vårdvetenskap

Vårdvetenskap, often translated as nursing science or care science, is an interdisciplinary field within health care that studies the provision of care, patient experiences, and the conditions that shape health outcomes. It integrates theories and methods from nursing, medicine, psychology, sociology, ethics, and health policy to understand how care is delivered, experienced, and improved.

Core concerns include patient-centered care, safety, quality, ethics, and equity. Researchers examine the caregiving relationship, communication, nursing interventions, care pathways, and the organizational and policy contexts in which care takes place. The aim is to generate knowledge that can guide clinical practice, education, and health system design.

Vårdvetenskap employs a range of research approaches, from qualitative studies on patient narratives and care interactions to quantitative studies on outcomes and service efficiency, as well as mixed-methods and implementation research. It emphasizes translating findings into practice, developing care models, guidelines, and educational strategies that support evidence-based decision making.

Educationally, vårdvetenskap is taught within nursing and health sciences programs and pursued at master's and doctoral levels. It underpins professional development, informs clinical guidelines, and supports the advancement of care quality and patient safety.

The field intersects with gerontology, pediatrics, psychiatry, public health, ethics, and health services research and is relevant across care settings, including hospitals, primary care, and community and home-based services. As such, it contributes to the ongoing refinement of how care is organized, delivered, and experienced.