Albert Westergren
My research focus is within eating difficulties, nutrition, neurology (stroke and Parkinson's disease), psychometrics and metrology. I am the third generation of nurses in my family. Grandmother Hanna Nilsson (born Åkesdotter) became a nurse in Kristianstad 1911, mother Ingegärd Westergren (born Nilsson) in Jönköping 1949, and I in Kristianstad 1989. I am a professor in nursing (since 2009), director for the Research platform for Collaboration for Health and member of the faculty board.
During my Ph.D. studies, the focus for my research was on older people, especially older people with stroke and their problems with eating and nutrition. The studies were conducted within acute care and rehabilitation. After becoming Ph.D. (2001) the research has expanded to include care and service to elderly people within primary care and municipalities (special accommodation and ordinary living). The focus on neurology and nutrition maintains. I became associate professor at Lund University in 2006. During 2007-2009 I was employed as research assistant, funded by the Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsrådet). I became professor at Kristianstad University in 2009. During the autumn 2018 until autumn 2019 I am a visiting professor (in the name of Hedda Andersson) at Lund University, 20 %.
Besides the above mention, I am also working with psychometrics and metrology, methods for evaluation and development of instruments/rating scales based on classical and modern test theory.
In one study, well representing my research, and for which I was the principal investigator, we explored conceptual aspects of a Computer-based Training in Eating and Nutrition (CBTEN). We used Group Concept Mapping as a method, combining qualitative and quantitative methods. Nursing staff who underwent the training, produced by brainstorming statements about how the education contributed to their competence regarding nutritional assessments/measures. Subsequently, these statements were sorted based on how the participants considered that they belonged together and then graded them based on how important they were considered to be for their own competence. The results showed that the 38 statements could be grouped into four areas (clusters): 1) personal competence and development; 2) practice close care development; 3) patient safety; and 4) awareness about the nutrition care process. The first and second areas represented "the learning organization" and third and fourth represented "quality improvement". The findings were discussed in relation to the framework for person-centred care (McCormack & McCance, 2006). The Vårdal Foundation funded the study.
Reference: Westergren A, Edfors E, Norberg E, Stubbendorf A, Hedin G, Wetterstrand M, Rosas S, Hagell P. Computer-based training in eating and nutrition facilitates person-centred hospital care: a group concept mapping study. CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing 2018; Vol 36, Number 4: 199-207.