CIE Travel Grant Funds Trip, Fosters Collaborative On Long-Term Elderly Care
By Gene Harkless, department of Nursing, HHS
May 2, 2007
"
Trondheim, Norway at the end of February? What was I thinking?
Actually, it was the perfect time to make the trip. Since
my Fulbright experience in Oslo ten years ago, I have traveled
every few years to Norway to work with Dr. Anne Vinsnes
on projects related to improving long-term care for the
elderly.
Our collaboration has been productive and now seemed an
opportune time to meet, review our mutual goals and needs,
and develop a plan for future work. The CIE travel grant
allowed me to do just that.
The trip was perfectly timed as the Faculty of Nursing
at Sør-Trøndelag University College is beginning
an exciting partnership with the University of Trondheim
Faculty of Medicine and other stakeholders to design, build,
and administer a state of the art intermediate and long-term
care facility.
The hole is dug for the foundation and teams are meeting
frequently to begin this important venture. During my week
visit in Trondheim, I was able to participate in discussions
with faculty about the challenges and opportunities this
presents. We outlined new projects focusing on replicating
and extending our prior work on unit-based interventions
to improve functioning in frail elders.
In addition to brainstorming and planning future work,
I was invited to give a lecture on the introduction of clinical
microsystem processes in nursing education. Out of this
came a rich dialogue about professional nursing roles and
responsibilities, which transcend national boundaries.
Also, I was able to meet with other researchers, both within
and outside of nursing, to gain a broader understanding
of the structure and process of Norwegian health care research.
Each time I travel to Norway, I am amazed at what I learn
and am always delighted with my colleagues’ generosity
and gracious hospitality. This trip was no different. So,
overall, the CIE grant generously allowed me to plan for
continuing work with my Norwegian colleagues and for that
I am very thankful. Tusen takk!"
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