Ingvild Ballestad

Western Norway University of Applied Sciences

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Ingvild Ballestad’s research focuses on the human and procedural dimensions of robotic-assisted surgery, particularly the critical role of operating room nurses in ensuring patient safety and care quality. Her most-cited work, a 2022 qualitative study, explores how nurses navigate the challenges of positioning patients for robotic procedures—a task made more complex by advancing technology. By highlighting nurses’ experiences, Ballestad sheds light on the often-overlooked skill and vigilance required to prevent positioning injuries and maintain standards of care in high-tech surgical environments. With 16 citations, this paper has already sparked important conversations about team dynamics and ergonomic safety in minimally invasive surgery. Ballestad’s contributions are especially valuable for bridging the gap between technological innovation and frontline clinical practice, offering evidence that can inform training protocols and workflow design. Her work underscores that successful robotic surgery depends not only on the machine but on the expertise of the humans who orchestrate the patient’s journey through the operating room. For students and researchers in perioperative nursing or surgical technology, Ballestad provides a compelling case for centering qualitative insights in the evaluation of emerging surgical tools.