Ingunn Björnsdottir

• Christensen, Sofie; Björnsdottir, Ingunn; Lauritzen, Fredrik & Gjelstad, Astrid (2026). Anti-doping awareness among community pharmacists in Norway: a study using a simulated patient. International Journal of Pharmacy Practice (IJPP). ISSN 0961-7671. 34(2), p. 140–146. doi: 10.1093/ijpp/riaf128. Full text in Research Archive
• Christensen, Sofie; Gjelstad, Astrid; Björnsdottir, Ingunn & Lauritzen, Fredrik (2024). Medicalization of Sport? A Mixed-Method Study on the Use of Medications in Elite Ice Hockey. Sports. 12(1). doi: 10.3390/sports12010019. Full text in Research Archive
• Lehnbom, Elin C.; Rakicevic, Aleksandar; Skjold, frode; Svendsen, Kristian; Björnsdottir, Ingunn & Andersson, Yvonne Gerd [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2024). Tidsbruk i publikumsavdelinger på norske sykehusapotek – en tids- og bevegelsesstudie. Norsk Farmaceutisk Tidsskrift (NFT). ISSN 0029-1935. 1, p. 26–32. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Hensikt - Å kvantifisere tiden som apotekpersonell i publikumsavdelingen på to sykehusapotek brukte på ulike arbeidsoppgaver, hvor disse oppgavene ble utført og hvem de ansatte interagerte med.<p> <p>Materiale og metode - Apotekpersonell ble observert av ekstern observatør i en tids- og bevegelsesstudie. Informasjon om hvilken arbeidsoppgave, hvor og hvem disse oppgavene ble utført med ble registrert med tidsmålingsverktøyet WOMBAT (Work Observation Method By Activity Timing). Resultatene ble analysert deskriptivt.<p> <p>Resultater - 12 farmasøyter og ti apotekteknikere ble observert i 228 timer. Farmasøyter brukte mesteparten av tiden på å ekspedere legemidler (28,7 %) multitasket mest under rådgivning til kunder ved reseptekspedering (43,3 ganger per time), og ble avbrutt hyppigst ved resepthåndtering (2,2 ganger per time).<p> <p>Apotekteknikere brukte også mest tid på reseptekspedering (27,1 %), multitasket mest når de ga informasjon til kunder (71,2 ganger per time) og ble avbrutt hyppigst ved varehåndtering/logistikk (2,2 ganger per time). Farmasøyter og apotekteknikere brukte nesten 50 % av tiden sammen med kunder, men ga bare veiledning i respektive 13,2 % og 12,0 % av tiden.<p> <p>Konklusjon - En stor del av tiden brukes i kundekontakt, men relativt lite tid brukes på veiledning. For å sikre trygg legemiddelbruk og tilby flere helsetjenester i norske apotek bør personalsammensetningen og oppgavefordelingen gjennomgås.

• Christensen, Sofie; Gjelstad, Astrid; Björnsdottir, Ingunn & Lauritzen, Fredrik (2024). Motivations for Using Dietary Supplements in Elite Ice Hockey—Controlling Weight and Enhancing Performance. Nutrients. 16(16). doi: 10.3390/nu16162667. Full text in Research Archive
• Gjelstad, Astrid; Herlofsen, Tine Marie; Bjerke, Anne-Linn; Lauritzen, Fredrik & Björnsdottir, Ingunn (2023). Use of pharmaceuticals amongst athletes tested by Anti-Doping Norway in a five-year period. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. 5. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2023.1260806. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Introduction The aim of the study was to map the use of pharmaceuticals by Norwegian athletes registered on doping control forms (DCFs) in a five-year period to examine general and some class specific use of pharmaceuticals across sports and athlete levels. Method Anonymous data from DCFs collected in 2015-2019 were manually entered into a database using the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) system for classification of the pharmaceuticals. Variables entered were year of control, gender, age group, athlete level, sport, test type, nationality, and pharmaceuticals (and dietary supplements) used. Results Pain killers in the ATC groups M01 A (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - NSAIDs) and N02 B (other analgesics), and anti-asthmatics in ATC groups R03 A and R03 B were the most frequently used pharmaceuticals. National level athletes reported more use of pharmaceuticals (1.4 ± 1.7 pharmaceuticals per form) than recreational level athletes (0.9 ± 1.2). The highest proportion of DCFs containing information about at least one pharmaceutical were found in speed skating (79.1%), alpine skiing (74.0%), rowing (72.4%) and cross-country skiing (71.7%). Painkillers were most frequently used in muscular endurance sports (30.4% and 21.2 % for M01A and N02 B, respectively) and ball and team sports (17.9% and 17.0%). Use of hypnotics was reported from ice-hockey players and alpine skiers in around 8% of the cases. Coclusion Use of anti-asthmatics was most often reported amongst athletes specially exposed to cold, chemicals and heavy endurance training. Athletes in specialized sports requiring high levels of strength and/or endurance reported a higher use of pharmaceuticals out-of-competition compared to in-competition, while there was no such difference in complex sports, such as team, gymnastic, aiming and combat sports.

• Björnsdottir, Ingunn; Granås, Anne Gerd; Bradley, Amanda & Norris, Pauline (2019). A systematic review of the use of simulated patient methodology in pharmacy practice research from 2006 to 2016. International Journal of Pharmacy Practice (IJPP). ISSN 0961-7671. 28(1), p. 13–25. doi: 10.1111/ijpp.12570. Full text in Research Archive
• Svensberg, Karin Anna Evelina; Brandlistuen, Ragnhild Eek; Björnsdottir, Ingunn & Sporrong, Sofia K (2018). Factors associated with pharmacy students' attitudes towards learning communication skills – A study among Nordic pharmacy students. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy. ISSN 1551-7411. 14(3), p. 279–289. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2017.03.055. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Introduction: Good communication skills are essential for pharmacy students to help patients with their medicines. Students' attitudes towards communication skills learning will influence their willingness to engage in communication training, and their skills when dealing with patients later on in their professional life. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore Nordic pharmacy students' attitudes to communication skills learning, and the associations between those attitudes and various student characteristics. Method and materials: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted in 11 Nordic pharmacy schools between April 2015 and January 2016. The overall response rate for the final study population was 77% (367 out of 479 students). Pharmacy students who had fulfilled all mandatory communication training and most of their pharmacy practical experience periods were included. The communication skills attitudes scale was the main outcome. Linear regression models were fitted with the outcome variable and various student characteristics as the predictors, using generalized estimating equations to account for clustering within pharmacy schools. Results: Nordic pharmacy students in general have moderately positive attitudes towards learning communication skills. Positive attitudes towards learning communication skills among pharmacy students were associated with being female (βadjusted 0.42, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.63, p < 0.001), following a newer pharmacy training program (βadjusted 0.81, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.98, p < 0.001), having higher self-rated need for communication skills improvement (βadjusted 0.50, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.71, p<0.001) and believing one’s communication skills are not the result of personality (βadjusted −0.24, 95% CI −0.44 to −0.04, p=0.017). Conclusion: The study provides important information for faculty members responsible for curriculum improvements and teachers to refine their teaching of communication skills. From this, the teaching can be better tailored to suit different students. The students' chances of being able to effectively help patients in the future will be increased by that.

• Svensberg, Karin; Sporrong, Sofia K; Lupattelli, Angela; Olsson, Erika; Wallman, Andy & Björnsdottir, Ingunn (2018). Nordic pharmacy students? opinions of their patient communication skills training. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education. ISSN 0002-9459. 82(2), p. 152–165. doi: 10.5688/ajpe6208. Full text in Research Archive
• Björnsdottir, Ingunn & Verne, Guri Birgitte (2018). Exhibiting caution with use of big data: The case of amphetamine in Iceland's prescription registry. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy. ISSN 1551-7411. 14(12), p. 1195–1202. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2018.02.009. Full text in Research Archive
• Svensberg, Karin Anna Evelina; Björnsdottir, Ingunn; Wallman, Andy & Sporrong, Sofia K (2017). Nordic Pharmacy Schools’ Experience in Communication Skills Training. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education. ISSN 0002-9459. 81(9), p. 24–35. doi: 10.5688/ajpe6005. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Objective: To assess communication skills training at Nordic pharmacy schools and explore ways for improvement. Methods: E-mail questionnaires were developed and distributed with the aim to explore current practice and course leaders’ opinions regarding teaching of patient communication skills at all the 11 master level Nordic (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) pharmacy schools. The questionnaires contained both closed- and open-ended questions. Results: There was a variation of patient communication skills training among schools. In general, communication skills training was included in one to five courses (mode 1); varied in quantity (6-92 hours); had low use of experiential training methods; and had challenges regarding assessments and acquiring sufficient resources. However, some schools had more focus on such training. Conclusion: The results show room for improvement in patient communication skills training in most Nordic pharmacy schools and give insights into how to enhance communication skill building in pharmacy curricula. Suggestions for improving the training include: early training start, evidence-based frameworks, experiential training, and scaffolding.

• Volmer, Daisy; Sokirskaja, Aleksandra; Laaksonen, Raisa; Vainio, Kirsti; Sandler, Niklas & Halvorsen, Kjell H. [Show all 15 contributors for this article] (2016). Perception of the Professional Knowledge of and Education on the Medical Technology Products among the Pharmacists in the Baltic and Nordic Countries—A Cross-Sectional Exploratory Study. Pharmacy. ISSN 2226-4787. 4(4). doi: 10.3390/pharmacy4040029. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  With increased development of medical technology (MT), new challenges emerge related to education and training of pharmacists and other healthcare specialists. Currently, only a few universities in the EU promote MT education and research. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the current status, views on, and need for the education on MT for the pharmacy students and practicing pharmacists in the Baltic and Nordic countries. Methods: The representatives of higher education institutions and community/hospital pharmacists from six Baltic and Nordic countries participated in a qualitative cross-sectional exploratory internet-based study from May to October 2014. Results: Approximately two-third of the respondents considered professional knowledge about MT products important for pharmacists, but half of them had never participated in any MT courses. More practicing pharmacists than representatives of academia underlined the need for increased MT education for pharmacy students in the future. Conclusions: The pharmacists in the Baltic and Nordic countries consider the professional knowledge about MT as pertinent in their education and work. The limited number and status of MT courses available today, however, is a major concern among both pharmacy students and practicing pharmacists in these countries. In the future, increasing education combining theory and practice about MT products would be one possible solution to overcome this challenge.

• Lupattelli, Angela; Spigset, Olav; Björnsdottir, Ingunn; Hämeen-Anttila, Katri; Mårdby, Ann-Charlotte & Panchaud, Alice [Show all 18 contributors for this article] (2015). Patterns and factors associated with low adherence to psychotropic medications during pregnancy - a cross-sectional, multinational web-based study. Depression and Anxiety. ISSN 1091-4269. 32(6), p. 426–436. doi: 10.1002/da.22352. Full text in Research Archive
• Svensberg, Karin Anna Evelina; Sporrong, Sofia K & Björnsdottir, Ingunn (2015). A review of countries’ pharmacist-patient communication legal requirements on prescription medications and alignment with practice: Comparison of Nordic countries. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy. ISSN 1551-7411. 11(6), p. 784–802. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2015.01.002. Full text in Research Archive
• Ibrahim, Nagwa A; Björnsdottir, Ingunn; Alwan, Ashraf S Al & Honore, Per Hartvig (2014). Insights about health-related quality of life in cancer patients indicate demands for better pharmaceutical care. Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice. ISSN 1078-1552. 20(4), p. 270–277. doi: 10.1177/1078155213505255. Full text in Research Archive
• Lupattelli, Angela; Spigset, Olav; Twigg, Michael J.; Zagorodnikova, Ksenia; Mårdby, Ann-Charlotte & Moretti, Myla Emily [Show all 18 contributors for this article] (2014). Medication use in pregnancy: a cross-sectional, multinational web-based study. BMJ Open. 4. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-004365. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Objectives: Intercountry comparability between studies on medication use in pregnancy is difficult due to dissimilarities in study design and methodology. This study aimed to examine patterns and factors associated with medications use in pregnancy from a multinational perspective, with emphasis on type of medication utilised and indication for use. Design: Cross-sectional, web-based study performed within the period from 1 October 2011 to 29 February 2012. Uniform collection of drug utilisation data was performed via an anonymous online questionnaire. Setting: Multinational study in Europe (Western, Northern and Eastern), North and South America and Australia. Participants: Pregnant women and new mothers with children less than 1 year of age. Primary and secondary outcome measures: Prevalence of and factors associated with medication use for acute/short-term illnesses, chronic/long-term disorders and over-the-counter (OTC) medication use. Results: The study population included 9459 women, of which 81.2% reported use of at least one medication (prescribed or OTC) during pregnancy. Overall, OTC medication use occurred in 66.9% of the pregnancies, whereas 68.4% and 17% of women reported use of at least one medication for treatment of acute/short-term illnesses and chronic/long-term disorders, respectively. The extent of self-reported medicated illnesses and types of medication used by indication varied across regions, especially in relation to urinary tract infections, depression or OTC nasal sprays. Women with higher age or lower educational level, housewives or women with an unplanned pregnancy were those most often reporting use of medication for chronic/long-term disorders. Immigrant women in Western (adjusted OR (aOR): 0.55, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.87) and Northern Europe (aOR: 0.50, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.83) were less likely to report use of medication for chronic/long-term disorders during pregnancy than non-immigrants. Conclusions: In this study, the majority of women in Europe, North America, South America and Australia used at least one medication during pregnancy. There was a substantial inter-region variability in the types of medication used.

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• Christensen, Sofie; Gjelstad, Astrid; Lauritzen, Fredrik & Björnsdottir, Ingunn (2023). Medikalisering av idretten - legemiddelbruk i norsk elite ishockey. Full text in Research Archive
• Sivasambu, Vibitha; Gjelstad, Astrid; Lauritzen, Fredrik & Björnsdottir, Ingunn (2023). Kulturen for bruk av legemidler og kosttilskudd blant utøvere i norsk topphåndball. Full text in Research Archive
• Yusuf, Hoda Khadir; Gjelstad, Astrid; Lauritzen, Fredrik & Björnsdottir, Ingunn (2023). Hvilke legemidler og kosttilskudd benytter idrettsutøvere? Systematisk kartlegging. Full text in Research Archive
• Björnsdottir, Ingunn; Granås, Anne Gerd; Bradley, Amanda & Norris, Pauline (2019). Bruk av "ukjent kunde" i apotekorsknign i primærapotek i verden 2006-2016. Full text in Research Archive
• Rickles, Nathaniel M.; Fleming, Marc L. & Björnsdottir, Ingunn (2019). Global research initiatives to understand the prescription drug misuse epidemic and ways to monitor and intervene. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy. ISSN 1551-7411. 15(8), p. 907–909. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2019.05.015. Full text in Research Archive
• Svensberg, Karin Anna Evelina; Björnsdottir, Ingunn; Wallman, Andy & Sporrong, Sofia K (2016). Communication Skills Assessment Methods in Nordic Pharmacy Schools. Full text in Research Archive
• Holm, Hanne Maria & Björnsdottir, Ingunn (2016). Bruk av ADHD-medisin i de nordiske landene. Full text in Research Archive
• Johansen, line Kaasa & Björnsdottir, Ingunn (2016). Veiledning om bruk av inhalasjonslegemidler, variasjon i apotekenes kundebehandling. Full text in Research Archive
• Svensberg, Karin Anna Evelina; Björnsdottir, Ingunn & Sporrong, Sofia K (2015). Legal cognitive requirements impact on pharmacy practice and patient outcomes. Full text in Research Archive
• Svensberg, Karin Anna Evelina; Sporrong, Sofia K & Björnsdottir, Ingunn (2015). A review of countries’ pharmacist-patient communication legal requirements on prescription medications and alignment with practice. Full text in Research Archive
• Svensberg, Karin Anna Evelina; Sporrong, Sofia K & Björnsdottir, Ingunn (2015). A review of countries’ pharmacist-patient communication legal requirements on prescription medications and alignment with practice. Full text in Research Archive
• Björnsdottir, Ingunn (2015). Notagildi lyfjagagnagrunns - séð af öðrum sjónarhóli (in Icelandic). [Usability of Prescription Registry - from a different point of view]. Laeknabladid: The icelandic medical journal. ISSN 0023-7213. 101(10), p. 486–487. Full text in Research Archive
• Svensberg, Karin Anna Evelina; Björnsdottir, Ingunn & Sporrong, Sofia K (2015). Legal cognitive requirements impact on pharmacy practice and patient outcomes. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy. ISSN 1551-7411. 11, p. 590–591. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2015.01.003. Full text in Research Archive
• Björnsdottir, Ingunn & Adolfsson, Olafur (2015). PRESCRIPTION REGISTRY RELIABILITY AND RESPONSIBLE USE, - A CASE FROM ICELAND. Full text in Research Archive
• Guðbrandsdóttir, Kristjana Björg & Björnsdottir, Ingunn (2015). Þrjátíu prósent skráninga eru með villum (in Icelandic). [Thirty percent of registrations contain errors]. [Journal]. Fréttablaðið. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  En avisnyhet om feil i det islandske reseptregisteret. Ingunn Björnsdottir blant de intervjuede.

• Hamza, Ashwak; Svensberg, Karin Anna Evelina & Björnsdottir, Ingunn (2015). COMPARING PRICING AND REIMBURSEMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS IN IRAQ AND NORWAY. Full text in Research Archive
• Björnsdottir, Ingunn & Adolfsson, Olafur (2015). Prescription registry quality responsibilities - a case from Iceland. Full text in Research Archive
• Halldórsdóttir, Brynja & Björnsdottir, Ingunn (2015). Fékk gögnin afhent eftir tvö og hálft ár (in Icelandic). [Received the data after two and a half years]. [Journal]. Reykjavík. Full text in Research Archive
• Björnsdottir, Ingunn (2015). Lélegar tölur úr lyfjagagnagrunni (in Icelandic). [Disappointing data from Prescription Registry]. Morgunblaðið. ISSN 1021-7266. p. 20–20. Full text in Research Archive
• Björnsdottir, Ingunn & Adolfsson, Olafur (2015). Kvalitetssikring av reseptregister - en case fra Island. Full text in Research Archive
• Thorsteinsson, Hallgrímur & Björnsdottir, Ingunn (2015). Morgunútgáfan. [Radio]. Reykjavík. Full text in Research Archive
• Hamza, Ashwak; Svensberg, Karin Anna Evelina & Björnsdottir, Ingunn (2015). Sammenligning av legemidlers pris og refusjon i Irak og Norge. Full text in Research Archive
• Björnsdottir, Ingunn & Adolfsson, Olafur (2015). Prescription registry quality responsibilities - a case from Iceland. Norsk Epidemiologi, Supplement. ISSN 0803-4206. 25, p. 127–127. Full text in Research Archive
• Björnsdottir, Ingunn (2014). Námsvistun í norskum apótekum. Tímarit um lyfjafræði. ISSN 1016-0450. 49(2), p. 26–27. Full text in Research Archive
• Björnsdottir, Ingunn (2014). Viðunandi villur og vandað eftirlit. Morgunblaðið. ISSN 1021-7266. Full text in Research Archive
• Svensberg, Karin Anna Evelina; Sporrong, Sofia Kälvemark & Björnsdottir, Ingunn (2014). Statlig styrning av nordiska farmaceuters rådgivningsroll - och professionens möjlighet att själva påverka rollen. Full text in Research Archive
• Björnsdottir, Ingunn; Hauksdottir, Runa & Adolfsson, Olafur (2014). Kvalitet og validering av databaser, - eksempel fra Island. Full text in Research Archive
• Björnsdottir, Ingunn; Hauksdottir, Runa; Parel, Kathleen & Hillers, Sara (2014). Expensive and expertise-demanding medicines in Iceland – new system for management and assessment. Full text in Research Archive
• Björnsdottir, Ingunn; Hauksdottir, Runa & Adolfsson, Olafur (2014). Concern about quality of data - a case from Iceland. Full text in Research Archive
• Björnsdottir, Ingunn; Hauksdottir, Runa & Adolfsson, Olafur (2014). Quality and transparency of data, - a Case from Iceland. Norsk Epidemiologi, Supplement. ISSN 0803-4206. 24, p. 28–28. Full text in Research Archive
• Björnsdottir, Ingunn; Hauksdottir, Runa & Adolfsson, Olafur (2014). Quality of Data on Drug Utilization, - a Case from Iceland. Full text in Research Archive
• Björnsdottir, Ingunn; Hauksdottir, Runa & Adolfsson, Olafur (2014). Quality and transparency of data, - a Case from Iceland. Full text in Research Archive
• Björnsdottir, Ingunn; Hauksdottir, Runa & Adolfsson, Olafur (2014). Quality of Data on Drug Utilization, - a Case from Iceland. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy. ISSN 1551-7411. 10(5), p. e49–e49. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2014.07.125. Full text in Research Archive
• Lupattelli, Angela; Spigset, Olav; Twigg, MJ; Zagorodnikova, Ksenia; Mårdby, Ann-Charlotte & Moretti, Myla [Show all 18 contributors for this article] (2013). Medication use during pregnancy: a multinational perspective. Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety. ISSN 1053-8569. 22, p. 75–75. doi: 10.1002/pds.3512. Full text in Research Archive
• Lupattelli, Angela; Spigset, Olav; Twigg, MJ; Zagorodnikova, Ksenia; Mårdby, Ann-Charlotte & Drozd, Mariola [Show all 17 contributors for this article] (2013). Medication use during pregnancy: a multinational perspective. Full text in Research Archive

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