PROCARD – Patient-Reported Outcomes in Cardiology

Furthermore, we collaborate closely with a range of nationally and internationally recognized experts in both research projects and publications. This ensures that the research is rooted in current clinical issues and contributes with publications of high international quality to promote Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) as a professional and working life-oriented research institution.

The Patient-Reported Outcomes in Cardiology (PROCARD) research group was established in 2009 by Professor Tone M. Norekvål. The focus of this research group is related to the following main areas:

• Quality of life, self-reported physical and psychological health, health literacy, frailty, sleep, and delirium
• Adherence to lifestyle and treatment advice
• Satisfaction with the use of, and shared decision-making between healthcare services
• Healthcare personnel’s adherence to local and international guidelines

PROCARD investigates how patients experience continuity of care in primary and secondary healthcare services, and reasons for non-adherence to treatment advice. Many patients diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are unable to reduce known risk factors for CVD, and many find themselves unable to reach treatment goals regarding physical activity, smoking cessation, blood pressure, or cholesterol levels. 

PROCARD uses qualitative and quantitative methods, data from national health registries, and data from large national and international cohort studies to investigate how patients experience acute and critical illness, and how they live with CVD. Further, PROCARD performs systematic reviews and validates instruments for the collection of PROs. This forms the foundation for intervention studies that could later be used in patient treatment. 

PROCARD strives to improve resource utilization and shared decision-making, as well as to reduce potential gaps between research and clinical practice. Our proximity to the clinical field ensures that our research is based on relevant clinical research questions. 

Research activities

Research group leader