The new thesis examines storytelling and the role of stories in health care for older adults

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The thesis examines storytelling and the role of stories in health care for older adults. We already know that storytelling plays an important function in how we as humans understand and give meaning to our experiences and actions, which is one reason why the patient story is highlighted as an important part of person-centred care. On the other hand, we know little about how storytelling is expressed and internalized in the everyday work of care workers, what the conditions for working with storytelling as a resource in care work look like, and what importance storytelling can have in care. Daily work based on employees’ viewpoints and experience. I have explored such questions in my dissertation work.

What are the main findings?

In order to integrate the stories of older people into care, so that they truly become a source of person-centredness and meaning-making, a more holistic approach to storytelling is needed that also includes the stories and narratives of care workers and relatives. The findings show how patients’ stories and their mediation in care work are linked to care staff’s ongoing storytelling in relation to colleagues, patients and themselves, which often occurs unconsciously and therefore needs to be aware of to enable it to be used constructively. Conscious use of storytelling can create safer relationships for both patients and staff, provide continuity in care documentation and contribute to team and interprofessional learning. At the same time, a lack of awareness of the kind of stories one creates together can contribute to maintaining negative understandings of patients and situations, or of power relations and ways of working that are inconsistent with a person-centredness.

How can this knowledge benefit people/contribute to improving people’s health?

The knowledge contributes to a better understanding of the complexity involved in everyday care work and care relationships, which is important when you want to change care towards person-centredness. By understanding how everyday care routines and interactions can play a role in creating or countering person-centred and socially sustainable cultures of care, important pieces of the puzzle can be found to enable care professionals to force change in practice, which can contribute in the long term To better support older people who need care and care.

what will you do now what do you do now? Will you continue to do research?

In addition to some teaching, the future is still open. One way or another, I want to continue to contribute to the development of knowledge on how to create socially sustainable healthcare cultures and working methods.