Nordic research network with a user perspective

Called the Nordic Research Network: Health and Welfare Technology (HWT), this new network group has the goal of increasing knowledge of research, higher education and practical findings in health and welfare technology.

Nettverket har de siste årene vokst, og i dag er rundt 80 forskere fra alle de nordiske land representert. Viewed globally, the medical care and the social care sectors are both facing major changes. Digitalization and technology are playing an ever greater role in various types of welfare services. At the same time, it is important to develop patient and client-focused processes that enable people to live independently for longer. Health and welfare technology may also become significant in the fields of disability and pedagogics.

Understanding change processes

Meeting and handling the above challenges requires a deeper understanding of which change processes are currently operating in the area of health and welfare technology.

“We also need to understand how these processes can be implemented optimally and what will be expected of personnel working with the technology in the future,” comments Bengt Andersson, project manager at the Nordic Welfare Centre and the person coordinating the network.

Health and welfare technology with a focus on the user perspective is a relatively new research field in the Nordic countries. The network will have a role in coordinating this type of research and contributing to strengthening and expanding the resultant knowledge outside said field.

“Shared findings will strengthen the Nordic countries as a region. Clearly enough, this benefits individuals. However, in preparing for future challenges such as attracting manpower, there will also be important findings to share at organisational and policy levels,” states Bengt Andersson.