Professor Gerhardus, what was your motivation to introduce research-based learning in the master’s program Public Health – Health Services, Health Economics and Health Management?

Ansgar Gerhardus: Our program is very practice-oriented. We have often observed that students find it difficult to relate theories and methods to practice. This affects both their motivation and their understanding of the theories and methods. In addition, the material learned is often forgotten by the next semester, which means that when students enter the workforce and practical issues become more important, they are unable to access the knowledge gained during their degree. The projects are carried out by external partners. This year’s partners include the AOK Bremen/Bremerhaven (statutory health insurance provider), the Hebammenverband Niedersachsen (midwifery association of Lower Saxony), the hkk Handelskrankenkasse (statutory health insurance provider), and the Kassenärztliche Vereinigung Bremen (association of statutory health insurance practitioners). This allows students to gain practical experience during their degree and offers them a space in which they can apply their knowledge independently under supervision.

What exactly does that mean?

Ansgar Gerhardus: We ask our external practice partners to come to us with topics for which they need a solution. The students spend three semesters developing that solution. It is important that they apply the different theories and methods that they have learned. This can be thought of as a training course or a circuit, with individual stations for the students called “working with routine data,” “qualitative interviews,” “ethical classification,” or “economic evaluation.” Combining these gives a comprehensive view of the topic. Not every proposed topic is suitable for this. Much of our work therefore needs to be done in preparation for the first semester, when we discuss the topics with our partners and adjust them if necessary.

How do you integrate the project into the master’s program?

Ansgar Gerhardus: The project makes up about a third of the degree program. We have linked some seminars to the project, as we have found that motivation and understanding increase when you can put what you have learned into practice right away. However, there are also seminars that are independent of the project. In one of these seminars, students use a similar process, but with a different topic and look at how to create a start-up.

Sophie, what project are you working on?

Sophie Wanders: I am working on a project with the Hebammenverband Niedersachsen. This focuses on a method developed by midwives (LoPH, or guideline-based staffing levels for midwives), which is intended to realistically calculate the staffing requirements in a delivery room and ensures one-to-one care. The aim of our research project is to develop a set of measures that will gradually move the delivery room towards a one-to-one level of care. The underlying problem is that there are too few midwives working in hospital obstetrics. Various measures, such as financial incentives, flexible working models, and the use of auxiliary staff, are designed to increase midwives’ satisfaction with their working conditions and encourage them to stay in or return to the profession.

“We also see that students develop a different self-image and self-confidence because they know that the topics they are working on are relevant.” Ansgar Gerhardus

How do you collaborate with practical partners?

Sophie Wanders: We have three members of the midwifery association actively supporting us. As they are involved in professional politics while still working as midwives, they give us many important insights into the profession. We exchange information on a regular basis, but we can also contact the midwifery association at any time with short-term concerns. Networking with midwives all over Germany allows us to form important contacts. For example, we had the opportunity to present our project at a meeting of the “Bremer Bündnis zur Förderung der Naturgeburt” (Bremen alliance to promote natural births) and to gain new impetus there.

What content do you learn here that is not taught in other courses?

Sophie Wanders: The project is characterized by its research-based approach to learning. This involves developing the research process independently and actively, using a variety of methods, and preparing and presenting the results. For the first time, we have a chance to put into practice what we have learned in our bachelor’s degree. The collaboration with practice partners allows us to learn from real problems in the healthcare sector. In addition, we can network with different healthcare groups and make important contacts for starting a career.

Professor Gerhardus, how do you assess the effects for the students?

Ansgar Gerhardus: We see that the students are very motivated to make their project a success. It’s really fun to see how much creativity and initiative students can develop. It also means that we as lecturers convey that we do not have “the solution,” but will be there to guide them professionally along the way. We also see that students develop a different self-image and self-confidence because they know that the topics they are working on are relevant. In the project, they have the chance to find out what they are already capable of and are able to talk to the project partners on an equal footing. This also significantly strengthens their position in future job interviews, as they learn how to approach new problems in a structured way.

What happens with the results?

Ansgar Gerhardus: At the end of the third semester, students organize a public symposium at the Haus der Wissenschaft (House of Science), to which representatives from the healthcare sector are invited. The students present their results and for each project, the practice partners then explain how they intend to implement these. The students also provide a comprehensive final report detailing their project. The symposium is the highlight of the academic year for both students and lecturers.

Further information

The next final presentation symposium for students in the degree program will take place on January 31, 2025 at the Haus der Wissenschaft. Everyone is welcome to attend. Further information and registration