Lin Eik Ulvøy

• Ulvøy, Linn Eik; Rugkåsa, Jorun; Jørgensen, Trine Møgster; Høymork, Solveig Helene & Häikiö, Kristin (2026). Encounters between people with mental health and/or substance use problems and ambulance clinicians: a qualitative interview study in Norway. BMC Psychiatry. 26, p. 1–11. doi: 10.1186/s12888-026-08546-4. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: Interactions between ambulance clinicians and people with mental health and/or substance use problems are frequent, and international studies show that these encounters are often shaped by stigma, power dynamics and challenges to patient autonomy. However, there is limited research exploring patients’ experiences of ambulance services in the Norwegian context. This study addresses this knowledge gap. Methods: This qualitative study was based on in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 23 people with mental health and/or substance use problems recruited from primary and specialized healthcare services and service user organizations. The data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, with input from a multidisciplinary stakeholder group throughout the research process. Results: Participants reported varied experiences in their encounters with ambulance clinicians. Prior interactions with other healthcare services strongly shaped their expectations of, and willingness to seek, emergency care. While some described professional and reassuring care, others experienced patronizing attitudes toward conditions perceived as self-inflicted. Several participants also reported inadequate physical health assessments and treatment, and many felt excluded from decision-making processes due to limited information, involvement, and respect. These experiences influenced their sense of safety, autonomy, and trust in emergency services. Conclusions: In Norway, people with mental health and/or substance use problems described several challenges in their encounters with ambulance services, including stigma, patronizing attitudes, inadequate physical healthcare, and limited patient involvement. These findings highlight the need for improved competence in mental health and substance use and clearer communication practices to promote more equitable and respectful ambulance care.

• Leonardsen, Ann-Chatrin Linqvist; Westmark, Fredrik; Syversen, Kjell Gunnar & Ulvøy, Lin Eik (2024). A Brief Report of Response Team Members' Perspectives on an Interteam Full-Scale Mass Casualty Incident Exercise in Norway. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness. ISSN 1935-7893. 18, p. 1–5. doi: 10.1017/dmp.2024.158. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Introduction A mass casualty incident (MCI) is unpredictable and involves many casualties at the same time and place. This brief report will present the results from an evaluation a full-scale MCI exercise, aiming to increase preparedness for such events, from the perspectives of future health-care professionals, as well as personnel in various emergency teams taking part in MCI response. Methods All participants in a 2-day, full-scale MCI exercise (N = 206) were invited to participate in an investigator-developed survey. Results In total, 124 participants (60.2%) responded to the questionnaire. Most of the respondents were satisfied with the information and frames of the full-scale MCI exercise. Based on their experiences, over half of the respondents perceived that the county ambulance, police, and fire departments were well prepared in case of an MCI in the future. Reported areas of improvement were specifically related to communication lines and triage. Conclusion Weakness in communication lines and triage were assumed a threat to effective handling of MCIs. However, further studies are needed to decide the content needed in MCI exercises to effectively increase regional preparedness for such events.

• Leonardsen, Ann-Chatrin Linqvist; Helgesen, Ann Karin; Ulvøy, Lin Eik & Grøndahl, Vigdis Abrahamsen (2021). Prehospital assessment and management of postpartum haemorrhage– healthcare personnel’s experiences and perspectives. BMC Emergency Medicine. 21(98). doi: 10.1186/s12873-021-00490-8. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  <i>Background</i> - Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a serious obstetric emergency, and one of the top five causes of maternal mortality globally. The most common causes of PPH include uterine atony, placental disorders, birth trauma and coagulation defects. Timely diagnosis and early management are critical to reduce morbidity, the need for blood transfusion or even mortality. External, manual aortic compression (AC) has been suggested as an intervention that reduce PPH and extend time for control of bleeding or resuscitation. This procedure is not commonly utilized by healthcare personnel. The incidence of home-births is increasing, and competence in PPH assessment and management is essential in prehospital personnel. The objective was to explore prehospital personnel’s competence in PPH and AC, utilizing different tools.<br><br> <i>Methods</i> - The study was conducted in a county in South-eastern Norway, including five ambulance stations. All prehospital personnel (<i>n</i> = 250) were invited to participate in a questionnaire study. The questionnaire included the PPH self-efficacy (PPHSE) and PPH collective efficacy (PPHCE) tools, as well as tool developed utilizing the Delphi technique. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the quantitative data, while quantitative content analysis was used to analyse free-text responses.<br><br> <i>Results</i> - A total of 87 prehospital personnel responded to the questionnaire, 57.5% male, mean age 37.9 years. In total, 80.4% were ambulance workers and/or paramedics, and 96.6 and 97.7% respectively reported to need more education or training in PPH. Moreover, 82.8% reported having managed patient(s) with PPH, but only 2.9% had performed AC. Prehospital personnels’ responses varied extensively regarding knowledge about what PPH is, how to estimate and handle PPH, and how to perform AC. Mean self-efficacy varied from 3.3 to 5.6, while collective efficacy varied from 1.9 to 3.8.<br><br> <i>Conclusions</i> - This study indicates that prehospital personnel lack knowledge about PPH and AC, due to various responses to the developed questionnaire. Even though AC is an acknowledged intervention in PPH, few participants reported that this was utilized. Our findings emphasize the need for education and training in PPH and PPH handling generally, and in AC specifically.

View all works in NVA

• Ulvøy, Lin Eik (2025). AmbulanseForum. Full text in Research Archive
• Ulvøy, Lin Eik (2025). EMS Congress 2025. Full text in Research Archive
• Ulvøy, Lin Eik (2025). Samhandlingskonferanse Prehospitalt psykisk helsearbeid. Full text in Research Archive

View all works in NVA