The primary research focus of IMC Krems’ Institute of Health Management is health management and policy.

The emphasis is on designing management and communication measures that promote sustainable and health-conscious behaviour in society.

Focus on patients’ and healthcare professionals’ needs

The institute’s social and science-related research focuses are bundled in three subject areas: "Design & Health", "Career & Health", and "Economics & Health". We also place a special emphasis on collaboration with research organisations and institutes at home and abroad.

The design and health subject area includes research on product and service design from a human-centred-design perspective. In the context of the health system, the experience of various stakeholders such as patients, their relatives and healthcare professionals is at the forefront in both of these subject areas. This type of research can feed into planning for new hospitals, the development of new stress-reduction services for patients during their stay in hospital, and the development of medical products.

Research in the career and health subject area looks at career-related topics in the health sector, as well as health-specific aspects connected with careers in general. For instance, it explores how contributions can be made at various contextual levels to sustainably manage careers of healthcare employees, thereby maintaining their satisfaction, health, and productivity.

Another central focus of the Institute is on health economics and policy. Under the title "Economics & Health", questions of allocation and distribution of scarce resources in healthcare are addressed. This involves using microeconomic analyses and econometric methods to create evidence-based decision-making foundations for policymakers and leaders in the healthcare sector.

Study programmes

The institute is responsible for the Betriebswirtschaft für das Gesundheitswesen bachelor degree programme, and the Management von Gesundheitsunternehmen master programme.