syn på læring er lagt til grunn som teoretisk perspektiv. De spørsmålene som det ble viktig for oss å få svar på var: Opplevde studentene at eksamensformen gav mulighet for læring? Opplevdes evalueringen i denne formen som gyldig for den enkelte? For å få svar på disse spørsmålene valgte vi å dele ut spørreskjemaer til studentene med forholdsvis åpne svaralternativ. I tillegg benyttet vi feltnotater fra tilstedeværelse i klasserommet. Det ble gjort en tematisk analyse av dataene. Ut fra analysen fremsto følgende hovedfunn: Eksamensformen hadde stor overførbarhet til praktiske situasjoner. Læring skjedde gjennom å dele og ved å lære "sammen". Trening i formidling ble også trukket fremsom nyttig og viktig i forhold til fremtidig yrkesutøvelse, noe som for øvrig har med overførbarheten til praksis å gjøre. Når det gjelder studentenes opplevelse av evalueringens gyldighet, kommer flere stemmer frem. Studentene syntes at oppgaven vektla helhetstanken og slik var gyldig for studiets målsetting om å kvalifisere kompetente yrkesutøvere. Mange av studentene etterlyste en bedre tilbakemelding, gjerne i form av graderte karakterer. Tilbakemeldingen ble noen ganger for generell og for lite knyttet opp mot den enkelte student.

• Lykkeslet, Else (2003). Bevegelig handlingskunnskap : en studie i sykepleiens praksis. UiT Norges arktiske universitet.
• Strømskag, Else Lykkeslet (1998). Samtale - en metode innenfor forskning? Høgskolen i Molde. ISSN 82-90347-96-0.

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