In order to meet the challenges associated with undernutrition in elderly patients who receive home-based nursing care, it is necessary to screen for nutritional status.

In the last twenty years, PhD theses in nursing science at the University of Oslo (UiO) have changed in terms of methodology, authorship and theoretical approach. Has the research become less patient-centred and patient-oriented?  

They observe eye contact, comforting and other behaviours based on experience rather than by making use of recognised instruments. Their assessments are influenced by professional development opportunities, a heavy workload and interdisciplinary collaboration.

A calm atmosphere with single rooms, flexible visiting hours and trust in the healthcare personnel can help the family members to serve as a resource for heart surgery patients with a prolonged stay in intensive care.

30–60 per cent of older adults in hospitals and nursing homes are malnourished. A well-suited screening tool is to detect the persons who are at risk of malnutrition.

Although there are procedures for medication reconciliation, the process is challenging to implement and the allocation of responsibility is unclear.

Nurses can experience moral stress and feel a sense of shame when they are torn between a patient’s needs and the requirements of the treatment system. Ethical reflection in supervision can help.