Digital Health Ecosystems
In the topic line of
we offer topics for analysis, design, implementation, and evaluation in the following areas for a bachelor's, master's, diploma, or seminar thesis:
- Development and Evaluation of Digital Health Applications
- Interoperability for Digital Health Applications
- Digitization in the Public Health Service
- Platform business models and research data infrastructures
- Digitization in nursing care
Digitalization in the public health service
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A step-by-step approach is required to expand public health departments' digital infrastructure and networking at the local, state, and national levels. The Digital Health research group has developed a maturity model based on literature and empirical data to facilitate such a step-by-step approach. On the one hand, the maturity model should enable health authorities to measure their own level of digital maturity. Furthermore, the maturity model should support health authorities in deriving digitization potential and concrete recommendations for prioritized digitization projects. As the digitalization of public health departments is a complex undertaking, eight dimensions have been developed in the maturity model to enable digitalization in a variety of ways. These dimensions include digitalization strategy, employees, process digitalization, IT security, IT provision, citizen centricity, collaboration and software, data, and interoperability. Final theses in this subject area can, for example, address further substantiation of the individual dimensions based on the literature. |
Interoperability for Digital Health Applications
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The development of digital healthcare innovations presents interdisciplinary project teams with the major challenge of having to meet a complex set of requirements. Depending on the nature of the planned innovation and its target environment of the existing practice, various interdependent aspects must be taken into account in addition to medical quality: regulatory framework conditions, existing information system landscapes, economic interests, healthcare processes, etc., among others. In order to successfully integrate modern IT solutions into healthcare practice, a holistic (socio-technical) understanding of interoperability should be strengthened and made manageable for various types of digital health applications. |
Digital Therapeutics
| The road to DiGA: opportunities and challenges for start-ups |
| This scientific paper examines the path of start-ups to the successful listing of their products as digital therapeutics (DiGA). A DiGA is an “app on prescription” that is available to patients to support their healthcare and can be prescribed by doctors. The application process for inclusion in the DiGA directory is complex and presents start-ups with various challenges. Based on literature and interviews with relevant stakeholders, this study aims to identify the opportunities and challenges that start-ups face when applying for and listing their digital healthcare solutions as DiGAs. |
| Scientific monitoring of the development and evaluation of a health app for hip TEP patients |
| Over 200,000 patients receive an artificial hip joint every year in Germany. Patients themselves can contribute significantly to the success of their operation. of their operation. However, patients often do not receive the information they need for this in practice. This means, for example, that they are not mobilized enough, medication is taken incorrectly, or certain movements are performed that are not recommended in the first 3 months after the operation. Against this Against this background, four research group members have joined forces and founded a start-up that is developing the “ActiveTEP” app. Around the app, there are a number of scientific topics that can accompany the development and evaluation of the application. We would be happy to discuss these with you individually. |
| Development of blended care approaches using the example of obesity care | |
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| Digital health applications (DiGA) are seen as key innovations in the healthcare sector and are attracting increasing international attention. In obesity care, however, many DiGAs have so far been isolated and poorly aligned with the care context. This study investigates how a blended care approach that integrates digital and analog forms of care can be developed and optimized for obesity treatment. The aim is to integrate various DiGA into a comprehensive treatment pathway, e.g., in the form of a “master path,” in order to improve long-term therapeutic success and ensure seamless patient care. Challenges in the areas of implementation, interoperability, and adaptation to individual therapy needs are also analyzed. Digital health applications are regarded as one of the most important innovations in the German healthcare system and are becoming increasingly important. They are now also receiving a great deal of international attention and recognition. Nevertheless, many digital health applications are very selective and not very integratively tailored to the healthcare context. A scientific analysis should examine how various DiGa could be integrated in a treatment context (e.g., in the sense of a “master path” as an extension of the pathway approach). |
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Digitalization in nursing care
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More digital help for people in need of care, more telemedicine, and a suitable digital infrastructure are the goals of the law on the digital modernization of care and nursing in Germany. In the future, digital applications can also be included in standard care - for example, apps for fall prevention or memory training. The exchange between those in need of care, relatives, and care professionals can also be facilitated digitally. Against this background, the questions to be answered are what opportunities and hurdles digitalization in care entails, what the state of science (e.g., research projects) and practice (e.g., care apps) is in this area, and how digital care applications can be classified. |
Approaches and strategies for the dissemination of open source software/community building
| This thesis examines approaches and strategies for disseminating open-source software in the healthcare sector, with a particular focus on developing a sustainable community-based business model for a patient portal. The focus is on how community building can increase the acceptance and use of the portal and, at the same time, ensure long-term support and further development. The aim of the work is to analyze existing open-source community models and derive transferable success factors for the healthcare sector. A particular focus is on identifying mechanisms for retaining users and developers and establishing a user-centered development process. |
If you are interested, please e-mail a brief presentation of your ideas or subject interests, including your CV, to .