InteRSurg Research Conference 2026: Research that makes a difference for children and families

What can contribute to better treatment, less pain, and improved follow-up care for children and families? This was a recurring theme as healthcare professionals, researchers, and students gathered for this year’s InteRSurg Research Conference at Oslo University Hospital.

The conference brought together nurses, physicians, researchers, and students from across the Nordic region for a day of professional learning, knowledge sharing, and engaging discussions across disciplines and professions.

Tom Hemming Karlsen, Head of Research in the Division of Surgery and Specialized Medicine, at Oslo University Hospital, opened the conference by highlighting the importance of strong research environments and interprofessional collaboration.

From research to better care

Throughout the day, research spanning the entire patient journey was presented, covering topics from diagnostics and surgery to pain management, rehabilitation, and psychosocial support.

Andreas Lødrup presented research on neurovascular injuries associated with forearm fractures in children. His work challenges the traditional “wait and see” approach and demonstrates how early diagnosis and treatment can be crucial for preserving function and quality of life.

Svend Vinje highlighted the development and management of scoliosis in children with cerebral palsy, emphasizing the importance of early detection and structured follow-up in preventing serious complications.

Ulrikke Straume Wiig presented work from a Nordic interdisciplinary research group investigating abusive head trauma. The research aims to strengthen the evidence base in a field that has received increasing international attention in recent years.

Håkon Endal presented research on nutritional challenges in children undergoing leukemia treatment. By analyzing national data, the project explores how disease and treatment affect growth and nutritional status throughout the treatment period.

Becoming better at meeting the needs of children, adolescents, and families

Another clear theme throughout the conference was how healthcare services can better address the needs of children, adolescents, and their families.

Kristin Billaud Feragen presented findings from European research on the psychosocial follow-up of children, adolescents, and adults with craniofacial conditions and their families. Her work highlights the importance of addressing both medical and psychosocial needs throughout childhood and adolescence.

Nina Lindberg shared research on infant feeding and the early follow-up of families of children born with cleft lip and palate. She highlighted parents’ need for information, support, and coping strategies during a challenging period of their lives.

Signe Olsbø presented research on health literacy among parents of children with congenital colorectal conditions. The project explores how healthcare services can provide better support to families living with complex treatment pathways.

A shared focus on pain and the child’s experience

This year’s conference placed particular emphasis on pain and children’s experiences within healthcare services.

Professor G. Allen Finley, one of the world’s leading researchers in pediatric pain management, delivered the conference’s first keynote lecture. He demonstrated how hospitals can systematically prevent unnecessary pain and distress in children and introduced the principles of the ChildKind initiative, which promotes more child-friendly healthcare services.

The second keynote speaker, Stefan Lundeberg from Karolinska University Hospital, provided insights into current knowledge on pediatric pain management. He presented experiences with methadone in postoperative pain treatment and clonidine in regional anesthesia, while also addressing the unique challenges of conducting research on pharmacological pain management in children.

Together, the two keynote presentations underscored the importance of understanding, preventing, and treating pain in children and adolescents.

Patient involvement and new solutions

Several projects demonstrated how children, adolescents, and parents are increasingly involved in the development of future healthcare services.

Maria Solberg Knudsen presented her work on developing a national tool for measuring adolescents’ experiences with hospital care.

Marthe Østberg shared findings from her research on procedural restraint in children. Through co-creation with users and healthcare professionals, interventions are being developed to help prevent such situations.

Elin Hjorth Johansen presented research on HOBS, a digital follow-up solution designed to support parents of infants with congenital heart disease after being discharged from hospital.

Eirik Gulseth highlighted the importance of patient-reported experiences and quality of life as key sources of knowledge for the ongoing development of healthcare services.

An important meeting place for professional development

The conference was about more than research results. It also created opportunities for professional discussions, new collaborations, and the exchange of experiences across professions and hospitals.

Among the participants was the current cohort of the Nordic Continuing Education Program in Pediatric Anesthesia for nurse anesthetists (NUBA).

The combination of research, clinical practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration is exactly what we hope will continue to define the InteRSurg Research Conference.

Across the diverse range of topics presented throughout the day, several common themes became evident: early identification of challenges, prevention of pain and complications, closer follow-up of children and families, and the development of services based on users’ experiences. We are already looking forward to next year’s conference.

Links:

Conference program 2026 (PDF)

The Interprofessional Research group of children’s Surgical department (InteRSurg)

Photos from the conference:

 
Networking: