Conducting rehabilitation groups for people suffering from chronic pain

The aim of this study was to offer guidelines for counsellors who work with rehabilitation groups of patients with chronic pain. The sample involved nine counsellors engaged in a multidisciplinary pain management programme. Two focus group interviews were conducted. Data was analysed using qualitative content analysis. These indicate that main challenges facing counsellors were related to maintaining constructive group processes and being mentally prepared. The counsellors reported that knowledge concerning self-awareness, theoretical frameworks and counselling techniques was important. Personal learning included: group leadership, teamwork, grasping the inside story and obtaining supervision. The results show how important it is to have trained counsellors who are well prepared to prevent and deal with challenging group processes. Counsellors need to understand the concept of pain and be acquainted with cognitive behavioural framework and group processes. The results indicate that counsellors perceive regular supervision as supportive and is likely to promote good team functioning

Dark neutrino interactions make gravitational waves blue

New interactions of neutrinos can stop them from free streaming in the early Universe even after the weak decoupling epoch. This results in the enhancement of the primordial gravitational wave amplitude on small scales compared to the standard $\Lambda$CDM prediction. In this paper we calculate the effect of dark matter neutrino interactions in CMB tensor $B$-modes spectrum. We show that the effect of new neutrino interactions generates a scale or $\ell$ dependent imprint in the CMB $B$-modes power spectrum at $\ell \gtrsim 100$. In the event that primordial $B$-modes are detected by future experiments, a departure from scale invariance, with a blue spectrum, may not necessarily mean failure of simple inflationary models but instead may be a sign of non-standard interactions of relativistic particles. New interactions of neutrinos also induce a phase shift in the CMB B-mode power spectrum which cannot be mimicked by simple modifications of the primordial tensor power spectrum. There is rich information hidden in the CMB $B$-modes spectrum beyond just the tensor to scalar ratio.Comment: 31 pages, 10 figures. Version published in Phys. Rev.

In Search of Solutions: Stakeholder Perspectives on the Norwegian GP Crisis

MasteroppgaveSAMPOL350MASV-SAP

A stakeholder perspective on the value co-creation of the Youth Olympic Games brand: a qualitative case study in a Norwegian context

Masteroppgave - Norges idrettshøgskole, 2014The purpose with this case study research has been to understand the stakeholders’ perception of the Youth Olympic Games brand (YOG), in a Norwegian context. The research was conducted from a marketing perspective using a framework by Helm and Jones (2010) to illustrate how the value co-creation of the YOG brand may work. Eleven stakeholders from various stakeholder groups were interviewed based on their experience with the YOG. The three research questions for this thesis were: 1. Are the stakeholders of the YOG co-creating the brand? 2. Has the YOG achieved brand equity? 3. Has the extension of the Olympic brand been a success? Parent, Kristiansen, Skille and Hanstad (2013) identified the most salient stakeholders of the Innsbruck YOG, and these were used to contact stakeholders in a Norwegian context. The research indicates that the majority of the stakeholders’ co-create value to some extent. The full value co-created is unclear due to vague expectations of the brand delivery among stakeholders. Their level of brand loyalty was tied to their professional relationship with the brand, and it has consequently been difficult to determine whether they will stay loyal to the brand on a personal basis in the future. The sponsors were not included in this research as none of them accepted to the research inquiry. Few Norwegian journalists covered the event, and the journalist included in this research did not have a positive attitude towards the brand. As a result the sponsors and the media at do not seem to be in a co-creation of mindset with YOG at this point of time. As the YOG is still in the initial stage of the product life cycle it is too early to determine whether the brand contribute to the overall strength of the Olympic brand. The IOC did not have a clear understanding of the YOG brand. This seems to have created come confusions (i.e. stakeholders’ expectations), and consequently the brand extension has been quite challenging. This gives a reason to indicate that the co-creation has not been as effective as it could. For the YOG brand to become a successful extension and contribute to the overall value of Olympic brand, the brand must attain all the intangible assets that lead to brand equity.Seksjon for kulturelle og sosiale studier / Department of Cultural and Social Studie

Living a meaningful life with chronic pain - further follow-up

Living a meaningful life with chronic pain seems to depend on the patient having the leading role in their own life. Adequate assistance from healthcare professionals should be balanced during changing circumstances. Successful follow‐up demands an independent biopsychosocial–spiritual–existential perspective, where patient‐centered care and a focus on resilience go together.publishedVersio

A systematic writing program as a tool in the grief process: part 1

Bodil Furnes, Elin DysvikUniversity of Stavanger, Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Health Studies, Stavanger, NorwayObjective: The basic aim of this paper is to suggest a flexible and individualized writing program as a tool for use during the grief process of bereaved adults.Methods: An open, qualitative approach following distinct steps was taken to gain a broad perspective on the grief and writing processes, as a platform for the writing program.Results: Following several systematic methodological steps, we arrived at suggestions for the initiation of a writing program and its structure and substance, with appropriate guidelines.Discussion: We believe that open and expressive writing, including free writing and focused writing, may have beneficial effects on a person experiencing grief. These writing forms may be undertaken and systematized through a writing program, with participation in a grief writing group and with diary writing, to achieve optimal results.Conclusion: A structured writing program might be helpful in promoting thought activities and as a tool to increase the coherence and understanding of individuals in the grief process. Our suggested program may also be a valuable guide to future program development and research.Keywords: bereavement, grief process, writing proces

Dealing with grief related to loss by death and chronic pain: suggestions for practice. Part 2

Elin Dysvik1, Bodil Furnes21Department of Health Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, 2Department of Mathematics and Natural Science, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, NorwayObjective: This paper, the second of two, represents a theoretical framework for interventions related to loss by death of someone close, or chronic pain. This work is based on our previous understanding where grief is considered an integrated experience which involves movements on several continua.Methods: We have performed a comparison between two interventions dealing with grief and chronic pain using different designs. Interrelated experiences and processes were identified.Results: Life phenomena like grief and loss caused by death and chronic pain, seem to have many qualities in common and may overlap each other. A common core containing emptiness, vulnerability and exhaustion is identified.Discussion: Despite advances in research and thinking in recent years, several issues related to grief caused by death or chronic pain remain a challenge in clinical settings and research. When preparing interventions, we must pay attention to the relearning process, the common core and the interplay between these bodily expressions.Conclusion: We believe there is a value in future research and practice to consider losses caused by death and chronic pain, together as well as separately. Our comprehensive approach indicates that understanding the processes involved in one sort of grief may help understand the processes involved in the other.Keywords: nursing, program development, grie