Gunilla Björling

Gunilla Björling is affiliated researcher and teacher at Karolinska Institutet, NVS.

She is also professor of Health and Care Sciences and Docent in Technology in Health at the Department of Nursing, School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University and Professor of Nursing Science at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University (KCMC) with a demonstrated history of working in research. Skilled in Clinical Research, Lecturing, Science, and Teaching.

Gunilla has a strong educational focus with a Doctor of Medicine (PhD) focused in Anaesthesia- and Intensive Care Nursing from Karolinska Institutet. She has an employment as professor at Södertälje Hosptial at the Intensive care, Operation and Anaesthesia Department, Region Stockholm.

Dr Björling’s research area focuses mainly nursing care in high technological environments. She investigates the impact of various medical devices used in health care have on the patient. This includes how the material in the medical technical products is affected by patient wear and the inner body environment, the correlation with complications and infection, or how that affects the patient’s quality of life. And are there better materials that can be used and in what way? She is currently a project- and research leader in a multidisciplinary collaborative project including researchers from other universities and hospitals in Europe in technology and health. The research the group conducts within the network is unique and explorative. The understanding of the material in medical devices which is actually inserted into the body and how affects the person living with the device is not always clear to those who work in the healthcare industry, nor to the companies that manufacture the products. It is easy to stigmatize the patient due to their illness or need, and it is extremely important to approach the patient with open eyes and think beyond the disease. The research group's work, with a focus on materials and patient-centred care within critical care, has been greatly appreciated due to its innovative and multidisciplinary approach. GB also conducts research in the field of digitalization and health, focusing on dependence on digital platforms, together with researchers at Jönköping University. She also has several projects conducted with doctoral students in Tanzania, focusing on quality of life in cancer and health-promoting strategies.