Olaug S. Lian

Olaug S. Lian is a full Professor of Medical Sociology and leader of the Medical Humanities research group at the Department of Community Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway. She also serves as a part-time (20%) research advisor at the University Hospital of Northern Norway since 2003. Her academic career spans over three decades, including associate professorship (2004-2013) and various roles since 1993.

Her research focuses on clinical interaction, shared decision-making, medical uncertainty, and contested chronic conditions. She employs qualitative methods, including narrative analysis and observational studies of doctor-patient consultations. Current projects involve analyzing 212 naturally occurring primary care consultations in England, examining epistemic negotiations and patient agency.

Notable grant funding includes projects on healthcare quality for chronic illnesses (Norwegian Research Council, 2011-2014), primary care reform (2000-2001), and health commodification (1999-2002). She has presented at international conferences on topics like symptom uncertainty, illness narratives, and biomedical hegemony.