Annika Berglund

Annika Berglund

Affiliated to Research
Visiting address: Entrévägen 2, 18257 Danderyd
Postal address: D1 Kliniska vetenskaper, Danderyds sjukhus, D1 Neurologi Huvudvärk, 171 77 Stockholm
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About me

  • I am a Development Nurse at the Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital in Solna, where I also work clinically as a registered nurse within highly specialized stroke care. As a nurse and PhD with extensive experience in emergency and stroke care, I am driven by a commitment to improving healthcare through the integration of clinical practice, research, quality improvement, and implementation of new knowledge. I am motivated by working in complex healthcare environments where collaboration, innovation, and continuous quality improvement can contribute to better care and improved patient outcomes.

    At Karolinska University Hospital, I work with the development and implementation of stroke care at local, regional, and national levels. Through my clinical work in highly specialized stroke care, I maintain a close connection to patients' needs and the practical challenges of healthcare delivery.

    I serve as Chair of the National Working Group (NAG) for Stroke within Sweden's Knowledge Management System and as Chair of the Regional Stroke Council for Stockholm-Gotland. In these roles, I work with knowledge-driven healthcare improvement, implementation of national guidelines and person-centred care pathways, as well as quality improvement initiatives at regional and national levels. As part of this work, I have contributed to the development of two national care pathways for stroke and several national clinical guidance documents. A particular focus of my work is the development of integrated care pathways, strengthening patient and family involvement, and promoting more equitable stroke care.

    My research has primarily focused on the early phase of the stroke care pathway, including prehospital stroke care, prehospital triage and patient routing, acute stroke management, reperfusion therapies, and stroke unit care. In my doctoral thesis, I studied the prehospital identification and prioritization of stroke. This work contributed to the introduction of the highest emergency priority for suspected stroke at SOS Alarm and the implementation of the FAST test within the emergency dispatch and ambulance services in Stockholm. Subsequently, I have been involved in developing prehospital triage systems and patient routing strategies for suspected large vessel occlusion, including direct transportation to thrombectomy-capable stroke centres.

    My research interests include stroke systems of care, prehospital processes, person-centred care, health equity, rehabilitation, and the experiences of patients and their families throughout the continuum of care. My overall goal is to contribute to more accessible, effective, and equitable stroke care through research, education, and the implementation of evidence-based practice.

Research

  • My research focuses on stroke systems of care, prehospital stroke management, person-centred care, health equity, rehabilitation, and the experiences of patients and their families throughout the stroke care pathway. A central aim of my research is to improve access to high-quality, evidence-based stroke care and to promote equitable outcomes for all patients.

    Current research within our group investigates inequalities in stroke care and outcomes among individuals with Swedish and foreign backgrounds. Using data from the Swedish Stroke Register (Riksstroke), we examine differences in acute care, rehabilitation, and recovery after stroke. This work is complemented by qualitative interview studies exploring patients' and family caregivers' experiences of acute stroke care, rehabilitation, and the return to everyday life.

    I am also involved in a European research collaboration focused on the development, evaluation, and implementation of digital remote monitoring for patients with minor stroke and transient ischaemic attack (TIA, Hospital@Home). The project aims to support long-term follow-up, improve secondary prevention, and strengthen patient involvement through innovative digital health solutions.

    My overarching goal is to contribute to more accessible, effective, person-centred, and equitable stroke care through research, education, implementation science, and interdisciplinary collaboration across the continuum of care.

Teaching

  • Over the years, I have contributed to education and knowledge dissemination in the field of stroke, targeting healthcare professionals, patients, family caregivers, and the general public. Throughout my career, I have delivered numerous lectures and educational activities for undergraduate nursing students, specialist nursing students, registered nurses, and other healthcare professionals working in emergency and stroke care.

    I have also conducted a large number of educational sessions and lectures for ambulance personnel on the prehospital identification, prioritization, and management of patients with suspected stroke, as part of the implementation and development of stroke systems of care.

    In addition, I contribute to professional development and training initiatives in stroke care, focusing on acute stroke management, reperfusion therapies, stroke service organization, care pathways, and person-centred care.

    Beyond educating healthcare professionals, I have delivered lectures for patients, family caregivers, patient organizations, and senior citizens' associations to increase awareness and knowledge of stroke, prevention, rehabilitation, and recovery after stroke. My teaching is characterized by a close integration of clinical experience, research, and quality improvement, with the goal of translating new knowledge into improved care and better patient outcomes.

Articles

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Employments

  • Affiliated to Research, Department of Clinical Sciences, Danderyd Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, 2026-2028

Degrees and Education

  • Degree Of Doctor Of Philosophy, Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, 2015

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