Susan Sommerfeldt, PhD, MN, BScN, RN

Email

ss13@ualberta.ca

My research and teaching is centred in exploring healthcare teams, how they function and what that means to patients. 

My interest in interprofessionalism emerged in my Masters of Nursing work highlighting inter-disciplinary approaches to Developmental Coordination Disorder in children. Doctoral research explored interprofessionalism and relational work in inter-disciplinary healthcare teams. Utilizing arts-informed methodology, I explored team relationships using applied theatre methods, specifically Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed.

My current research includes a research creation project that produced a mini-documentary about healthcare workplaces during the COVID-19 pandemic (SSHRC funded). Two ongoing research projects include using arts-based research exploring HIV stigma in school-age children in Uganda (CIHR funded) and exploring intergenerational trauma and community solutions using Theatre for Living in northern Uganda (SSHRC funded). Using mindfulness in a healthcare organization is currently in the analysis stage (SSHRC funded). 

Other research experience includes a research project that established interprofessional clinical learning units in Edmonton area healthcare facilities. I was involved with Dr. Judy Mill’s project investigating HIV diagnosis and care of Canadian Aboriginal youth and Dr. Beverley O’Brien’s research program involving implementing midwifery services in Alberta and an institutional ethnographic approach in describing rural and remote birth choices available to Alberta families.

I have presented lectures and workshops internationally in Germany, China, UK, USA, Brasil, Australia, and Thailand.

I have provided guest lectures about art-based research in health research and community health nursing.