Record number of doctoral degrees at Diakonhjemmet Hospital

In 2024, Diakonhjemmet Hospital set a new record with 14 doctorates in one year. This marks an important milestone in the work for better treatment and healthcare services. It is the result of a long-term commitment to research and innovation for the benefit of patients. Seven of the doctorates come from the REMEDY center. 

In the photo: Clinic Director Kjetil Bergsmark and Research Director Espen A. Haavardsholm say that the hospital has a strategy to conduct patient-centered research that improves clinical practice.

This year's 14 doctoral degrees cover a wide range of topics that are important for patient care at the hospital. Seven of them concern rheumatic diseases.

Leading research outside university hospitals

For many years, Diakonhjemmet Hospital has had the highest research activity among Norwegian hospitals outside of university hospitals.

Research Manager Espen A. Haavardsholm explains that research is an integral part of the clinic:

– We have a strategy to conduct patient-centered research that improves clinical practice. The fact that research is integrated into ordinary patient care helps ensure that patients quickly benefit from methods that research shows work best. High research activity is good news for them, he says.

He also emphasizes that the doctoral degrees not only provide concrete results, but also educate future researchers.

Research for better treatment

REMEDY contributes significantly to medical development and patient care. The goal is to make treatment more accurate and to strengthen the healthcare system to meet the challenges of the future.

Leader in rheumatic diseases

The Rheumatology Clinic, Outpatient Clinic and Research is a leader both nationally and internationally in the treatment and research of rheumatic diseases. The clinic also contributes to the development of guidelines for better patient care. The REMEDY Research Center is an important part of this environment.

With the rheumatology community's long research history, it is not surprising that seven of this year's 14 doctoral degrees from Diakonhjemmet Hospital come from this clinic.

“We have a seamless collaboration between research and clinical practice,” says Kjetil Bergsmark, head of the Department of Rheumatology, Outpatient Clinic and Research. He emphasizes that this is precisely what makes it possible to give patients rapid access to innovative treatment.

Seven doctorates from REMEDY

Research at Diakonhjemmet Hospital is therefore closely linked to practice.

Here is a brief presentation of REMEDY's seven doctoral degrees from 2024. Click on the links to read a larger story about each of them.

Clinic for Rheumatology, Outpatient Clinic and Research/REMEDY

• Master in Sports Science, Joachim Sagen, at REMEDY and Unit for Health Services Research and Innovation, Department of Rheumatology, Outpatient Clinic and Research: User participation leads to better healthcare services.
  • Patients who actively participate in their own treatment achieve better results.

• Physiotherapist, Elizabeth Mulrooney, at REMEDY and Clinic for Rheumatology, Outpatient Clinic and Research: Pain in hand osteoarthritis: The importance of biopsychosocial factors.
  • Biopsychosocial factors amplify the pain experience in hand osteoarthritis.

• Physiotherapist, Kristine Røren Nordén, at REMEDY and Unit for Health Services Research and Innovation, Department of Rheumatology, Outpatient Clinic and Research: High-intensity exercise provides major health benefits for patients with joint diseases.
  • High-intensity exercise is safe and provides major health benefits for patients with rheumatic diseases.

• Doctor in specialization, Ingrid Egeland Christensen, at REMEDY and Clinic for Rheumatology, Outpatient Clinic and Research: Increased risk of serious infections in inflammatory joint diseases.
  • Patients taking biologic drugs are at higher risk of serious infections.

• Doctor in specialization, Ingrid Jyssum, at REMEDY and Clinic for Rheumatology, Outpatient Clinic and Research: Treatment of patients with immunological inflammatory diseases.
  • The immune system affects the effectiveness of biological medicines and COVID-19 vaccines.

• Doctor in specialization,Marthe Kirkesæther Brun, at REMEDY and Clinic for Rheumatology, Outpatient Clinic and Research: Personalized treatment.
  • Doses of infliximab should be adjusted based on blood concentrations to avoid disease flares.

• Doctor in specialization, Marthe Gløersen, at REMEDY and Clinic for Rheumatology, Outpatient Clinic and Research: Pain and pain sensitization in people with hand osteoarthritis.
  • Body mass index and pain sensitization are associated with pain in hand osteoarthritis.