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School of Nursing Science

Chair of Nursing Science

Person-centred and evidence-based: Innovative interventions for the care of older people

Who we are

We are a motivated team of nursing science researchers committed to person-centred and evidence-based clinical care for older people with both simple and complex care needs. Our research specialisations focus on the care needs and requirements of older people, the demands placed on informal and formal carers, and societal developments.

What we aim to achieve

Working closely with, and drawing on, the experiences of nursing practice, we develop and evaluate effective nursing interventions and feed these back into nursing practice. We provide knowledge, concepts and interventions that enable and ensure the physical and psychosocial well-being of older people in need of care, as well as a high quality of care and support.

We continue to develop nursing science concepts and research methods that advance knowledge in the field of older people and are appropriate to the subject area. In this way, we contribute to carers’ ability to justify their decisions and take action, and to a theory-guided nursing practice.

Chair holder

Portrait photo of Univ.-Prof Dr Margareta Halek

Univ.-Prof. Dr.

Margareta Halek

Department management

Faculty of Health (School of Nursing Science)

Chair holder

Faculty of Health (School of Nursing Science)  |  Chair of Nursing Science

Dean

Faculty of Health  |  Faculty Office

Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50
58455 Witten

Room number: C-1.197A / C-2.360

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Research

How we conduct our research

  • We conduct topic-specific research using exploratory and confirmatory methods to develop and evaluate person-centred and evidence-based interventions for older people requiring care.
  • We use participatory approaches to work with people in need of care and their representatives, as well as with those working in the care sector, to identify relevant topics and to develop and test interventions.
  • Our research and teaching are characterised by close collaboration with the nursing profession and relevant related disciplines.


What we research

  • Basic care tasks
    Basic care tasks encompass support for physical and psychological needs, as well as the need for good relationships. Successful communication and interaction are fundamental prerequisites for effective care relationships and, consequently, for good care. The Fundamentals of Care Framework serves as our theoretical framework.
  • Focus on dementia, behaviour and interaction
    People with dementia and their families form an important group within the field of care for older people. Our work centres on managing the dementia-related changes in the behaviour of those affected. People with dementia themselves, their relatives and carers, as well as professional carers, should be empowered to take effective preventive action, to mitigate behavioural issues and to minimise negative consequences.
  • Care-based diagnostics
    The starting point for professional care is an understanding of the person being cared for, their resources and limitations, and their specific care context. The further development of understanding-based diagnostics therefore forms a cornerstone of the department’s work.
  • The use of user-centred digital technologies in the care context
    Digitalisation can support care if it delivers tangible benefits and is consistent with a person-centred approach to care. Technologies such as apps and artificial intelligence must be integrable into everyday care practice, and their use requires careful and critical development and evaluation.

Current research projects

Completed research projects

  • MINDED.RUHR collaborative project – About the project
  • Communio firmo prosperamus: Development of a concept to promote a sense of community in residential care homes – About the project
  • HeiCO – Study to assess the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on care in residential care homes for the elderly – About the project
  • eDEM-CONNECT – Development of a communication and service platform for family carers of people with dementia experiencing behavioural difficulties – About the project
  • S1 Guideline on social participation and quality of life in residential care for older people during the Covid-19 pandemic – About the project
  • Opportunities for social participation in care homes despite Covid-19 – About the project
  • MoNoPol-Sleep – About the project

Publications from the Chair of Nursing Science

Teaching

  • We follow the principle of inquiry-based learning in order to develop and enhance students’ skills, critical reflection and theory-guided research practice.
  • We teach methods and methodologies in the field of participatory and intervention-based nursing research and put their application into practice.
  • We equip our students to use the methodological skills they have acquired to find solutions to the complex care situations faced by older people.

Courses

Doctoral studies

Master's theses

Prizes/Awards/Scholarships

The team at the Chair of Nursing Science

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