Louise Paaske

About Louise

PhD student at the University of Southern Denmark

About me

Professional profile

I have a background as a midwife and hold a Master of Science in Health Science, with several years of clinical experience in pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care across both public and private healthcare settings. This broad clinical experience has provided me with valuable insight into the healthcare system from within.

Through my work at the Danish Centre for Health Economics, I have developed strong research-related competencies in areas such as register-based research, project management, grant writing, data management, and quantitative analysis. I also have extensive experience in interdisciplinary and cross-sector research collaboration, scientific writing, and both academic and public dissemination of research findings.

The combination of a deep understanding of clinical practice and strong analytical and academic skills allows me to take a holistic and practice-oriented approach to research.

In addition to my academic and clinical background, I bring broad experience from board work and voluntary leadership roles in sports organisations, as well as financial and strategic responsibilities in both national boards and private companies. These experiences have strengthened my understanding of organisational governance, economic decision-making, and strategic processes.

My diverse background as a midwife, entrepreneur, and researcher has contributed to the development of strong project management skills and the ability to maintain a broad strategic overview while managing complex projects.

Professional profile

Scientific focus area

Health economics researcher at SDU

My research focuses on health economics and workforce dynamics in healthcare, with a particular emphasis on nurses' and midwives' labor supply responsiveness, organizational factors, and the impact of work environment on health outcomes. I leverage advanced quantitative methods, including quasi-experimental designs and register-based data, to examine how working conditions, contractual arrangements, and staffing levels influence both healthcare professionals' well-being and patient outcomes. Additionally, I have a strong interest in understanding the interplay between health system interventions and labor market behavior over the life course, with a focus on gendered and occupational dynamics. My work aims to inform policy and organizational strategies that promote sustainable and equitable healthcare workforce management.

Research areas

My research topics

Healthcare workforce

Analysis of the healthcare workforce and factors affecting recruitment and retention.

Mental health

Research on high emotional demands and mental health among healthcare professionals and its impact on labor market participation.

Sustainable labour supply

Interested in different perspectives affecting sustainable labor supply in the healthcare sector across life-course trajectories.

Working hours response

Studies of how healthcare professionals adjust their actual working hours to changes in contractual working hours.