Creating digital solutions for a better patient experience – Maria Brovall is passionate about helping the seriously ill

Maria Brovall had always known that she wanted to be a nurse. As a recent graduate, a neighbour who worked in oncology encouraged her to go there. "I think you can get a job there if you're up to it, working with cancer is difficult and challenging," said the neighbour. Maria dared to take the plunge and she's glad she did.

"Oncology care involves so much more than caring for a patient with a disease; you care for and get to know a family and that's a privilege," said the senior consultant at Sahlgrenska Hospital in Gothenburg on her first day on the job. This is a statement she herself later agreed with. 

“Oncology care involves so much: sadness, joy, challenges and, above all, lessons about life and what is important in life,” said Maria Brovall, who remained in the field for 23 years.

• Maria Brovall will give her inaugural lecture 9 May 10:30 in C203, house Balder. 
  The lecture is held in Swedish.

On behalf of patients 

In her last years, she worked as a research nurse in clinical trials of new cancer drugs. She saw how they prolonged the lives of seriously ill patients – a result that was hailed at international conferences. 

“But those of us who met the patients knew that the last days of their lives were often associated with severe symptoms and suffering, and nobody talked about it. It sparked my interest in healthcare research and became my gateway to academia.

Acquiring knowledge and tools to advocate for patients as a nurse and researcher became the gateway to her doctoral studies and her doctoral project "Experience of adjuvant treatment in postmenopausal women with breast cancer – health-related quality of life, symptom experience, stressful events and coping strategies". 

Aims to improve people's experiences of health and illness

Maria Brovall completed her doctorate in 2008 with the aim of working both clinically and academically, which she did for two years before finally starting full-time at the University of Skövde. The patient focus has characterised her work since the beginning.

“Over the years, my research has focused on advancing Caring Science through a holistic and patient-centred approach. I strive to understand and improve individuals' experiences of health and illness, with special emphasis on patients' and relatives' safety and participation in care decisions.”

Apps create added value for patients 

In this work, digitalisation and co-creation have come to play a central role, she has led and leads several projects to develop various digital tools both for patients with breast cancer and for nursing students. One example of her research is a completed doctoral project where the app "My Radiation Therapy" provides an opportunity for patients to ask questions to and receive answers from a virtual nurse, and also to make a virtual visit to the radiation therapy in preparation for the upcoming treatment.

“In cancer care, waiting times for radiotherapy are often very long in many places. We saw the challenge that if we could somehow help make this pointless wait for patients feel a little more meaningful, then of course we would.” The project is being evaluated by one of her doctoral students who will defend her thesis in October.

Another project is the DIBH mobile app, which together with a sensor band around the chest will be used to train deep breathing techniques at home for upcoming radiotherapy for left-sided breast cancer – a technical solution requested by the healthcare system itself. And a third is the development of a generative AI tool that allows nursing students to mass-train on existential conversations with patients and family members.

Co-creation brings sustainability

A common thread through her research is co-creation, the projects are run together with patients, relatives and students.

“It is important that the target group is involved all the way through the projects, that they are involved in the design of the project content and understand the digital features. It should be as simple as possible and not be an extra burden but add value. Working person-centred and in collaboration with the target groups is a model that creates participation and sustainability.”

The aim is for the results of the projects to live on after the projects have ended, as has happened so far with the radiotherapy app, for example, which the region has taken over ownership and management of.

“It feels very rewarding. For me, it is very important that my research not be put on a shelf. I want to devote myself to practically useful research with a direct clinical connection, it should never be far between academia and the clinic,” said Maria Brovall.

Want to be a role model

Benefit to society is a guiding principle and her thoughts constantly revolve around how knowledge from her work can be implemented in teaching and care and lead to improvements. Through the new professorial role, she also aims to create good conditions for colleagues' development.

 “I want to promote other junior researchers and be a role model. It feels fun, challenging and very exciting,” said Maria Brovall.

Read more
Maria Brovall’s Researcher Profile
More research in the field of the Human Perspective in Care
Read more about Academic Ceremony