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Ahlström, Gerd
Alternative names
Publications (10 of 186) Show all publications
Ahlström, G. & Wadensten, B. (2010). Encounters in close care relations from the perspective of personal assistants working with persons with severe disablility.. Health & Social Care in the Community, 18(2), 180-188
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Encounters in close care relations from the perspective of personal assistants working with persons with severe disablility.
2010 (English)In: Health & Social Care in the Community, ISSN 0966-0410, E-ISSN 1365-2524, Vol. 18, no 2, p. 180-188Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

In Sweden adults with major and sustainable disabilities can be granted publicly financed support in the form of personal assistance after assessment and decision-making in accordance with government rules. The purpose of the present study was to explore more deeply the encounters in close care relations between personal assistants and disabled persons of working age, as well as the prerequisites for and obstacles to the success of such encounters, this from the perspective of the personal assistants. Thirty-two personal assistants (22- to 55-year old) who worked for 32 persons with serious neurological diseases living at home were interviewed. The transcribed unstructured interviews were qualitatively analysed using latent content analysis. The analyses resulted in five main themes: Perceptive awareness, Entering into the other's role, Mutuality, Handling the relationship and Personal difficulties facing the assistant. These themes illustrated that a prerequisite for the encounter's being meaningful is that the assistant should be able to observe and understand the unique needs of the disabled person. The assistant must furthermore be able to put herself/himself into the other person's position. It is also important that the personal chemistry between the assistant and the disabled person should be good. Being able to share feelings and interests with the functionally impaired person provides the assistant with positive emotional confirmation of a good relationship. A distressing dilemma the assistant faces is that of distinguishing between the working relationship and the personal friendship. In this borderline area are found experiences, feelings and events that the assistant may view as negative or even unacceptable. This study contributes to the understanding of the complexity underlying the daily community care of disabled persons with an extensive need for care and assistance.

Keywords
close care relation, personal assistant, staff, chronic disease
National Category
Social Work
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-11001 (URN)10.1111/j.1365-2524.2009.00887.x (DOI)000274320100007 ()19817886 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-77349088288 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2009-12-09 Created: 2009-12-09 Last updated: 2020-02-26Bibliographically approved
Wallin, A.-M. & Ahlström, G. (2010). From diagnosis to health: a cross-cultural interview study with immigrants from Somalia. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, 24(2), 357-365
Open this publication in new window or tab >>From diagnosis to health: a cross-cultural interview study with immigrants from Somalia
2010 (English)In: Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, ISSN 0283-9318, E-ISSN 1471-6712, Vol. 24, no 2, p. 357-365Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-7901 (URN)10.1111/j.1471-6712.2009.00729.x (DOI)000277713500020 ()
Available from: 2009-02-17 Created: 2009-02-17 Last updated: 2021-04-01Bibliographically approved
Wallin, A.-M., Sidenvall, B. & Ahlström, G. (2009). Conceptions of the encounter in diabetes care on the part of patients of Somalian origin and health-care professionals: a qualitative study.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Conceptions of the encounter in diabetes care on the part of patients of Somalian origin and health-care professionals: a qualitative study
2009 (English)Article in journal (Refereed) Submitted
National Category
Medical and Health Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-7903 (URN)
Available from: 2009-02-17 Created: 2009-02-17 Last updated: 2014-08-06
Wadensten, B. & Ahlström, G. (2009). Ethical values in personal assistance: narratives of people with disabilities. Nursing Ethics, 16(6), 759-774
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Ethical values in personal assistance: narratives of people with disabilities
2009 (English)In: Nursing Ethics, ISSN 0969-7330, E-ISSN 1477-0989, Vol. 16, no 6, p. 759-774Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

The aim of this study was to investigate the experiences of persons with severe functional disabilities who receive personal assistance in their homes, the focus being on their daily life in relation to the ethical principles represented in the Swedish Disability Act: autonomy, integrity, influence and participation. Qualitative interviews were performed with 26 persons and thereafter subjected to qualitative latent content analysis. The experiences of personal assistance were very much in accordance with the said principles, the most important factor being that one is met with understanding. The participants described situations in which their integrity was violated in that they were not treated as competent adults. This indicates the importance of future efforts in nursing to support personal assistants with ethical knowledge and supervision so that they can empower people with disabilities and thereby enable them to maintain their self-esteem and dignity.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Sage Publications, 2009
Keywords
chronic disease, ethics, personal assistance services, participation, autonomy, integrity
National Category
Medical Ethics
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-11000 (URN)10.1177/0969733009341913 (DOI)000271567200009 ()19889916 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-70449411881 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2009-12-09 Created: 2009-12-09 Last updated: 2020-02-25Bibliographically approved
Lidskog, M., Löfmark, A. & Ahlström, G. (2009). Learning through participating on an interprofessional training ward. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 23(5), 486-497
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Learning through participating on an interprofessional training ward
2009 (English)In: Journal of Interprofessional Care, ISSN 1356-1820, E-ISSN 1469-9567, Vol. 23, no 5, p. 486-497Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Learning in clinical education can be understood as a process of becoming a legitimate participant in the relevant context. Interprofessional training wards (IPTWs) are designed to give students from educational programmes in health and social care a realistic experience of collaboration for the purpose of developing teamwork skills. IPTWs have been found to be appreciated by the students and to influence students' understanding of each other's professions. The aim of this study was to describe and analyse the students' learning on an interprofessional training ward in care for older persons through focusing on the students' ways of participating in the communities of practice on the ward. A case study design was chosen. Multiple data sources were used. The findings show that the students engaged as active participants in the care. At the same time there was sometimes a discrepancy between on the one hand expectations and goals, on the other hand actual participation. There were difficulties in making the training relevant for all the student groups involved. The findings indicate that in the planning of interprofessional education the choice of setting and learning situations is crucial with regard to the learning that will occur.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Taylor & Francis, 2009
Keywords
interprofessional learning, students, training ward, clinical education, participation
National Category
Health Care Service and Management, Health Policy and Services and Health Economy
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-11002 (URN)10.1080/13561820902921878 (DOI)000270589600008 ()19657936 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-77958166746 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2009-12-09 Created: 2009-12-09 Last updated: 2020-02-25Bibliographically approved
Ahlström, G. (2009). Research Outcomes about Coping in Swedish populations: the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WCQ). Paper presented at International Conference Coping with Stress, 30 september - 1 october 2009. Umeå University
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Research Outcomes about Coping in Swedish populations: the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WCQ)
2009 (English)In: / [ed] Mehdi Ghazinour, Department of social work, Umeå University, Umeå University, 2009, p. 1-Conference paper, Published paper (Refereed)
Abstract [en]

The lecture will present an overview of the development and results from the Swedish version of the WCQ. The process of translation of the original questionnaire into Swedish is described as well as the results of the first Swedish study about coping with illness-related problems in persons with chronic diseases compared with a group healthy subjects. The first findings indicated the importance of further testing of the psychometric properties of the WCQ. Further psychometric evaluation of the WCQ included 510 subjects (patients, their next of kin and students). The result indicated modest support for the 8-factor model and deviation from equality of factor structures among the sub-samples. The 8-factor model was more adequate in describing clinical than non-clinical samples. A modification of the WCQ with a version of 45 items was made based on the results, which is now current in several studies.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Umeå University: , 2009
Keywords
The Ways of Coping Questionnaire, Psychometric evaluation, Swedish version
National Category
Nursing Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-11263 (URN)
Conference
International Conference Coping with Stress, 30 september - 1 october 2009
Available from: 2010-01-09 Created: 2010-01-09 Last updated: 2010-03-18Bibliographically approved
Edvardsson, T. & Ahlström, G. (2009). Subjective quality of life in persons with low-grade glioma and their next of kin. International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 32(1), 64-70
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Subjective quality of life in persons with low-grade glioma and their next of kin
2009 (English)In: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, ISSN 0342-5282, E-ISSN 1473-5660, Vol. 32, no 1, p. 64-70Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Patients with low-grade glioma have a longer survival than patients with highly malignant glioma, and for this reason questions of quality of life (QoL) are of particular importance to such patients as well as to their next of kin. No studies have been found in which both adult patients with low-grade glioma and their next of kin have estimated their own QoL. This study was therefore designed to investigate the subjective QoL of these two groups. Thirty-nine patients with low-grade glioma selected from a well-defined county population and 27 next of kin participated in the study. The questionnaire used in the study was the subjective estimation of QoL. The main results and conclusions are as follows: the variable absence of work/meaningful occupation showed statistically significant lower ratings among patients than among next of kin. The results show significant influence mainly on the patients' and their next of kin's internal psychological condition; related to background variables but the pattern in the results was inconsistent. There is a need for recurrent rehabilitation during this long-term disease, and a need to give vocational rehabilitation to support the patient's desire to have a meaningful occupation. It is also of importance to include the patient's next of kin when offering rehabilitation.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2009
Keywords
Quality of Life, Disability, Family, Low-grade glioma, Next of kin, Kajandi's instrument
National Category
Nursing Nursing
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-9744 (URN)10.1097/MRR.0b013e32830bfa8c (DOI)000264360000008 ()19648803 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-67650870170 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2009-08-04 Created: 2009-08-04 Last updated: 2020-02-25Bibliographically approved
Silén, M., Tang, P. F. & Ahlström, G. (2009). Swedish and Chinese nurses' conceptions of ethical problems: a comparative study. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 18(10), 1470-1479
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Swedish and Chinese nurses' conceptions of ethical problems: a comparative study
2009 (English)In: Journal of Clinical Nursing, ISSN 0962-1067, E-ISSN 1365-2702, Vol. 18, no 10, p. 1470-1479Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

The aim was to investigate Swedish and Chinese nurses' conceptions of ethical problems and workplace stress and ascertain whether there are differences between the nurses in the two countries and between types of clinics. A comparative and quantitative research design was used. The study was carried out at one hospital in China and two hospitals in Sweden. One hundred and thirty-six Chinese nurses and 137 Swedish nurses participated by completing a questionnaire. There was a statistical difference between nurses working in the different countries regarding commonest stated ethical problem. The Swedish nurses indicated a greater number of ethical problems than the Chinese nurses. The latter felt irritated, dissatisfied or sad at work or after work more often than the Swedish nurses. Forty-one per cent of the nurses in both countries thought there was a modest or rather big difference between the current and the desired quality of nursing. The findings were partially the same in the two countries and this underlines the importance of looking at ethical problems from an organisational perspective.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
John Wiley & Sons, 2009
Keywords
China, cross-national, ethics, nurses, nursing, Sweden
National Category
Nursing
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-6820 (URN)10.1111/j.1365-2702.2008.02422.x (DOI)000265035200011 ()19416099 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-64549115017 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2008-11-14 Created: 2008-11-14 Last updated: 2020-02-25Bibliographically approved
Ahlström, Gerd, G. (2009). The Development of Nursing in Modern Society.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>The Development of Nursing in Modern Society
2009 (English)Conference paper, Published paper (Other academic)
Keywords
Nursing Science, Internationalisation, Cross-cultural comparison
National Category
Nursing
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-9743 (URN)
Note
Invited key-lecturerAvailable from: 2009-08-04 Created: 2009-08-04
Wadensten, B. & Ahlström, G. (2009). The struggle for dignity by people with severe functional disabilities. Nursing Ethics, 16(4), 453-465
Open this publication in new window or tab >>The struggle for dignity by people with severe functional disabilities
2009 (English)In: Nursing Ethics, ISSN 0969-7330, E-ISSN 1477-0989, Vol. 16, no 4, p. 453-465Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

The purpose of this study was to investigate what strategies people with severe functional disabilities who receive personal assistance in their homes use in their daily life to achieve autonomy, integrity, influence and participation. Qualitative interviews were carried out and subjected to qualitative latent content analysis. The main finding was expressed in terms of six subthemes: trying to keep a private sphere; striving to communicate; searching for possibilities; taking the initiative; striving to gain insight; and using one's temperament. These generated the overall theme: maintaining dignity in close relationships. This study contributes an understanding of the strategies used by people who are dependent on personal assistance. Future efforts in nursing must focus on supporting personal assistants with ethical knowledge and guidance in order that people with severe functional disabilities are empowered to achieve autonomy, integrity, influence and participation in their daily lives.

Keywords
Disability, Ethics, Personal assistance, dignity, autonomy, self-determination, participation
National Category
Nursing Nursing Social Work
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-9741 (URN)10.1177/0969733009104609 (DOI)19528102 (PubMedID)
Available from: 2009-08-04 Created: 2009-08-04 Last updated: 2017-12-13Bibliographically approved
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