Phd-candidate and physician Rune Aakvik Pedersen at the Primary Care Unit in Trondheim – currently visiting the PCU – has received the Research Award at the Helse Midt-Norge Research Conference in Kristiansund, Norway.

Congratulations Rune, on your research award from the Patients Committee at the Helse Midt-Norge (Mid-Norway Hospital administration). Can you tell us a little about the research that has been recognised for this award?

The research that has been recognised for this award is on follow-up of patients with ischemic stroke. It was rooted both in hospitals and in primary care. We identified patients in the hospitals and followed them through the first year of follow-up in general practice. The primary aim was to map the adherence to the national guidelines for the follow-up of stroke. We found that the adherence to the guidelines was weak. On this background, we did further studies to assess plausible barriers to guideline adherence in general practice. These studies are soon to be published.

Why was your work chosen by the Patients Committee?

The Committee’s reasoning was that the research was of high quality and it highlighted the interaction and transitions between specialist and primary health care services. It also emphasises the follow-up of treatment goals that are recommended in national guidelines for treatment and rehabilitation in stroke, according to Snorre Ness, the leader of the Committee. The patients’ perspective is an integrated part of research.  The Committee also emphasized that the work is noteworthy for a group of patients who are highly dependent on follow-up.

What is your focus while you are here with the PCU?

At PCU, the program “IPCAS: Improving primary care after stroke”, has been of particular interest for me. The research within this program is very close to the core of my interests as a researcher. And we share the same starting point of improving health services for stroke survivors.

Phd-candidate and physician Rune Aakvik Pedersen at the Primary Care Unit in Trondheim received the Research Award at the Helse Midt-Norge Research Conference in Kristiansund. The prize, which includes a diploma and NOK 150,000 (£12,700), is instituted by the board of directors of the hospital administration for Mid-Norway (Helse Midt- Norge) and is awarded once a year by the Patients Committee.

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Queries: Lucy Lloyd, Communications, Primary Care Unit