Akureyri Hospital
Education and science
The main role of the Department of Education and Science is to organize internships, take care of the clinical training of staff and students, and promote scientific work across all departments of the hospital.
The role of the department is also to provide access to the latest and best knowledge and education in health sciences and to make facilities for education and scientific activities ideally at the hospital.
The Department of Education and Science organizes internships for university students and high school students in health subjects, as well as overseeing the organization of specialist primary care doctors, specialist doctors and other trainees in specialist training centers.
Here you can view videos from the work environment (Icelandic).
The Akureyri hospital has for many years managed internships (clinical studies) for undergraduate university students at the University of Akureyri, the University of Iceland and at foreign universities. Paramedic students from VMA, along with other schools and students from other professions, also come to the internship.
All students are registered with the program manager: nemar@sak.is.
At the Akureyri hospital, it is possible to complete internship for doctors. Residencial doctors acquire skills in applying their knowledge from basic education, learn more about clinical medicine and gain experience that is useful for independent work practices in further special education and work as doctors.
Here you can access all the information related to the start of the internship.
More information is available from the program director: nemar@sak.is.
In recent years, a great development has taken place in the structure of specialized medical training. Emphasis has been placed on the development of specialized studies in all the major branches of medicine in accordance with recognized international standards. Specialist doctors in the following specialties can take a period at SAk:
Pharmacology (4-12 months)
Emergency medicine (6-12 months)
Surgery (6 months)
Orthopedic surgery (6-12 months)
Psychiatry (6-12 months)
Anesthesiology and intensive care medicine (6 months)
Obstetrics and Gynecology (6 months)
Pediatrics (6 months)
Geriatrics (4 months)
Family medicine (can complete the hospital part of SAk – 2 years)
More information is available from the program director: nemar@sak.is.
The Akureyri hospital has a simulation center. There medical staff and students have the opportunity to practice in safe conditions. The goal is to increase the skills of staff and trainees, strengthen teamwork and ensure patient safety.
Courses are regularly held for staff and students within SAk. Larger courses such as courses in specialized resuscitation, multidisciplinary simulation training, reception of the severely injured (BEST) as well as shorter new and refresher courses in certain work areas. Some of these courses are compulsory for staff and students at SAk, others are elective courses.
Hrafnhildur Lilja Jónsdóttir, head of education, oversees the organization of the lessons. Inquiries and registration: namskeid@sak.is.
Interdisciplinary simulation teaching
In simulation lessons, interdisciplinary teamwork, communication, task prioritization and standard procedures in emergency situations are practiced. The course is compulsory during the academic year of specialist doctors and specialist doctors in certain disciplines. In SAk's education plan, it is assumed that nurses and midwives attend such a course at least every three years. In addition, paramedics and specialized staff are welcome to participate, depending on the department's activities.
Specialized resuscitation
All medical personnel involved in patient care are expected to be trained in emergency first response and CPR. The Resuscitation Council SAk has published target groups for each type of course. Courses in basic and specialized resuscitation at SAk are standardized according to the guidelines of the European Resuscitation Council (ERC). All the ERC courses taught in Iceland are professionally the responsibility of the Icelandic Resuscitation Council.
Reception and treatment of the seriously injured
A course on reception and treatment of trauma patients (BEST) is held once or twice a year. The course is intended to improve the results of the trauma team through training at home. The courses are based on the concept of BEST (Better and systematic trauma care).
Other courses
Various other new and continuing education courses are held at the Faculty of Education.
The Faculty of Education and Science is intended to oversee scientific activities at the Akureyri Hospital and develop these activities further. The hospital has a scientific policy and acknowledges that in order to provide good healthcare research and development is necessary, along with possibilities to use new knowledge. Strong scientific work at SAk enhances the quality of service, human resources and makes the hospital an attractive workplace for committed professionals.
Certain hospital staff, who meet the university's qualification requirements, work as professors, docents and assistant professors at the University of Akureyri's Institute of Health Sciences (HHA) and at the University of Helsinki. Staff who meet the university's qualification requirements can also apply for academic benefits, i.e. clinical professor, clinical docent or clinical assistant professor and thus receive recognition of academic qualifications.
SAk's goal is to build a stronger research environment and strengthen research infrastructure and research collaboration. SAk's scientific policy states the will to create good working conditions for research. Defined collaborations through HHA and other scientific organizations support this development. The size and geographic location of the hospital provide good opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and research on the health issues of those who live in sparsely populated areas of the country. There are opportunities and the policy states that it is important to work systematically to strengthen further cooperation with scientific institutions, universities, healthcare and companies in the field of health sciences.
In the health policy until the year 2030, it is pointed out that the requirements for quality and safety in the health service need to be increased. Targeted quality management methods have been implemented at SAk to ensure quality and safety in all activities and the prerequisites for the hospital to receive international quality certification. The hospital is the first healthcare institution in the Nordic countries to receive such certification. The certification body is the international company DNV-GL, one of the largest companies in this field in the world. Emphasis is constantly placed on the use of metrics and quality indicators to assess quality and performance in the hospital, together with targeted improvement activities based on the latest knowledge and equipment. Strong scientific work and innovation is a guiding principle in such reform work at SAk.
Role
The role of the Scientific Council is to formulate scientific policy and to promote the scientific work carried out at the hospital. Annual scientific days are held where significant scientific results are presented to hospital staff, academics and the public.
The Science Council is to advise on the awarding of recognition for scientific work at the Akureyri hospital, and at the same time to advise the Department of Education and Science on projects related to university and scientific work and the development of health sciences.
Appointment time:
1 December 2022 to 30 November 2025
Principal representatives:
Laufey Hrólfsdóttir, director, chairman
Alexander Smárason, chief physician
Árún K. Sigurðardóttir, professor
Ragnheiður Harpa Arnardóttir, physical therapist
Snæbjörn Guðjónsson, specialist in psychiatric nursing
Deputy representatives:
Hannes Petersen, professor and specialist in HNE medicine
Björn Gunnarsson, specialist in anesthesia and intensive care medicine
Role
The science fund's board works according to the fund's charter, manages all the fund's issues and acts externally on its behalf. The board must also ensure that the structure and operations of the fund are always in good shape. Grants are awarded once or twice a year and are awarded according to the recommendations of the Scientific Council of the Hospital in Akureyri. The board is appointed for a three-year term and consists of three representatives and two alternates.
Appointment time:
1 September 2019 to 31 August 2025.
Principal representatives:
Rannveig Jóhannsdóttir director of the finance office, chairman
Álfheiður Atladóttir, intensive care unit nurse
Guðjón Kristjánsson, head physician of medicine
Deputy representatives:
Orri Ingþórsson, specialist in obstetrics and gynecology
The Ethics Committee for Health Research at the Akureyri hospital is a multidisciplinary ethics committee appointed by the director of the hospital according to Act on Scientific Research no. 44/2014 and regulation on ethics committees for health research no. 1186/2014. Regulation no. 1187/2014.
Role
The role of the Health Research Ethics Committee at the Akureyri hospital is to evaluate scientific research in the field of health that is carried out within the institution or in collaboration with related educational institutions in Iceland in order to ensure that it is compatible with scientific and ethical considerations.
Appointment time:
1 December2023 to 30 November 2027.
Principal representatives:
Hólmar Örn Finnsson, chairperson, nominated by the National Health Service
Hulda Sædís Bryngeirsdóttir, nominated by the University of Akureyri
Alexander Smárason, nominated by the Akureyri Hospital
Elvar Örn Birgisson, nominated by the Akureyri Hospital
Harpa Snædal, nominated by the Akureyri Hospital
Heiðrún Ósk Ólafsdóttir, nominated by the Akureyri Hospital
Hólmfríður Kristjánsdóttir, nominated by the Akureyri Hospital
Deputy representatives:
Georgio Baruchello, nominated by the University of Akureyri
Elma Rún Ingvarsdóttir, nominated by the Akureyri Hospital
Guðjón Kristjánsson, nominated by the Akureyri Hospital
Gunnar Þór Gunnarsson, nominated by the Akureyri Hospital
Karítas Anja Magnadóttir nominated by the Akureyri Hospital
The Ethics Committee of the Akureyri Hospital meets on the third Thursday of every month. Data to the ethics committee must have been received on Wednesday, 14 days before the meeting of the committee.
Data and inquiries are sent to the email address: sidanefnd@sak.is
The Health Sciences Institute of UNAK and SAk is a scientific research institute that was established by a framework agreement on cooperation between UNAK and FSA (SAk) in 2002. With this agreement, SAk and UNAK wanted to strengthen teaching and research in health sciences by increasing cooperation and increasing the visibility of these aspects in work the institutions.
The main functions of the organization are the following:
To be a joint platform for research for the employees of the hospital and UNAK, as well as other health institutions by further agreement.
To strengthen the relationship between research and teaching and to coordinate research in health sciences carried out at UNAK, the hospital and other health institutions.
To support teaching and training in scientific work methods and to provide students in postgraduate studies in the health sciences with research work whenever possible.
To promote cooperation with national and foreign research partners in the field of health sciences and strong connections with business and public life, i.e. to carry out service projects in health research.
To publish and present the results of research in the health sciences.
To provide education and advice regarding issues related to health care.
To represent and promote the holding of seminars and conferences in the field of health sciences.
To hold or promote the holding of courses and lectures.
Here you can find information about the organization's board, staff and rules:
SAk's Science Council is in charge of planning and managing the annual Science Day of the Institute of Health Sciences.
The Akureyri Hospital's Health Science Library is an electronic research and specialist library in the field of health. The goal of the Health Sciences Library is to provide SAk staff as well as students with access to the scientific and clinical information and knowledge they need in their studies and work.
The Health Sciences Library participates in national access to electronic subscriptions to databases and journals. In addition, there is access to open access encyclopedias and databases and journals. There is also good cooperation with the library of the University of Akureyri regarding inter-library loans.
The hospital subscribes to the database UpToDate Anywhere, which provides access to peer-reviewed clinical content, such as diagnoses, treatment options and drug information.
More information: bokasafn@sak.is
The Science Day of the Akureyri Hospital and the Institute of Health Sciences of the University of Akureyri is held annually. On Science Day, the research of SAk and HHA staff is presented, and posters describing the results of research/projects are on display.