New center meets challenges in health and care

The University of Siegen is specifically strengthening the area of health in research, teaching and transfer. To this end, the "Center for Interdisciplinary Health Research at the University of Siegen" (ZIGS) has now been founded as a new scientific institution. The center pools existing expertise across faculties and creates a central platform to jointly develop solutions for current and future challenges in the healthcare sector. One focus is on outpatient care in rural areas. In addition to interdisciplinary research on various healthcare topics, the center promotes the training and qualification of young scientists as well as the development of new, interdisciplinary degree course and further education concepts.

"The ZIGS represents an important strategic step for our university: health research is being given a visible, interdisciplinary profile. This promotes cooperation in research and teaching between different disciplines and supports the acquisition of national and international third-party funding. Cooperation with clinics, medical practices and other interest groups - especially in the region - will be facilitated," says University Rector Prof. Dr. Stefanie Reese.

"Scientists from all Schools are already active at ZIGS. We want to establish innovative methods, technologies and care concepts in four thematic clusters and put them into practice in the region," says Prof. Dr. Hans Merzendorfer, Prorectors for Studies, Teaching and Quality Management and founding coordinator of ZIGS.

The new institution is also the university's response to social changes: Demographic change, an increasing number of chronic illnesses and regional differences in medical care pose major challenges for the healthcare system. This is where the ZIGS comes in, pursuing the goal of developing innovative, practical and participatory approaches to prevention, care, nursing and rehabilitation together with a growing care network. The focus will be on strengthening citizens' health literacy, autonomy and participation.

The ZIGS is also of great importance for the South Westphalia region. The research results are to be incorporated into regional healthcare practice in a targeted manner. Through close cooperation with clinics, practices, municipalities, educational institutions, health insurance companies and other stakeholders, the center aims to contribute to the sustainable development of local healthcare. To this end, the Digital Model Region Health Tri-border Region (DGMD) under the leadership of Dr. Olaf Gaus will also be integrated into the ZIGS and the networks established within it will be made available for healthcare research. This will strengthen the region as a model area for transferable healthcare concepts: all of the university's Schools support the concept with their respective expertise in healthcare research.

The work of the ZIGS is initially divided into four research clusters:

Bio-, Information- and Medical Technology for Health
This cluster develops new biomedical and technical solutions for modern healthcare. These include innovative diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, digital assistance systems and the use of artificial intelligence to support medical decisions.

Digital healthcare research and public health
The focus here is on digital healthcare applications and their impact in everyday life. It examines how digital technologies can be integrated into prevention, care, rehabilitation and medical care in a meaningful, fair and effective way.

Health in the region
This cluster is dedicated to regional healthcare. New care models are developed, tested and scientifically evaluated together with practice partners. The aim is to establish the region as a learning model region.

Health education, skills and communication
The focus is on health education across the entire lifespan. Research and further development of health literacy, comprehensible health communication and new qualification offers should enable people to make informed decisions for their health.

The ZIGS sees itself as an open platform for all scientists at the university who conduct research on health topics. It does not create duplicate structures, but networks existing activities and strengthens efficient collaboration within the university and with the region. "With the ZIGS, the university is making an important contribution to shaping a sustainable, fair and local healthcare system," says Prof. Merzendorfer.