Åsa Burström

My work is as an assistant professor and head of unit at the Department of Nursing (NVS, KI), where I also conduct research and teach at the Program of Nursing at a undergraduate and advanced level. 

In 2018 I defended my thesis: 'Transition from Child health care to adult health care for Adolescents with Congenital Heart Disease'. My ongoing research builds has its inspiration from these findings. My research interests focus on various aspects of health in adolescents with heart defects, as well as the experiences of symptoms in pregnant women with congenital heart disease (CHD).

Over the past decades, the primary research focus has been to ensure that children with CHD survive inte adulthood. Thanks to remarkeble advancements in surgury, medicine, and nursing, a majority of young people now rearch adulthood. However, this group of patient faces new opportunities and challenges, as many require continued medical follow-up and treatment throughout their adult lives. During their uppbringing, they need to learn about their heart disease, treatment needs, and how to manage their health to thrive. They require knowledge and understanding of their health to be able to actively participate in their care and make informed decisions. 

Previous research indicates that adolescents growing up with CHD often lack knowledge about their condition, treatment, ongoing care needs, and overall health, including sexual and reproductive health. Not having knowledge about sexual and reproductive health can have medical consequences, but it can also lead to unnecessary anxiety and fear.

My research focuses on studying how we can enhance adolescents’ knowledge of sexual and reproductive health. Another area of interest is exploring the experiences of pregnant women with CHD. 

My research interest is in health care transitions, knowledge about sexual and reproductive health in adolescents with heart disease, and pregnant women with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD). 

The current research, FREIA-CHD (FeMale Reproductive &

I have experience in education as a course coordinator in the Nursing Programs at both the first level and advanced levels. I have supervised students in degree projects at both the undergratuate and advanced levels. 

We created a course titled 'Health and illness During the Course of Adolescence', at the advanced level, for which I serve as the examinar.