Berit Johannessen

• Moi, Ellen Benestad; Skisland, Anne Valen -Sendstad; Haraldstad, Kristin; Johannessen, Berit; Rohde, Gudrun E. & Flateland, Sylvi Monika (2026). Communication and interaction between native-speaker Norwegian nurses and nurses with Norwegian as a second language in home-based care settings: a qualitative exploratory interpretive study. BMC Nursing. doi: 10.1186/s12912-026-04834-2. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Introduction: Language barriers between healthcare personnel can influence patient safety and result in inadequate follow-up and communication of the patient’s needs. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore how nurses with Norwegian as a first language (NFL) and nurses with Norwegian as a second language (NSL) experience communication and interaction with each other in home-based workplace settings. Method: The study involved in-depth interviews with 14 nurses: seven nurses with NFL and seven with NSL, and Braun and Clarke’s framework of reflexive thematic analysis were used. Results: Two main themes were identified: (1) the importance of mutual understanding in professional settings, with subthemes highlighting the need to double-check written communication and clarify oral exchanges; and (2) the value of social interactions among colleagues, emphasizing challenges posed by diverse cultural backgrounds and the necessity for clarification due to different native languages. Conclusion: This study underscores the communication challenges in interactions between nurses with NFL and NSL in home-based care. Misunderstandings related to limited language skills may pose a notable threat to patient safety. However, despite the language barriers, nurses with NFL and NSL show strong commitment to clarity and quality, and to working in a positive psychosocial work environment. These findings emphasize the need for organizational support, such as intercultural competence training and clear communication routines, to enhance collaboration and patient safety.

• Hovland, Olav Johannes & Johannessen, Berit (2025). Sykepleierstudenters refleksjoner over egen praksislæring på utveksling. Klinisk Sygepleje. ISSN 0902-2767. 39(4), p. 1–14. doi: 10.18261/ks.39.4.2. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  International experience through exchange contributes to developing know- ledge that cannot be developed through other measures or methods. Nursing students have several learning outcomes describing extensive knowledge in communication and knowledge about inclusion, equality and non-discrimination of different groups to ensure equitable services for all groups in society. This includes knowledge of the significance of cultural and linguistic background for understanding illness and ensuring equitable services. This study aimed to gain insight into students’ descriptions and reflections on learning outcomes from their exchange program in Tanzania. The method was content analysis of 64 reflection journals. The students expressed three learning outcomes: new perspectives when interacting with people from different cultural backgrounds, enhanced cultural understanding, and improved communication skills. The students described their experiences as challenging, but they had several oppor- tunities to encounter people with different cultural backgrounds, which contributed to new perspectives on how culture influences people’s daily lives and health.

• Hovland, Olav Johannes; Kininga, Neema Napeya & Johannessen, Berit (2025). Caregivers’ understanding of mental illness and their experience in caring for mentally ill individuals: A qualitative study among caregivers in Tanzania. International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences. 22. doi: 10.1016/j.ijans.2025.100850. Full text in Research Archive
• Frydenlund, Markus Hagen; Johannessen, Berit & Gundersen, Ellen Dahl (2024). Nyutdannede sykepleieres opplevelse av organisatorisk og psykososialt arbeidsmiljø i sykehus, i et arbeidshelseteoretisk perspektiv. Nordisk tidsskrift for helseforskning. ISSN 1504-3614. 20(2). doi: 10.7557/14.7186. Full text in Research Archive
• Rohde, Gudrun E.; Johannessen, Berit; Maaseide, Markus; Flateland, Sylvi Monika; Skisland, Anne Valen -Sendstad & Moi, Ellen Benestad [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2023). Being a nursing student during the coronavirus pandemic: a mixed methods study. BMC Nursing. 22(1). doi: 10.1186/s12912-023-01218-8. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background The COVID-19 pandemic led to major changes in people’s lives via protective strategies aimed at limiting the transmission of COVID-19, including social distancing, lockdowns, cancelled or limited leisure activities and tutorials and supervision for students taking place digital. All of these changes may have influenced students’ health and quality of life. Aim To describe and explore fear of COVID-19 and psychological distress, as well as general health and quality of life, among baccalaureate nursing students at 1 year into the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Johannessen, Berit; Flateland, Sylvi Monika; Haraldstad, Kristin; Skisland, Anne Valen -Sendstad & Rohde, Gudrun E. (2022). Being an ethnic minority nursing student- A meta synthesis. Journal of Professional Nursing. ISSN 8755-7223. 40(May-June), p. 111–121. doi: 10.1016/j.profnurs.2022.03.011. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Our society is characterized by a general globalization and has become more culturally diverse. This diversity is mirrored in nursing education. Purpose The purpose of the meta-synthesis is to identify and synthesize data from primary, qualitative studies of ethnic minority nursing students' experiences in a nursing program. Method Electronic databases, Medline, Embase, and CINAHL, were searched for studies published in English or Nordic languages from 1980 to February 2020. Results The search generated 1070 unique citations, of which 19 articles met the inclusion criteria. The included studies had a total sample size of 255 students, age range 19–50 years. The participants originated from Asia (65), Africa (53), South America (45), and Eastern Europe (17). Seventy-five students' origins were unknown. The meta-synthesis revealed that participants' experiences were characterized by four main themes: to understand and be understood; the importance of supportive relations; motivated but emotionally distressed; and conflicting cultural expectations. Conclusion Ethnic minority nursing students experienced challenges related to language, socialization, cultural awareness, and relations with educators and other students. To meet the students' needs and increase their graduation rates, educational institutions and supervisors should work to promote and facilitate their integration and provide a good learning environment.

• Alkhaled, Tariq; Rohde, Gudrun E.; Lie, Birgit & Johannessen, Berit (2022). Beyond challenges and enrichment: a qualitative account of cross-cultural experiences of nursing patients with an ethnic minority background in Norway. BMC Nursing. 21. doi: 10.1186/s12912-022-01102-x. Full text in Research Archive
• Moi, Ellen Benestad; Skisland, Anne Valen -Sendstad; Johannessen, Berit; Haraldstad, Kristin; Rohde, Gudrun E. & Flateland, Sylvi Monika (2022). Working as a nurse in community health services during Covid-19: a qualitative study. BMC Nursing. 21(1). doi: 10.1186/s12912-022-01141-4. Full text in Research Archive
• Alkhaled, Tariq; Rohde, Gudrun E.; Lie, Birgit & Johannessen, Berit (2022). Navigating the care between two distinct cultures: a qualitative study of the experiences of Arabic-speaking immigrants in Norwegian hospitals. BMC Health Services Research. 22, p. 1–11. doi: 10.1186/s12913-022-07833-6. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background During the past decades, there has been an increase in the number of immigrants to European and Scandinavian countries. This has challenged the health-care systems, which cater to the needs of patients despite their cultural and linguistic barriers, in these countries. Most studies on this topic have focused on the perspectives of health-care providers in delivering their service. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how hospitalized Arabic-speaking patients experienced their interaction with the Norwegian health-care system. Methods In-depth interviews with 20 participants and researcher’s participant observation were conducted to explore the idiosyncratic details and ascribed meanings that foreign-born patients attach to their everyday experience of the Norwegian health-care system. Thematic analysis was performed on the transcribed and translated versions of the in-depth interviews. Results The findings of this study indicated three interrelated core themes. Firstly, there exist challenges in understanding and being understood because of linguistic and cultural differences of newly migrated patients. Secondly, some patients missed the holistic and direct care available in their home countries. Finally, patients were satisfied with the Norwegian health-care system because of its compassion, care, and respect toward them as well as advanced health-care equipment. Conclusion Arabic-speaking patients in Norwegian hospitals experienced long waiting times and linguistic problems. Hence, a better and specialized interpreter service may resolve problems emanating from communication within the system and the subsequent delays in treatment. Compassionate care and the feeling of respect and love is the core strength of the Norwegian system as perceived by the patients.

• Ebitu, Anne Katrine Sandnes; Fegran, Liv; Haraldstad, Kristin; Johannessen, Berit; Chiduo, Mercy Grace & Hovland, Olav Johannes (2022). The banana project: A qualitative study of caregivers' and teachers' experiences of preschool children participating in a free banana school fruit scheme in rural Tanzania. BMJ Nutrition, Prevention and Health. doi: 10.1136/bmjnph-2021-000403. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Introduction Good nutrition is the foundation of sustainable growth and development among children. The United Nations aims to achieve food security and improve nutrition through its Sustainable Development Goal 2 - Zero Hunger. In close collaboration with local communities and authorities, the Tanga International Competence Centre, Tanzania, supports projects aimed at achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. One of their initiatives, The Banana Project, which is a free school fruit scheme, started in 2011 based on a recognised need for nutritional support among preschool children at a rural school in Tanga District. In the interest of improving nutrition, the free school fruit scheme provides one banana 5 school days a week to each child in the class. This study aimed to explore caregivers’ (parents and/or guardians) and teachers’ experiences with preschool children’s participation in the project, with a specific focus on nutrition and health. Methods This qualitative study was performed in 2017. A total of 16 semistructured indepth interviews with 14 caregivers and 2 teachers of the preschool children participating in the project were conducted. Data were analysed using a hermeneutic perspective. Results Caregivers and teachers of the preschool children participating in the intervention experienced that bananas (1) reduced children’s hunger and nutritional deficiency, (2) increased fruit intake and improved their appetite for other foods, (3) improved their physical health and provided energy, and (4) supported cognitive and socioemotional development. Conclusion These findings indicate that the banana intervention has several benefits to preschool children and has an impact on their families. To improve health and reduce the risk of malnutrition of children in rural Tanzania, The Banana Project can be an recommended as a simple, cost-effective and sustainable health and nutrition promotion initiatives.

• Rohde, Gudrun E.; Johannessen, Berit; Maaseide, Markus; Flateland, Sylvi Monika; Skisland, Anne Valen -Sendstad & Moi, Ellen Benestad [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2022). Baccalaureate nursing students’ experiences of how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced learning – a mixed method study. BMC Nursing. 21(1). doi: 10.1186/s12912-022-00955-6. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background The COVID-19 pandemic mandated the reconstruction of educational programs globally. For nursing students in need of practical learning and training as a part of their curriculum, the pandemic also caused restrictions and alterations in practical placements and limited access to simulation training at campuses. The aim of this study is therefore, to describe and explore how the COVID- 19 pandemic influenced baccalaureate nursing students’ experiences of learning and their social life as a student. Method We used a mixed method study design including quantitative data from one of the universities (University of Agder) from a national Norwegian survey of baccalaureate nursing students and qualitative data from focus-group interviews from the same university. The quantitative survey included 396 baccalaureate nursing students (response rate, 46%). We arranged five focus groups with a total of 23 students (15 females and 8 males). The students took part in one of the focus-group interviews. The quantitative data were analyzed using chi-square test for categorical data and ANOVA tests for continuous data, while the qualitative data were analyzed using Systematic Text Condensation and an editing analysis style. Results Most students (70%) were concerned about the quality of the education program. In clinical placement, 83% of students had cared for patients with confirmed COVID-19 or unclear COVID-19 status. The qualitative data revealed three main themes: missing the social dimension of learning; worries and challenges in clinical placement; and experiencing normal instructive days in clinical placement. The general picture emerging from our analysis is the importance of social interactions for learning. Conclusion As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, our findings of students’ worries about the quality of the education program and not reaching learning outcomes must be taken into consideration. Social interaction is considered crucial and fundamental for student learning. A follow-up study following baccalaureate completion is necessary to explore the consequences over time of disrupted education.

• Skorstad, Mette; Vistad, Ingvild; Fegran, Liv; Berntsen, Sveinung & Johannessen, Berit (2022). Nurse-led consultations reinforced with eHealth technology: a qualitative study of the experiences of patients with gynecological cancer. BMC Nursing. 21. doi: 10.1186/s12912-022-01104-9. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: During the last decade, the health care profession has moved toward personalized care and has focused on the diversity of survivorship needs after initial cancer treatment. Health care providers encourage empowering patients to participate actively in their own health management and survivorship. Consequently, we developed and piloted a new follow-up model for patients at a Norwegian hospital, referred to as the Lifestyle and Empowerment Techniques in Survivorship of Gynecologic Oncology (LETSGO) model. Using LETSGO, a dedicated nurse replaces the physician in every second follow-up consultation, providing patients who have undergone cancer treatment with self-management techniques that are reinforced with eHealth technology via a specially designed app. Encouraging behavioral change and evaluating the late effects of treatment and recurrence symptoms are central components of self-management techniques. In addition, the app encourages physical activity and positive lifestyle changes, helps identify recurrence-related symptoms, and provides reminders of activity goals. This study aims to investigate experiences with nurse-led consultations supported by eHealth technology among the patients who piloted the LETSGO intervention. Methods: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted to analyze the participants’ experiences with the LETSGO intervention after six to seven months. Results: The participants in the LETSGO pilot felt safe and well cared for. They thought the nurse was less busy than the doctors appear to be, which made it easy for them to share any cancer-related challenges. Many participants reported increased empowerment and confidence in recognizing symptoms of cancer recurrence, and participants who used the app regularly were motivated to increase their physical activity levels. However, the participants also experienced some limitations and technical errors with the app. Conclusions: Generally, the participants positively received the nurse-led consultations and eHealth technology, but an intervention study is required for further evaluation. In addition, the reported technical app errors should be resolved and tested prior to eHealth application implementation. Regardless, this study may be useful in planning personalized survivorship care studies.

• Johannessen, Berit; Fjellheim, Katrin Kristiansen; Jensen, Anita Kristin & Karlsen, Cecilie (2021). "Den dagen PC-en går i stykker, da har mye av min verden gått i stykker". En kvalitativ studie om bruk av seniorvennlig PC. Tidsskrift for velferdsforskning. ISSN 0809-2052. 24(4), p. 62–75. doi: 10.18261/issn.2464-3076-2021-04-05. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Sammendrag Den digitale utviklingen går raskt, og det er økende krav til digital kompetanse. Det er behov for digitale løsninger som ivaretar individuelle behov og funksjonsnedsettelser. Duka-PC er en PC som er utviklet spesielt for seniorer, med tanke på brukervennlighet og mulighet for individuell tilpasning. Hensikten med denne studien var å få kunnskap om hvordan seniorer benytter sin Duka-PC, og hvordan dette påvirker deres hverdag og livskvalitet. Studien har en fenomenologisk-hermeneutisk tilnærming. Vi gjennomførte semistrukturerte intervjuer med ni seniorbrukere av Duka-PC. Data ble analysert ved systematisk tekstkondensering. Funnene viser at Duka-PC bidro til mestring i hverdagen samt økt livskvalitet. Bruk av Duka-PC gav deltakerne mulighet for økt deltakelse i samfunnet. Støttetjenesten ble fremhevet som viktig for økt trygghet og mestring. Noen informanter gav uttrykk for bekymring for et samfunn som i økende grad blir digitalisert, og opplevde et økt digitalt skille. Brukervennlig PC (som Duka-PC) med en god støttefunksjon (support og opplæringsarenaer) kan bidra til økt livskvalitet, mestring og digital kompetanse blant seniorer.

• Fegran, Liv; Johannessen, Berit; Ludvigsen, Mette Spliid; Westergren, Thomas; Høie, Magnhild & Slettebø, Åshild [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2021). Experiences of a non-clinical set of adolescents and young adults living with persistent pain: a qualitative metasynthesis. BMJ Open. 11(4), p. 1–11. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043776. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Purpose Around 15%–30% of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) experience persistent or chronic pain. The purpose of this study was to synthesise evidence from qualitative primary studies on how AYAs in a non-clinical population experience living with persistent pain. Method A qualitative metasynthesis guided by Sandelowski and Barroso’s guidelines was used. The databases Medline, Embase, Cinahl, PsycINFO, Mednar and ProQuest were searched for studies from 1 January 2005 to 15 February 2021. Inclusion criteria were AYAs aged 13–24 years with first-hand experience of living with persistent, recurrent or episodic non-clinical pain in any body site. Pain associated with a medical diagnosis, malignant diseases, medical procedures or sport activities was excluded. Results Of 2618 screened records, data from nine studies conducted in a Western cultural context including 184 participants (127 female and 57 male aged 11–28 years) were analysed into metasummaries and a metasynthesis. Headaches was the most focused pain condition (n=5), while three of the studies did not specify type of pain. The participants’ experiences were characterised by (1) juggling pain with everyday life; (2) exploring sources of information to manage pain; (3) AYAs’ use of medication to find relief and (4) non-pharmacological strategies for pain relief. Conclusion These AYAs experience of how pain influences everyday life, and their striving to find relief from pain by support from family, friends, professionals and the Internet should be strongly respected. Public health nurses and other healthcare professionals encountering AYAs need to respect their pain experiences, and to support them in healthy coping strategies. Further studies on this issue are needed, especially research focusing on AYAs pain in exposed populations and AYAs from non-Western cultures.

• Illøkken, Kristine Engebretsen; Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Johannessen, Berit & Vik, Frøydis Nordgård (2021). Possible effects of a free school meal on school environment: The School Meal Intervention in Norway. Journal of the International Society for Teacher Education. ISSN 1029-5968. 25(1), p. 8–20. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Evidence suggests that a free school meal can improve children and adolescent diet, social environment, concentration, and school performance. This study aimed to investigate possible effects of a free, healthy school meal among students that usually eat packed meals on behavioral issues, inactiveness, self-efficacy, school enjoyment and classroom environment. A school meal according to the dietary guidelines was served to students in the intervention group (n=55) for one year. A control group consumed packed meals as usual (n=109). Students (10-12 years) responded to a questionnaire at baseline and after one year. We used linear regression analyses and did not find significant effects of a free school meal on behavioral issues (B= 0.01, p 0.86), inactiveness (B= -0.05, p 0.51), self - efficacy (B= -0.04, p 0.52), school enjoyment (B= 0.11, p 0.19) or classroom environment (B= -0.07, p 0.26). Methodological limitations might explain our lack of findings.

• Hovland, Olav Johannes & Johannessen, Berit (2021). Hvilken betydning har utveksling i studietiden hatt for sykepleiere i ettertid? Sykepleien Forskning. ISSN 1890-2936. 16. doi: 10.4220/Sykepleienf.2021.86982. Full text in Research Archive
• Hovland, Olav Johannes; Hole, Ane Kristina Falnes; Chiduo, Mercy Grace & Johannessen, Berit (2021). Experiences from cross-cultural collaboration in health campaigns in Tanzania: a qualitative study. Archives of Public Health. ISSN 0778-7367. 79(1), p. 1–8. doi: 10.1186/s13690-021-00730-0. Full text in Research Archive
• Illøkken, Kristine Engebretsen; Johannessen, Berit; Barker, Mary Elizabeth; Hardy-Johnson, Polly; Øverby, Nina Cecilie & Vik, Frøydis Nordgård (2021). Free school meals as an opportunity to target social equality, healthy eating, and school functioning: experiences from students and teachers in Norway. Food & Nutrition Research (FNR). ISSN 1654-6628. 65. doi: 10.29219/fnr.v65.7702. Full text in Research Archive
• Dalsmo, Ingrid Espegren; Haraldstad, Kristin; Johannessen, Berit; Hovland, Olav Johannes; Chiduo, Mercy Grace & Fegran, Liv (2021). “Now I Feel That I Can Achieve Something”: Young Tanzanian Women’s Experiences of Empowerment by Participating in Health Promotion Campaigns. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH). ISSN 1661-7827. 18(16). doi: 10.3390/ijerph18168747. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit; Høie, Magnhild; Haraldstad, Kristin; Helseth, Sølvi; Fegran, Liv & Westergren, Thomas [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2020). School nurses’ and teachers’ perceptions of pain in young immigrants living in Norway. International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care. ISSN 1747-9894. 16(1). doi: 10.1108/IJMHSC-01-2019-0005. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Purpose The number of adolescents experiencing pain is increasing. Pain has a major impact on several areas of daily living, such as function at school and school absenteeism, loss of appetite and socializing. One out of ten pupils in Norwegian schools is immigrants, and surveys have shown that immigrants suffer from poor health more often than the general population. The purpose of this study was to explore how school nurses and teachers experience pain in young immigrants in the school setting. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative design using focus group interviews was chosen for data collection. A total of 11 focus groups (17 school nurses and 25 teachers) consisting of school nurses and teachers in junior high schools (age: 13-16 years) in Southern Norway were conducted. Data were analyzed using a qualitative content analysis. Findings School nurses and teachers experienced communication of pain with young immigrants as characterized by cultural differences and language problems. Immigrants waiting for residency permits experienced pain more often than others. They also experienced that young immigrants often were absent from school and used pain as an excuse for not participating in classes, but this was not the case at the special school for immigrants. During Ramadan, they experienced that immigrant pupils had an increase of pain, especially headaches. Originality/value Culture affects the assessment and management of pain and different strategies may assist school nurses and teachers in their encounter with young immigrants with pain. There is a need for education in cultural competence among teachers and school nurses.

• Hustad, Jørn; Johannessen, Berit; Fossum, Mariann & Hovland, Olav Johannes (2019). Nursing students' transfer of learning outcomes from simulation-based training to clinical practice: A focus-group study. BMC Nursing. 18(1). doi: 10.1186/s12912-019-0376-5. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit; Syvertsen, Siri; Kersten, Christian & Berntsen, Sveinung (2019). Cancer-related fatigue: Patients’ experiences of an intervention at a green care rehabilitation farm. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. ISSN 1744-3881. p. 1–7. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2019.101062. Full text in Research Archive
• Årseth, Anne Lene; Torjussen, Eirik & Johannessen, Berit (2019). Hva hindrer unge voksne i å møte til rusbehandling? Sykepleien Forskning. ISSN 1890-2936. p. 1–17. doi: 10.4220/Sykepleienf.2019.76440. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2018). Hund som helsefremmende relasjon for mennesker med psykiske lidelser. In Berget, Bente; Krøger, Elsebeth & Thorød, Anne Brita (Ed.), Antrozoologi. Samspill mellom dyr og menneske. Universitetsforlaget. ISSN 9788215028538. p. 159–166. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2018). Besøkshund til eldre på sykehjem. In Berget, Bente; Krøger, Elsebeth & Thorød, Anne Brita (Ed.), Antrozoologi. Samspill mellom dyr og menneske. Universitetsforlaget. ISSN 9788215028538. p. 167–175. Full text in Research Archive
• Årseth, Anne Lene; Johannessen, Berit & Vederhus, John-Kåre (2018). No increase in in-patient detoxification completion rates following pre-hospital telephone intervention. Sykepleien Forskning. ISSN 1890-2936. p. 1–16. doi: 10.4220/Sykepleienf.2018.73348. Full text in Research Archive
• Lystad, Geir Ove & Johannessen, Berit (2018). Acupuncture and methylphenidate drugs in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a pilot study of self-reported symptoms. Complementary Medicine Research. ISSN 2504-2092. 25(3), p. 198–200. doi: 10.1159/000476064. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit; Helland, Sissel Heidi; Øverby, Nina Cecilie; Fegran, Liv & Bere, Elling (2018). "A bumpy road": Kindergarten staff experiences of participation in an intervention to promote healthy diets in toddlers. Appetite. ISSN 0195-6663. 127, p. 37–43. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2018.04.008. Full text in Research Archive
• Hovland, Olav Johannes & Johannessen, Berit (2018). Da begynte jeg å skjønne litt av det". Utvikling av kulturell kompetanse. Sykepleien Forskning. ISSN 1890-2936. doi: 10.4220/Sykepleienf.2018.73782. Full text in Research Archive
• Gundersen, Ellen Dahl & Johannessen, Berit (2018). What motivates arrangements of dog visits in nursing homes? Experiences by dog handlers and nurses. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. ISSN 1744-3881. 31, p. 104–110. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.02.007. Full text in Research Archive
• Høie, Magnhild; Haraldstad, Kristin; Rohde, Gudrun E.; Fegran, Liv; Westergren, Thomas & Helseth, Sølvi [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2017). How school nurses experience and understand everyday pain among adolescents. BMC Nursing. 16(1). doi: 10.1186/s12912-017-0247-x. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Pain problems are a rapidly growing health problem found among both children and adolescent, and about 15–30% have reported chronic pain problems. School nurses in Norway meet adolescents with various ailments, including pain. Yet research on how school nurses perceive the pain experienced by adolescents is limited. The aim of the present study was to explore how school nurses explain and experience the everyday pain of adolescents. A qualitative study with an explorative design comprising five focus group interviews. Each group consisted of three to five school nurses. Seventeen female school nurses in five junior high schools in Norway, age range 29–65 years participated. To cover the issues a semi structured interview guide was used. The transcribed text was analysed with qualitative content analysis. The experience of school nurses with adolescents’ pain in everyday life is mainly that pain is a social, physical, and psychological phenomenon. School nurses experienced that everyday pain is reflecting: 1) high expectations, 2) difficult relationships and traumatic experiences and 3) an unhealthy lifestyle. School nurses have ambivalent attitudes to medicalisation of pain. Despite of a biopsychosocial understanding of pain, the school nurses maintained referral practice of medical examinations, with the results that many adolescents became shuttlecocks in the health system. Although the school nurses´ were sceptical of the tendency towards medicalization in society, it appears that they actually help maintain this tendency.

• Engesland, Helene & Johannessen, Berit (2016). Nurses experiences by using heated humified high flow cannula to premature infants versus nasal continous positive airway pressure. Journal of Neonatal Nursing. ISSN 1355-1841. 22(1), p. 21–26. doi: 10.1016/j.jnn.2015.05.005. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit & Garvik, Gitte (2016). Experiences with the use of complementary and alternative medicine in nursing homes: A focus group study. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. ISSN 1744-3881. 23, p. 136–140. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.04.003. Full text in Research Archive
• Føreland, Anne Marit; Rosenberg, Lene & Johannessen, Berit (2016). Nurses' experiences using conventional overhead phototherapy versus fibreoptic blankets for the treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Journal of Neonatal Nursing. ISSN 1355-1841. 22(3), p. 108–114. doi: 10.1016/j.jnn.2016.01.001. Full text in Research Archive
• Rabben, Jannicke & Johannessen, Berit (2015). Å være pårørende når alternativ behandling tas i bruk i "kampen mot kreft". Nordisk tidsskrift for helseforskning. ISSN 1504-3614. 11(1), p. 104–121. doi: 10.7557/14.3483. Full text in Research Archive
• Ulleberg, Anne Margrethe & Johannessen, Berit (2015). Fysioterapeuters erfaringer med bruk av fysisk aktivitet til eldre deprimerte. Nordisk tidsskrift for helseforskning. ISSN 1504-3614. 11(2), p. 32–42. doi: 10.7557/14.3711. Full text in Research Archive
• Sjuls, Marianne & Johannessen, Berit (2015). Foreldres opplevelser i intensivavdelingen. Sykepleien Forskning. ISSN 1890-2936. p. 248–255. doi: 10.4220/Sykepleienf.2015.55027. Full text in Research Archive
• Hovland, Olav Johannes & Johannessen, Berit (2015). What characterizes Norwegian nursing students’ reflective journals during clinical placement in an African country? International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences. 2, p. 47–52. doi: 10.1016/j.ijans.2015.03.003. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit; Hovland, Olav Johannes & Steen, June Jacobsen (2014). Topics Norwegian Nursing Students are Concerned with during Clinical Placement in an African Country: Analysis of Reflective Journals. International journal for human caring. ISSN 1091-5710. 18(3), p. 7–14. doi: 10.20467/1091-5710-18.3.7. Full text in Research Archive
• Skjørestad, Siri Merete & Johannessen, Berit (2013). The relationship between persons with mental health problems and their dogs: A qualitative study within a nursing perspective. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice (JNEP). ISSN 1925-4040. 3(1), p. 130–137. doi: 10.5430/jnep.v3n1p130. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: There is an increasing number of people with mental health disorders in the Western world. The most common traditional therapies are conversational therapy and medications. One alternative to traditional therapies is Anthrozoology. Anthrozoology treats the interaction between people and animals, and it shows that animals can be a great contributor to human health and wellness. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine how people with mental health disorders experience owning a dog. Methods: The chosen design was qualitative, and the methods were interviews and observations of five informants with their dogs. The analysis was conducted with systematic text-condensation. Results: Four main categories emerged: 1. Increased social and physical activity. 2. Supporting relationship. 3. Increased responsibility. 4. Varied response from nurses. Conclusion: People suffering from mental health disorders experience a strong and healing attachment to their dogs. This can be explained by different theories. Nurses require knowledge of the dog's positive impact on people with mental health disorders.

• Johannessen, Berit; Hallandvik, Jan Erik & Steen, June Jacobsen (2013). Hvilke ønsker har eldre med ikke-vestlig minoritetsbakgrunn for sin alderdom i Norge? Nordisk tidsskrift for helseforskning. ISSN 1504-3614. 8(2), p. 30–44. doi: 10.7557/14.2408. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2013). How do nurses experience the use of aromatherapy with lavender in the care of residents with dementia suffering from disturbed sleep patterns? An action research study. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. ISSN 1744-3881. 19(4), p. 209–213. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2013.01.003. Full text in Research Archive
• Årseth, Anne Lene & Johannessen, Berit (2013). Opplevelsene av å få og leve med en psykiatrisk diagnose. Tidsskrift for psykisk helsearbeid. ISSN 1503-6707. 10(1), p. 25–35. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  I Norge er behandlere (leger og psykologer) pålagt å stille diagnose. Hensikten med studien som denne artikkelen bygger på, var å få innsikt i hvilke opplevelser mennesker har av å få og leve med en psykiatrisk diagnose. Funnene er basert på kvalitative intervjuer med fire deltakere som har hatt en psykiatrisk diagnose i fem år eller mer. Studien viser at å ha en psykiatrisk diagnose kan virke inn på hvordan man blir møtt og sett av andre fordi man kan bli objektivert. Samtidig viser den et gap mellom deltakernes opplevelser av seg selv og andres opplevelser av dem. Studien belyser viktigheten av hvilken holdning helsepersonell har til mennesker med psykiatriske lidelser, og hvor avgjørende det er at det blir lagt vekt på brukernes egne erfaringer og ressurser i behandlingen.

• Johannessen, Berit; Skagestad, Ingjerd Karin & Bergkåsa, Anne Mari (2011). Food as medicine in psychiatric care: Which profession should be responsible for imparting knowledge and use of omega-3 fatty acids in psychiatry. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. ISSN 1744-3881. 17(2), p. 107–112. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2010.08.001. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The effect of omega-3 fatty acids on depression is well documented. The purpose of this study was to determine if and how food is used as medicine in psychiatric care, especially how omega-3 fatty acids are used as a supplement in the treatment of depression. This is a pilot study with a qualitative design using questionnaires and interviews among nursing students, tutor nurses and psychiatrists. Three main categories emerged: 1. Nutrition is considered important but few evaluations are made. 2. There was a lack of knowledge of the effects of Omega 3. 3. There was an unclear divisions of responsibility among health personell. A change in knowledge paradigms and clarification of responsibility is called for if food-as-medicine is to take its true place in psychiatric care. It is also necessary to include CAM and holistic perspectives. Further research is needed to determine why health education and health workers do not focus on nutrition therapy in psychiatric care. Further research is also needed to reveal both the patients, the GPs and the CAM practitionaires knowledge and attitude to the use of dietary supplements.

• Johannessen, Berit (2011). Realization and Development of Self in CAM nurses and CAM Treatment: A qualitative study. International journal for human caring. ISSN 1091-5710. vol 15(2), p. 14–20. doi: 10.20467/1091-5710.15.2.14. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2009). Holisme i sygepleje, alternativ behandling og nyreligiøsitet. Klinisk Sygepleje. ISSN 0902-2767. 23(4), p. 22–33. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2009). Why do Norwegian nurses leave the public health service to practice CAM? Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. ISSN 1744-3881. 15(3), p. 147–151. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This paper explores a number of issues associated with the recent increase in nurses choosing to leave the Norwegian health care system in order to become independent practitioners of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). The paper suggests that in Norway, nurses perceive medical hegemony continues to persist. Nurses perceive restrictions in their ability to develop their professional roles and status. CAM would appear to offer many nurses, the opportunity to develop their clinical skills in an autonomous, egalitarian and more holistic environment

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• Johannessen, Berit (2008). Komplementær og alternativ behandling- en grunnbok for sykepleiere. Gyldendal Akademisk. Full text in Research Archive

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• Marthinsen, Gunhild Nordbø; Johannessen, Berit; Robstad, Anja Nastasja; Gundersen, Ellen Dahl; Andresen, Gunvor Skutlaberg & Sundby, Aleksander Hayes (2025). Terapihunder sprer trøst og glede på barneavdelingen | Sykepleien. Sykepleien. ISSN 0802-9768. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Barneavdelingen ved Sørlandet sykehus bruker terapihunder for å gjøre sykehusoppholdet lettere for barna. Også foreldre og ansatte merker den positive effekten av hundene.

• Haraldstad, Kristin; Johannessen, Berit; Gallefoss, Lisbeth; Blørstad, Eyvor & Nygaard, Hanna Skjelbred (2025). Ikke kutt helsesykepleierne i videregående skole. Full text in Research Archive
• Skisland, Anne Valen -Sendstad; Johannessen, Berit; Holm, Ida Helene Møller; Tingstveit, Kirsten Omholt & Skreosen, Tirza Elisabeth (2025). Dagposten gir pasienter med hjernekreft og pårørende et viktig pusterom. Sykepleien Forskning. ISSN 1890-2936. 113. doi: 10.4220/sykepleiens.2025.99743. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Pasienter med hjernekreft og pårørende får støtte, kunnskap og fellesskap gjennom et tverrfaglig dagtilbud. Tilbudet hjelper dem å leve best mulig i en krevende livssituasjon.

• Johannessen, Berit & Torsvik, Ragnhild (2025). Dagpost for pasienter med hjernekreft gir trygghet, fellesskap og mening. https://sykepleien.no/fag. doi: 10.4220/Sykepleiens.2025.99182. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2024). Hesteterapi- oversikt over forskning. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2024). kulturell kompetanse i sykepleie. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2024). kulturell kompetanse i sykepleie. Full text in Research Archive
• Skisland, Anne Valen-Senstad & Johannessen, Berit (2024). språkutfordringer i helsevesenet må tas på alvor. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit; Gundersen, Ellen Dahl; Kalhovd, Malin & Seljås, Cathrine T (2023). Støttende ledere og brukervennlige systemer kan bidra til at sykepleiere melder avvik. Sykepleien. ISSN 0039-7628. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit & Hovland, Olav Johannes (2023). kulturell kompetanse. Full text in Research Archive
• Knudsen, Else Christine Melbye; Johannessen, Berit & Bjørkkjær, Tormod (2022). En kvallitativ studie om opplevelsen av tiltaket gratis skolefrokost blant ansatte og elever i videregående skole i Agder. Full text in Research Archive
• Kiland, Charlotte; Haraldstad, Kristin; Hovland, Olav Johannes; Chiduo, Mercy Grace & Johannessen, Berit (2018). Protocol for a qualitative study of cross-cultural knowledge transfer among participants in a public health campaign. Full text in Research Archive
• Hovland, Olav Johannes & Johannessen, Berit (2018). Nursing students attending an exchange program at TICC and their development of cultural competence. Full text in Research Archive
• Hovland, Olav Johannes; Opsal, Anne & Johannessen, Berit (2018). How do authorities, health professionals and others perceive and experience the Norwegian nursing students' participation in a local health service in Tanzania? An ethnographic fieldwork. Full text in Research Archive
• Dalsmo, Ingrid Espegren; Haraldstad, Kristin; Johannessen, Berit; Hovland, Olav Johannes & Fegran, Liv (2018). School drop-outs and health-promotion campaigns in Tanga-region, Tanzania. Full text in Research Archive
• Ebitu, Anne Katrine S; Fegran, Liv; Hovland, Olav Johannes; Johannessen, Berit & Haraldstad, Kristin (2018). The Banana project- A qualitative study of parents and teachers experiences of pre-school children participating in a banana project at a pre-school in TZ. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2017). Dog visits to home dwelling elderly suffering from loneliness. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2014). Erfaringer ved innføring av aromamus med lavendel i omsorg for pasienter med demens som er plaget av uro og/eller forstyrret søvnmønster. In Jahr, Ernst Håkon; Nossum, Rolf Tomas & Storesletten, Leiv (Ed.), Agder Vitenskapsakademi Årbok 2013. Portal forlag. ISSN 9788283140200. p. 234–244. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2013). Nurses experiences using aromatherapy -Bergamot odor in care of elderly patients suffering from depression. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2013). Kosthold og psykisk helse. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2013). Kreft og mat. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2013). Dyreassistert terapi. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2013). Duft fra planter kan hjelpe mennesker med søvnproblemer og nedstemthet. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2012). Erfaringer med bruk av eteriske oljer/aromaterapi som støttetiltak for pasienter med demens. Nyhedsbrev for demenskoordinatorer. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2012). Why do registered nurses choose to offer Complementary and Alternative Medicine? International journal of genuine traditional medicine. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2012). Å være veileder på bachelornivå. Opplegg og gjennomføring. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2012). Komplementære og alternative behandlingsformer i sykepleie. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2012). Bruk av eteriske oljer i eldreomsorgen. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2012). bruk av eteriske oljer i arbeid med demente. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2012). Kosthold og Mental Helse. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2012). Komplementær og alternativ behandling i eldreomsorgen. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit & Skagestad, Ingjerd (2011). Mye helse i riktig mat. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2011). Prosjektarbeid i kommunehelsetjenesten. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2011). Uro og forstyrret søvnmønster: Erfaringer med aromaterapi. Demens og alderspsykiatri. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2011). Old non-western immigrants in Norway: their thoughts and desires bout aging and caring. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2011). Aloe Vera og Tetre i behandling av sår- erfaringer fra et prosjekt i kommunehelsetjenesten. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2010). Kvalitativ tilnærming og kvalitative metoder. Feltarbeid. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2010). Bruk av lavendel til demente pasienter med uro og forstyrret søvnmønster. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2010). FOOD AS MEDICINE IN PSYCHIATRIC CARE. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2009). Registered nurses quit nursing to offer CAM. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2009). Depresjon og demens - kan noe gjøres? Tidsskriftet sykepleien. ISSN 0806-7511. 97(9), p. 74–75. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2009). Komplementær og alternativ behandling- en støtte til pasientens egne selvhelbredende krefter. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2009). Forskning i sykepleie- fokus på kreft. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2008). CAM in a growing Norwegian. Global health action. ISSN 1654-9716. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2008). Complementary and alternative medicine, nursing and the norwegian public health service. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Title: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is expanding. Does this influence nursing education? Introduction. Due to changes in our society, there is a growing private market for CAM. More than every fourth Norwegian have used CAM and the number is growing. Studies show that nurses are more than average interested in CAM. The nursing education however is built upon state run guidelines and a biomedical understanding of disease and treatment. CAM have not been reflected in nursing curricula. From the year 2002 there is however one sentence in the national guidelines that give nursing education the opportunity to present CAM in their curricula. This abstract present how University of Agder, department of Nursing present CAM as part of their nursing curricula and their experience with this topic. Method Analyses of Nursing Curricula. Participant observation during teaching. Conversations with students and teachers. Results: *all students could attend 10 hours of teaching with special focus on CAM legislation, holistic nursing, acupuncture, homeopathy, reflexology and the use of TT. *students with special interest could choose a 1 week course in CAM. This week included oral presentations, demonstrations and a possibility to learn a simple technique in aromatherapy. *there were problems finding competent teachers and discussions on what kind of competence was needed. *some students were educated CAM practitioners before attending nursing. *there were problems finding good literature in Norwegian. Conclusions. Some few students did not see the relevance of CAM in nursing and did not attend the lessons. When students could choose among 5 different topics in their last semester, CAM were the most attracted course (70 out of 200 students selected this course). Students valued strongly the possibility to learn and practice aromatherapy. Courses for developing teachers competence are needed.

• Johannessen, Berit (2008). The concious use of touch for improwing health by mentally disabled. Full text in Research Archive
• Hovland, Olav Johannes; Gundersen, Ellen Dahl & Johannessen, Berit (2025). AURA: Experiences and impact from participating in Education Support Program/ Education Support Unit. Universitetet i Agder. ISSN 9788284273945. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Education is a fundamental human right and an investment in human capital that benefits individuals, families, communities, and nations. It influences various aspects of life, including attitudes, behaviour, health, income, and overall well-being. Access to education breaks the cycle of poverty by increasing employment and income opportunities. However, poverty and the lack of a supportive learning environment hinder educational attainment, especially in underprivileged families globally. Africa, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa, faces significant educational challenges, with low completion rates and high dropout rates. In Tanzania, the education system includes seven years of primary education and six years of secondary education. Despite compulsory and free primary education, issues such as insufficient infrastructure, poor policy implementation, and lack of political will affect the quality of education. The Education Sponsorship Program (ESP) and its successor, the Educational Support Unit (ESU), aim to increase the number of educated youths in the Tanga region of Tanzania. This program, supported by donors, provide financial and material support to vulnerable children, including orphans and those from low-income families, to help them attend and complete their education.

• Hovland, Olav Johannes; Gundersen, Ellen Dahl & Johannessen, Berit (2025). Experiences and impact from participating in Education Support Program/ Education Support Unit HAMA NGO (Hatua na Maendeleo) Tanga International Competence Centre (TICC) Tanga, Tanzania. AURA, Universitetet i Agder. ISSN 9788284273945. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit & Årseth, Anne Lene (2017). ): Drop out prosjektet. Delrapport 5. «Så jeg endte opp med å ikke dra dit da..» Frafall i overganger mellom ARA og private institusjoner. Pasienters erfaringer og årsaker til å ikke møte opp til innleggelse i privat institusjon. – en kvalitativ studie.ARAs forskningsserie 2017, nr. 32. ISBN nr: 978-82-91-19132-4. SSHF, ARAs forskningsserie. ISSN 9788291191324. Full text in Research Archive
• Støkken, Anne Marie; Johannessen, Berit; Krøger, Elsebeth & Thorød, Anne Brita (2015). • Rapport fra Samdyr-prosjektet: “SAMARBEID OM DYREASSISTERTE AKTIVITETER I EN INN PÅ TUNET-KONTEKST FOR RUSAVHENGIGE I ETTERVERN - ET FORPROSJEKT”. Universitetet i Agder. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2013). Ansattes erfaringer med aromaterapi med bergamotolje som komplementær behandling til eldre på sykehjem som lider av depresjon. uia. Full text in Research Archive
• Johannessen, Berit (2011). Bruk av aloe vera og tetre i behandling av sår. Et FOU prosjekt. Universitetet i Agder. Full text in Research Archive

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