Bjerkmo disputerer for ph.d.-graden i helsevitenskap og vil offentlig forsvare avhandlingen:
"Experiences of frailty in rural Arctic Norway: A qualitative study with older adults and their significant others."
Avhandlingen er tilgjengelig her! / The doctoral thesis is available here!
Disputasen strømmes og et opptak vil være tilgjengelig i et døgn.
The defense will be streamed, and a recording of the disputation will be available for 24 hours.
Prøveforelesning over oppgitt emne starter kl. 10.15 / The trial lecture starts at 10.15
Tittel/Title: "Skrøpelighet hos eldre: fra ontologiske og epistemologiske antakelser til kunnskapsproduksjon."
Prøveforelesningen strømmes her / The trial lecture will be streamed here.
Disputasen starter kl. 12.15 / The defense starts at 12.15
Disputasen strømmes her / The defense will be streamed here
Populærvitenskapelig sammendrag av avhandlingen/ Summary of the thesis:
This thesis explores how older adults living alone in rural Arctic Norway experience frailty. Through interviews with older adults and their significant others, the study reveals that frailty is not solely about physical health but is also shaped by social relationships, environmental challenges, and personal resources.
The findings show that frailty is a dynamic condition that evolves and fluctuates over time and is often perceived as a natural part of aging. In rural Arctic contexts, unique factors such as long distances, harsh climates, and demographic changes, including the out-migration of younger generations, may affect experiences of frailty. Significant others play a crucial role in balancing the shifting needs of older adults but also face challenges related to distance and their own responsibilities.
The study highlights the importance of person-centered and context-sensitive care that considers both the life stories of older adults and the specific challenges of their environments. These insights can help improve support for older adults and their significant others, both in Arctic communities and beyond.
Veiledere/ Supervisors:
Hovedveileder/Main supervisor:
Professor Bodil Hansen Blix, Institutt for helse og omsorgsfag, Det helsevitenskapelige fakultet, UiT Norges arktiske universitet.
Biveileder/supervisor:
Professor Ann Karin Helgesen, Høgskolen i Østfold og professor II UiT
Bedømmelseskomité/Defensecomitee:
Professor Staffan Karlsson, Högskolan Kristianstad – 1. opponent.
Professor Siri Andreassen Devik, Nord universitet– 2. opponent.
Førsteamanuensis Marit Sørvoll, Institutt for helse og omsorgsfag, Det helsevitenskapelige fakultet, UiT Norges arktiske universitet – leder av komité.
Disputasleder/ Leader of defense:
Førsteamanuensis Lina Forslund, Institutt for helse og omsorgsfag, Det helsevitenskapelige fakultet, UiT Norges arktiske universitet.
When: 05.02.26 at 10.15–16.00
Where:
Auditorium Cortex, plan 7, MH Vest
Location / Campus: Digital, Tromsø
Target group: Employees, Students, Guests, Invited, Unit
Contact: Andrea Jennerwein
E-mail: andrea.jennerwein@uit.no