Carlen Fernando

Carlen Fernando is an Associate Professor at HES-SO Valais-Wallis within the Santé (Health) school, specializing in Nursing. His research focuses on caregiving dynamics, palliative care, family support systems, and healthcare policy challenges. He leads projects addressing the needs of caregiving families in oncology and palliative care contexts, emphasizing intergenerational support and systemic gaps in professional assistance.

Key projects include optimizing support for caregivers of cancer patients (supported by HES-SO Valais and local organizations) and analyzing transnational family care during the pandemic. His work highlights caregiver burnout, bureaucratic obstacles, and the integration of intuitive nursing practices rooted in phenomenological theory.

Recent publications explore sibling experiences in crisis, dual-caregiver work-life challenges, and embodied care ethics. He collaborates across institutions in Switzerland and Germany, advocating for family-centered approaches in healthcare education and policy.

• Education: Doctoral thesis on caregiving families (Middlesex University, 2021)
• Grants: Supported by HES-SO Valais, cancer leagues, and donor associations
• Lab/Team: Active in the HES-SO Health Sector's nursing research initiatives