The Health Sciences Department at IMC Krems carries out research into therapeutic and nursing care. There is also an emphasis on testing and developing treatment measures for patients.

Interdisciplinary collaboration generates new findings

Research in the Department of Health Sciences may look at interventions systematically developed by the department itself, or alternatively the focus is on systematic testing of existing interventions. Measuring the outcomes is an important part of the implementation and evaluation process.

The department carries out interdisciplinary research projects, with an emphasis on possible practical applications. The projects concentrate on topics such as health promotion, prevention and rehabilitation, as well as the entire human life cycle – from birth right through to professional care in old age. Chronic conditions are another focus area.

Our research centres on the distinct perspectives and needs of all those affected – be it clients and their relatives or the various health experts involved. Another priority is finding ways to involve patients and doctors in evaluations.

The aim is to bring practice and research closer together.

Our department consists of the following institutes:

• Institute Nursing Science
• Institute Therapeutic and Midwifery Sciences

Research focus areas

Health promotion:

• Scope of research: innovative ways to promote health across the lifespan from a bio-psycho-social perspective.
• Important areas of application: Health promotion at different stages of life, accessible programs and tools, impact of climate change on health, and therapeutic practices in nature.
• Expected impact: Improvement of the health of the population through innovative health promotion measures

Personalization:

• Scope of research: Personalized approaches in health and therapy for patients, clients and healthcare professionals.
• Important areas of application: Personalized approaches in health and therapy, e.g. adapting behavioral and cognitive interventions for people with dementia, tailored to individual needs and changing environmental conditions.
• Expected impact: Improvement of treatment outcomes and optimization of patient care.

Digitalization in the healthcare sector

• Scope of research: Development of digital solutions for healthcare issues.
• Important areas of application: Digital tools for monitoring Parkinson's symptoms, feedback through ultrasound technology, digital learning platforms on e.g. climate and red flags for health professionals, taking into account ethical principles and health literacy.
• Expected impact: Improved patient care through more precise treatments, better management of chronic diseases and advances in healthcare.

Professional development:

• Scope of research: deepening professional competencies (in light of the new training regulations), and interprofessional collaboration in teaching and research.
• Important areas of application: Interprofessional collaboration and further development of own professional field of activity. The focus is on evidence-based skills in the areas of clinical reasoning, red flags, ICF, research and dealing with violence.
• Expected impact: Improvement in the quality of healthcare.