The Department of Health Services Research fosters an interdisciplinary and participatory perspective on healthcare. Our objective is to promote individual health and independence as well as to optimize health services. Our focus is on older people and home-based care with its various actors and interfaces.

More people are reaching old age than ever before. Therefore, our research focuses on identifying characteristics of and opportunities for aging well, preventing and treating health problems, and supporting older people in managing everyday life. In this way, a self-determined and fulfilling later life can be realized, even in the face of health impairments.

Health problems often lead to restrictions in social participation. At the same time, loneliness and social isolation in late life pose challenges to coping with health problems and must be considered in the context of care provision. Enabling social participation is therefore an important concern of our research.

Digital technologies will have a significant impact on healthcare in the future. We are therefore investigating and developing sustainable digital solutions for the home environment and healthcare facilities. This includes working on strengthening the cross-sectoral use and analysis of data. In doing so, we seek to contribute to responsible digitalization geared towards the needs and preferences of users.

Our research thrives on interdisciplinary collaboration, broad methodological expertise and active involvement of stakeholders. To encompass the complexity of healthcare, we use the entire range of healthcare research methods, combining and advancing existing methods, as well as developing new approaches. A participatory approach that explicitly considers the needs and perspectives of all those involved in healthcare is important to us.