Caring Science

Research in caring science aims to understand, explain, and theorize issues that arise in connection with health, illness, and disease, as well as their significance for individuals, groups, and society.

Our focus is on health and well-being in various caregiving contexts throughout all stages of life, from birth to the end of life. Central perspectives concern how healthcare can support individuals and their loved ones in an ethical and dignified manner.

The goal of caring science research is to generate new knowledge, develop methods and theories, and contribute to both evidence-based and experience-based practice. The research integrates both theoretical and practical perspectives and is based on a holistic view of human beings and caregiving.

Healthcare Ethics

An important subfield within caring science is healthcare ethics. There is a growing societal interest in highlighting ethical issues related to healthcare, particularly in light of medical and technological advancements, strengthened patient rights, and an increasing demand for care in an aging population. These factors bring to the forefront questions about priorities, responsibility, relationships in care, as well as ethical norms and values.

Healthcare ethics addresses both practical issues in everyday healthcare and more theoretical considerations, such as questions of autonomy, integrity, justice, dignity, and the professional responsibilities of healthcare personnel toward patients and their relatives. As a research field, healthcare ethics contributes to a deeper understanding of the ethical dimensions of caregiving, thereby strengthening the foundation for an equitable, safe, and ethically sustainable healthcare practice.