Research
Prof. Silje Mæland divides her time between scientific work and knowledge cluster work. She is a professor at the Department of Global Health and Community Medicine, at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Norway. She specializes in research in the field of work and health and is head of the National Professional Council for Work and Health. Mæland leads the Professional Forum in the Alrek health cluster, and leads the research and development group in the Sports Cluster West and research leader in the Sunnaasstiftelsen.
Mæland leads the research project Bergen in Change COVID-19 study, a research collaboration between partners in the Alrek health cluster: https://www.uib.no/igs/135092/bergen-i-endring-covid19-studien-bie-studien#publikasjoner
In addition to work and health, including sickness absence, ability to work and return to work, Mæland researches doctors' and other actors' assessment of patients with regard to sickness absence and diagnosis. She led a large RCT in 2016 that evaluated the effect of New Medical Assessment at 6 months sick leave.
Furthermore, Mæland has researched health complaints and functional challenges in patient populations (Ehler Danlos syndrome, Vestibular disorders, Cerebral Palsy) and she uses both qualitative and quantitative methods in her research.
From 2023, Mæland's research is aimed specifically at women, menopause and work:
Each year, 27,500 Norwegian women enter menopause, and of these, approx. 30% have significant health problems that reduce their quality of life and work capacity. The health problems can vary from depression, muscle and joint pain, sleep problems, headaches, general fatigue, reduced lung capacity and extreme hot flashes. The ailments are often defined as non-specific and contribute significantly to women's sickness absence and disability pension
There is little research on women's menopause and limited knowledge among women themselves and in the health service. Lack of knowledge can lead to women's ailments not being associated with menopause and thus being diagnosed, treated and medicated as non-specific women's ailments and something women have to live with.
The Women's Health Committee's report (NOU) points out that more research is needed to determine what role menopause symptoms play in women dropping out of working life at this age. Furthermore, that more research is needed on the impact of menopause on women's physical and mental health, and how menopause is experienced by women in different socio-economic positions. There is also a need for increased knowledge about the connection between menopause and women's sickness absence and exit from working life.
Read also: https://forskning.no/arbeid-kjonn-og-samfunn-kvinnehelse/helseplager-ved-overgangsalderen-kan-vaere-en-viktig-arsak-til-at-mange-kvinner-i-50-arene -phases-out-of-working-life/2239514
Outreach
Communication has been a priority task for me from day one of my Ph.d. run. I was lucky to be researching a topic of great public interest – sickness absence. In addition, I had supervisors with a basic attitude that we never said no to inquiries from the media. I was challenged early on in communication and encouraged to apply for participation in the Forsker Grand Prix.
Dissemination is, for me, one of the most important societal tasks as a researcher. As a privileged researcher with externally funded research funds, I have always made sure to communicate in several forums. These have been lectures for administration, associations, the general public, at events at Litteraturhus, on radio and on TV. In addition to communicating to students and colleagues, popular science communication has become my core competence and I am often asked by faculty management and the communications department at UiB to contribute.
The Faculty of Medicine has annual reports on academic staff's communication in traditional media. I was employed as an associate professor at UiB in 2019 (50%) and from 2020 in a 100% position. Already in 2020, I was on the list of those who appeased the most at the faculty. In 2020, I was 24 times in the media for UiB and was ranked as the 17th best in the medical faculty. In 2021, I was in the media 61 times and climbed with it to 11th place. The medical faculty has around 1,200 employees, around 1,900 students and, with its over 500 PhD candidates, is one of the biggest contributors to research education at the University of Bergen.
To illustrate this, I will highlight my role as project manager and communicator of research results in the project Bergen I Endring – COVID-19. This project was created in record time in March/April 2020. I built a project group that was made up of researchers and bureaucrats: Two faculties at UiB (the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Psychology), FHI, Helse Bergen HF, Bergen Municipality and Vestland County Municipality. Without the ability to communicate clearly and well, I don't think we would have been able to build this group from a home office at the start of a pandemic. No one in the team had worked together before and we were completely dependent on a project manager who could convey clearly and clearly what we were to do together and what the individual was responsible for. Already on 16 April 2020, before we sent out the first invitation to participate in the research project to 80,000 Bergen residents, I was on Vestlandsrevyen to appease the purpose and importance of this project.
District news Vestlandsrevyen - 16 April 2020 at 19:45 – NRK TV
Many media reports then followed as a direct consequence of conditions in the REK approval. With a project with a broad purpose, we were required to communicate findings to the general public in an efficient manner. This resulted in a project page where we published all new information in the project so that the public and our participants could follow along. Here we also published all the media reports the project generated and it was mostly me as project manager who disseminated information and results from the project in På Høyden, in Bergensavisen, BT, TV2, forskning.no, NRK Hordaland today. Aftenposten, NRK, BT Magasinet etc.
News stories about the BIE study | Department of Global Health and Community Medicine | UiB
When the Pandemic Center was officially opened in October 2020, I helped convey experiences and preliminary results from the project to Minister of Research and Higher Education Henrik Aasheim
Pandemic center opened at UiB | The Faculty of Medicine | UiB
In 2014 I received an award for outstanding teaching at the University of Bergen and in 2020 I was awarded the status of distinguished lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine UiB. These awards are also partly about the ability to communicate even to our students and colleagues.
Teaching
Associated master's in Health and Society, where she is responsible for teaching aimed at work and health as a subject.
Silje Mæland is a qualified physiotherapist at the University of Bradford, UK and MSc (2007) and PhD (2013) at the University of Bergen/Uni Research Health (today NORCE).
She has also worked as an associate professor at Høgskulen på Vestlandet (HVL), where she taught neurological physiotherapy. In 2014, Mæland was awarded the "Prize for outstanding teaching" at HVL.
In 2020, she was awarded status as meritorious lecturer at the medical faculty. The status is awarded for outstanding teaching practice and systematic and targeted work with the development of educational quality. Meritorious lecturers have a clear focus on the students' learning in all their teaching activities, a clear teaching professional development over time, a research-based approach to their own teaching practice and a collegial attitude and practice. Status as meritorious teacher entails admission to the pedagogical academy at the Faculty of Medicine.
Publications
Feature article
- Sølvik, Una Ørvim; Fagertun, Anette; Mæland, Silje et al. (2024). La oss bryte tausheten og snakke om overgangsalderen på jobben . (external link)
- Mæland, Silje; Reme, Silje; Sveinsdottir, Vigdis (2017). Har virkelig ikke arbeid noe med helse å gjøre?. (external link)
- Mæland, Silje (2016). Når livet blir en karusell du ikke kommer deg av. (external link)
- Mæland, Silje (2016). Burde fastlegen være mer som Snåsamannen?. (external link)
- Røgeberg, Ole Jørgen; Mæland, Silje; Werner, Erik L (2013). Kamp om fastlegers oppmerksomhet. (external link)
- Mæland, Silje; Malterud, Kirsti (2013). En følelse av utmattelse. (external link)
Poster
- Hole, Maren Nielsen; Mæland, Silje; Nesto, Tarimo et al. (2024). «All of a sudden, everything changed…»: Returning Home following a Spinal Cord Injury - A qualitative, comparative study in Norway and Malawi. (external link)
- Hansen, Malika Elise; Mæland, Silje; Fadnes, Lars T. et al. (2023). Light exposure, sleep quality, and sleepiness as predictors of memory decline in older adults: A cohort study from Norway . (external link)
- Kristoffersen, Morten; Nilsen, Ann-Kristin; Iversen, Vegard et al. (2015). Relationships between different physical factors in male soccer players . (external link)
- Magnussen, Liv Heide; Midtgarden, Inger Johanne; Øyeflaten, Irene et al. (2012). Work status, health and functioning three years after participation in an interdisciplinary occupational rehabilitation program. (external link)
- Mæland, Silje; Magnussen, Liv Heide; Eriksen, Hege Randi et al. (2011). Why are general practitioners reluctant to enrol patients into a randomized controlled trial on sick leave?. (external link)
- Nilsen, Stein; Werner, Erik L; Mæland, Silje et al. (2011). Considerations made by the general practitioner when dealing with sick-listing of patients suffering from subjective and composite health complaints. (external link)
Academic article
- Wedege, Pia; Divanoglou, A.; Abrahamsen, Frank Eirik et al. (2024). ‘We’re all on the same journey; some are just a bit further down the road than others’: a qualitative study exploring peer mentors’ experiences in Active Rehabilitation camps for individuals with acquired brain injury. (external link)
- Moussavi, Yasmin; Haugland, Bente Storm Mowatt; Wergeland, Gro Janne Henningsen et al. (2024). Experiences From Treatment for Anxiety and Depression Among Youth in Foster Care: A Qualitative Study. (external link)
- Wedege, Pia; Mæland, Silje; Divanoglou, Anestis et al. (2024). Enriching the lives of children with acquired brain injury and their caregivers: experiences from peer mentorship sports camps. (external link)
- Kupa, Anda; Taule, Tina; Mæland, Silje (2024). Retur til arbeid det første året etter hjerneslag: Erfaringer fra fem aktørgruppe. (external link)
- Alpers, Silvia Eiken; Druckrey-Fiskaaen, Karl Trygve; Madebo, Tesfaye et al. (2024). The association of psychological distress and economic and health worries with tobacco smoking behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic: a two-year longitudinal cohort study. (external link)
- Lehmann, Stine; Skogen, Jens Christoffer; Sandal, Gro Mjeldheim et al. (2024). Stress and coping strategies among youth during the COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based cohort study. (external link)
- Javadi Arjmand, Elaheh; Skogen, Jens Christoffer; Vold, Jørn Henrik et al. (2023). Changes in Body Mass Index and Their Associations with Psychological Distress, Worries, and Emotional Eating during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Norwegian Cohort Study. (external link)
- Visted, Endre; Solbakken, Ole Andre; Mæland, Silje et al. (2023). Validation of a brief version of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-16) with an older Norwegian population. (external link)
- Alpers, Silvia Eiken; Pallesen, Ståle; Vold, Jørn Henrik et al. (2023). The association between psychological distress and alcohol consumption and physical activity: a population-based cohort study. (external link)
- Javadi Arjmand, Elaheh; Mitra, Bemanian; Vold, Jørn Henrik et al. (2023). Emotional Eating and Changes in High-Sugar Food and Drink Consumption Linked to Psychological Distress and Worries: A Cohort Study from Norway. (external link)
- Gjesdal, Beate Eltarvåg; Mæland, Silje; Bogen, Bård Erik et al. (2022). Ballistic strength training in adults with cerebral palsy may increase rate of force development in plantar flexors, but transition to walking remains unclear: a case series. (external link)
- Bjørknes, Ragnhild; Skogen, Jens Christoffer; Nærde, Ane et al. (2022). Parental stress during the COVID-19 pandemic: A one-year follow-up. (external link)
- Kristiansen, Lene; Magnussen, Liv Heide; Wilhelmsen, Kjersti Thulin et al. (2022). Self-Reported Measures Have a Stronger Association With Dizziness-Related Handicap Compared With Physical Tests in Persons With Persistent Dizziness. (external link)
- Haug, Ellen Merethe Melingen; Mæland, Silje; Lehmann, Stine et al. (2022). Increased gaming during COVID-19 predicts physical inactivity among youth in Norway - a two-wave longitudinal cohort study. (external link)
- Mæland, Silje; Holmås, Tor Helge; Øyeflaten, Irene Larsen et al. (2022). What is the effect of independent medical evaluation on days on sickness benefits for long-term sick listed employees in Norway? A pragmatic randomised controlled trial, the NIME-trial. (external link)
- Lehmann, Stine; Skogen, Jens Christoffer; Haug, Ellen et al. (2021). Perceived consequences and worries among youth in Norway during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. (external link)
- Mæland, Silje; Bjørknes, Ragnhild; Lehmann, Stine et al. (2021). How the Norwegian population was affected by non-pharmaceutical interventions during the first six weeks of the COVID-19 lockdown. (external link)
- Gjesdal, Beate Eltarvåg; Mæland, Silje; Williams, Gavin et al. (2021). Can adults with cerebral palsy perform and benefit from ballistic strength training to improve walking outcomes? A mixed methods feasibility study. (external link)
- Bjørknes, Ragnhild; Sandal, Gro Mjeldheim; Mæland, Silje et al. (2021). ‘We are unlikely to return to the same world, and I do not want it to destroy my future.’ Young people's worries through the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. (external link)
- Alpers, Silvia Eiken; Skogen, Jens Christoffer; Mæland, Silje et al. (2021). Alcohol Consumption during a Pandemic Lockdown Period and Change in Alcohol Consumption Related to Worries and Pandemic Measures. (external link)
- Iversen, Marjolein M.; Norekvål, Tone Merete; Oterhals, Kjersti et al. (2021). Psychometric Properties of the Norwegian Version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale. (external link)
- Bemanian, Mitra; Mæland, Silje; Blomhoff, Rune et al. (2020). Emotional Eating in Relation to Worries and Psychological Distress Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Population-Based Survey on Adults in Norway. (external link)
- Husabø, Ingrid Elisabeth; Haugland, Bente Storm; Wergeland, Gro Janne et al. (2020). Providers’ experiences with delivering school-based targeted prevention for adolescents with anxiety symptoms: A qualitative study. (external link)
- Gjesdal, Beate Eltarvåg; Jahnsen, Reidun Birgitta; Morgan, Prue et al. (2020). Walking through life with cerebral palsy: reflections on daily walking by adults with cerebral palsy. (external link)
- Øyeflaten, Irene Larsen; Mæland, Silje; Haukenes, Inger (2020). Independent medical evaluation of general practitioners’ follow-up of sick-listed patients: a cross-sectional study in Norway. (external link)
- Bovim, Lars Peder Vatshelle; Gjesdal, Beate Eltarvåg; Mæland, Silje et al. (2020). The impact of motor task and environmental constraints on gait patterns during treadmill walking in a fully immersive virtual environment. (external link)
- Kristiansen, Lene; Magnussen, Liv Heide; Juul-Kristensen, Birgit et al. (2019). Feasibility of integrating vestibular rehabilitation and cognitive behaviour therapy for people with persistent dizziness. (external link)
- Weerdesteijn, Kristel H.N.; Schaafsma, Frederieke G.; van der Beek, Allard J. et al. (2019). Sick leave assessments of workers with subjective health complaints: a cross-sectional study on differences among physicians working in occupational health care. (external link)
- Kristiansen, Lene; Magnussen, Liv Heide; Wilhelmsen, Kjersti Thulin et al. (2019). Efficacy of intergrating vestibular rehabilitation and cognitive behaviour therapy in persons with persistent dizziness in primary care- a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. (external link)
- Bertilsson, Monica; Mæland, Silje; Love, John Michael et al. (2018). The capacity to work puzzle: A qualitative study of physicians' assessments for patients with common mental disorders. (external link)
- Aamland, Aase; Husabo, Elisabeth; Mæland, Silje (2018). Independent medical evaluation for sick-listed patients: A focus group study of GPs expectations and experiences. (external link)
- Aamland, Aase; Mæland, Silje (2018). Sick-listed workers? expectations about and experiences with independent medical evaluation: a qualitative interview study from Norway. (external link)
- Hope, Lena; Juul-Kristensen, Birgit; Løvaas, Helene et al. (2017). Subjective health complaints and Illness perceptions among adults with Joint Hypermobility Syndrome/Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome HypermobilityType - a cross-sectional study. (external link)
- Eftedal, Monica; Kvaal, Astrid Marie; Ree, Eline et al. (2017). How do occupational rehabilitation clinicians approach participants on long-term sick leave in order to facilitate return to work? - A focus group study. (external link)
- Husabo, Elisabeth; Monstad, Karin; Holmås, Tor Helge et al. (2017). Protocol for the effect evaluation of independent medical evaluation after six months sick leave: a randomized controlled trial of independent medical evaluation versus treatment as usual in Norway. (external link)
- Røksund, Ola Drange; Kristoffersen, Morten; Bogen, Bård Erik et al. (2017). Higher drop in speed during a repeated sprint test in soccer players reporting former hamstring strain injury. (external link)
- Merkus, Suzanne; Weerdesteijn, Kristel H. N.; Schaafsmaa, FG et al. (2017). Beoordeling van arbeidsongeschiktheid bij SOLK. (Physicians’ assessments of work capacity in patients with SHC: comparison between five European countries). (external link)
- Aamland, Aase; Øyeflaten, Irene Larsen; Mæland, Silje (2017). Independent medical evaluation for sick-listed workers in Norway: A focus group study of the experience of IME doctors. (external link)
- Jeno, Lucas Matias; Raaheim, Arild; Kristensen, Sara M. et al. (2017). The relative effect of team-based learning on motivation and learning: a self-determination theory perspective. (external link)
- Merkus, Suzanne; Hoedeman, Rob; Mæland, Silje et al. (2017). Are there patient-related factors that influence sickness certification in patients with severe subjective health complaints? A cross-sectional exploratory study from different European countries. (external link)
- Werner, Erik L; Merkus, Suzanne; Mæland, Silje et al. (2016). Physicians' assessments of work capacity in patients with severe subjective health complaints: a cross-sectional study on differences between five European countries. (external link)
- Mæland, Silje; Magnussen, Liv Heide; Eriksen, Hege Randi et al. (2016). Correspondence in Stakeholder Assessment of Health, Work Capacity and Sick Leave in Workers with Comorbid Subjective Health Complaints? A Video Vignette Study. (external link)
- Johannessen, Elise Christine; Reiten, Helle Sundnes; Løvaas, Helene et al. (2016). Shoulder function, pain and health related quality of life in adults with joint hypermobility syndrome/Ehlers-Danlos syndrome-hypermobility type. (external link)
- Nilsen, Stein; Malterud, Kirsti; Werner, Erik L et al. (2015). GPs' negotiation strategies regarding sick leave for subjective health complaints. (external link)
- Øyeflaten, Irene; Midtgarden, Inger Johanne; Mæland, Silje et al. (2014). Functioning, coping and work status three years after participating in an interdisciplinary, occupational rehabilitation program. (external link)
- Mæland, Silje; Werner, Erik L; Rosendal, Marianne et al. (2013). Sick-leave decisions for patients with severe subjective health complaints presenting in primary care: A cross-sectional study in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. (external link)
- Mæland, Silje; Werner, Erik L; Rosendal, Marianne et al. (2012). Diagnoses of Patients with Severe Subjective Health Complaints in Scandinavia: A Cross Sectional Study. (external link)
- Maeland, Silje; Assmus, Jørg; Berglund, Britta (2011). Subjective health complaints in individuals with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: A questionnaire study. (external link)
- Nilsen, Stein; Werner, Erik L; Mæland, Silje et al. (2011). Considerations made by the general practitioner when dealing with sick-listing of patients suffering from subjective and composite health complaints. (external link)
- Haugli, Liv; Mæland, Silje; Magnussen, Liv Heide (2011). What Facilitates Return to Work? Patients Experiences 3 Years After Occupational Rehabilitation. (external link)
- Mæland, Silje; Magnussen, Liv Heide; Eriksen, Hege Randi et al. (2011). Why are general practitioners reluctant to enrol patients into a RCT on sick leave? A qualitative study. (external link)
- Mæland, Silje; Jahnsen, Reidun; OPHEIM, ARVE ISAK et al. (2009). No effect on gait function of progressive resistance exercise in adults with cerebral palsy a single blind randomized controlled trial. (external link)
Academic literature review
- Wedege, Pia; Mæland, Silje; Abrahamsen, Frank Eirik et al. (2024). Structured, time-limited peer mentorship activity programmes for individuals with acquired brain or spinal cord injuries: a mixed methods systematic review of characteristics and outcomes. (external link)
- Engeseth, Merete Salveson; Olsen, Nina Rydland; Mæland, Silje et al. (2017). Left vocal cord paralysis after patent ductus arteriosus ligation: A systematic review. (external link)
- Engeseth, Merete Salveson; Olsen, Nina Rydland; Røksund, Ola Drange et al. (2016). A systematic review and meta-analysis: Prevalence and consequences of left recurrent laryngeal nerve paresis following surgical ligation of patent ductus arteriosus in extremely premature infants. PROSPERO 2016:CRD42016029921 Available from http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO_REBRANDING/display_record.asp?ID=CRD42016029921. (external link)
- Aamland, Aase; Mæland, Silje (2016). Leger i primærhelsetjenesten sine holdninger til og erfaringer med sykmelding og sykefraværsoppfølging : en scoping-oversikt. (external link)
- Opheim, Ingjerd; Bergfjord, Jette; Mæland, Silje (2014). Hjerneslag og speilterapi. (external link)
- Odeen, Magnus; Magnussen, Liv Heide; Mæland, Silje et al. (2013). Systematic review of active workplace interventions to reduce sickness absence. (external link)
Popular scientific lecture
Interview Journal
Report
- Magnussen, Liv Heide; Kristiansen, Lene; Wilhelmsen, Kjersti Thulin et al. (2022). Consensus agreement LODIP. (external link)
- Mæland, Silje; Monstad, Karin; Holmås, Tor Helge et al. (2018). Forsøk med ny medisinsk vurdering (NMV) etter seks måneders sykmelding : sluttrapport.. (external link)
- Mæland, Silje; Monstad, Karin; Øyeflaten, Irene Larsen et al. (2016). Effektevaluering av ny medisinsk vurdering (NMV) etter seks måneders sykmelding : underveisrapport.. (external link)
- Malterud, Kirsti; Ursin, Holger; Mæland, Silje (2010). Hvor trykker skoen? Sykefraværsoppfølging i Norge 2009 - Raskere tilbake. (external link)
Academic lecture
- Moberg, Karolin; Mæland, Silje; Hamre, Regina (2022). Gaming, søvn og skoleprestasjoner. (external link)
- Mæland, Silje (2019). Independent medical evaluations - an effective way to promote return to work in Norway. (external link)
- Bovim, Lars Peder Vatshelle; Gjesdal, Beate Eltarvåg; Mæland, Silje et al. (2019). Dual task during treadmill walking in a fully immersive virtual environment. (external link)
- Bovim, Lars Peder Vatshelle; Gjesdal, Beate Eltarvåg; Mæland, Silje et al. (2019). Immediate gait adaptation from walking on a treadmill to walking on a treadmill in a fully immersive virtual environment. (external link)
- Bovim, Lars Peder Vatshelle; Gjesdal, Beate Eltarvåg; Bogen, Bård Erik et al. (2018). Cross country sit skiing - A kinematic case study. (external link)
- Jeno, Lucas Matias; Raaheim, Arild; Kristensen, Sara Madeleine et al. (2018). A Self-Determination Theory approach to understanding the motivational dynamics of Team-Based Learning. (external link)
- Olsen, Nina Rydland; Mæland, Silje (2016). Workshop: Team-based learning: en aktuell metode for bibliotekenes undervisning?. (external link)
- Husabo, Elisabeth; Mæland, Silje; Monstad, Karin et al. (2016). Protocol for Effect Evaluation of Independent Medical Evaluation in Norway. (external link)
- Mæland, Silje (2016). Independent medical examinations, Sick leave and Return to work: International perspectives?. (external link)
- Mæland, Silje (2016). Sick leave for patients with many health complaints?. (external link)
- Werner, Erik Lønnmark; Merkus, Suzanne; Mæland, Silje et al. (2016). An international comparison of physicians’ assessments of work capacity in patients with severe subjective health complaints.. (external link)
- Moen, Vegard Pihl; Badawy, Mona; Indrekvam, Kari et al. (2014). Utarbeidelse av norsk versjon av «Forgotten Joint Score». (external link)
Programme participation
Popular scientific article
Article in business/trade/industry journal
Reader opinion piece
Doctoral dissertation
Abstract
- Mæland, Silje; Eriksen, Hege Randi; Jonsdottir, I et al. (2012). The diagnosis of patients with severe subjective health complaints depends on whom the patient sees. (external link)
- Magnussen, Liv Heide; Werner, Erik L; Mæland, Silje et al. (2010). CONSIDERATIONS MADE BY GENERAL PRACTITIONERS WHEN DEALING WITH SICK-LISTING OF PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM MEDICALLY UNEXPLAINED CONDITIONS. (external link)