Well-being for Individuals and Families in Nursing (IndFamilyNurs)
Our research is particularly focused on the most vulnerable patient groups, including pregnant women or those giving birth, preterm and full-term newborns, children, and adolescents, as well as parents in need of support in their different life situations.
Research group information
Unit and faculty
Contact information
Research group leader
- Professor
Researchers
Research group description
The research priorities in promoting the well-being of individuals and families are:
- Promoting family orientation; developing instruments for the evaluation of family-centered care, increasing the involvement of parents/relatives in the care, and also developing child-centered research methods
- Impact of the care and natural environment on well-being, emphasizing the diversity of northern nature, its production for different target groups, and the principles of planetary well-being in the interaction between nature and humans
- Non-pharmacological methods; (a) developing and testing multimodal assessment tools, (b) evaluating the use and effectiveness of non-pharmacological methods (considering not only pain, but also emotions such as fear, anxiety, and stress), and (c) increasing the competence of staff through training interventions in nursing
- Promoting mental well-being: developing methods to foster resilience, particularly among young people
In digital interventions, our research interest lies in exploring how emerging technologies—such as virtual reality, social robotics, and artificial intelligence (AI)—can be leveraged to provide tailored support for vulnerable patient populations in nursing.
Research materials include qualitative and quantitative data based on the interviews, surveys, documents, and physiological parameters collected from children, young people, their families/relatives, and healthcare providers.
The group employs methods such as intervention studies (RCTs), systematic reviews with meta-analysis, and qualitative studies with content analysis. In addition, we develop psychometrically validated instruments, and it is also possible to use a cohort study and theory development and testing.
The goal of our research group is to produce research evidence that supports the development of consistent practices and multidisciplinary innovations to promote family-orientation and improve the effectiveness of care in nursing. The results have the potential to reduce inequalities, promote justice, and enhance participation in the care of diverse patient populations and groups.
We aim to contribute to sustainable development, ensuring a healthy life and well-being, particularly for the most vulnerable patient groups and their families.
The research project innovatively integrates knowledge from various disciplines to enhance the quality and effectiveness of care. Collaboration is established with actors within the health service system, local companies, third-sector organizations, and researchers in various fields, both nationally and internationally.
If you are interested, please contact: tarja.polkki@oulu.fi
You can also follow us: @indfamilynurs (Instagram), @indfamilynurs tutkimusryhmä (Facebook)
Digi-PEPP - Digital solutions for assessment and treatment of Pain and its related Emotions in Pediatric patients and their Parents
PEARL - Pain in Early Life
Icory Solution- Intelligent Solution for Surgery Care
EduPal - Developing palliative nursing and medical education through multi-disciplinary cooperation and working life collaboration
inDemand - Digital health solutions proposed and co-created with health care organisations
EUROPAIN - EUROpean-Pain-Audit-In-Neonates
