Completed dissertations

2025

Bachfischer, Andreas (Dr. med.)

Title: Community-Based Inclusive Development (CBID) in a transnational context: Experiences of adult community members from a CBID project for people with disabilities in urban regions in Colombia, Bolivia and Brazil
Description: This dissertation is based on a community-based project run by DAHW German Leprosy and Tuberculosis Relief Association to improve living conditions and promote social inclusion for people with disabilities in urban areas in Colombia, Bolivia and Brazil. The dissertation aims to examine the planning, implementation and contextual adaptation of this international project from the perspective of the people involved. Special attention will be paid to the essential aspect of participation in a CBID project and its impact, including on the health status of those involved.

Publication: Bachfischer, A.; Barbosa, M. C.; Rojas, A. A. R.; Bechler, R.; Schwienhorst-Stich, E.M.; Kasang, C.; Simmenroth, A.; Parisi, S. Implementing Community Based Inclusive Development for People with Disability in Latin America: A Mixed Methods Perspective on Prioritized Needs and Lessons Learned. International Journal for Equity in Health 2023, 22 (1), 147. URL.

 

Simon, Johanna (Dr. med.)

Title: Factors promoting and hindering the implementation of courses on planetary health (climate, environment and health) at medical faculties in Germany
Description: Climate change and other anthropogenic environmental changes are already having a significant impact on human health, and this impact will continue to grow in the coming decades. Due to the trust placed in them, medical professionals play a key role in communicating transformative change in society. However, medical schools in Germany are currently not teaching enough on this topic. Many universities are therefore currently establishing new courses on the topic of ‘planetary health’ (climate, environment and health). This dissertation is part of the mixed-methods study PlanetMedEd and aims to use qualitative interviews with key figures in teaching to identify factors that promote and hinder the implementation of learning content on planetary health in order to facilitate the establishment of future courses.

 

Wolf, Dominik (Dr. med.)

Title: Rational antibiotic prescribing in practice – a survey of general practitioners' knowledge and attitudes
Description: This project investigates the level of knowledge regarding the treatment of common infectious diseases in general practice and whether there is a need for further training. To this end, questionnaires are being sent to all general practitioners in the Franconia region. The survey is conducted anonymously. Participating doctors will be informed of the results via the institute's website

Publication: Wolf D, Tiedemann E, Gágyor I: Kenntnisse und Einstellungen zu Antibiotika in der hausärztlichen Praxis [PDF-Datei]

 

2024

Herchenröther, Julia (Dr. med.)

Title: Expansion of the medical history course: a prospective randomised study.
Description: Learning communication skills during medical school is essential, as patient-focused communication has many positive effects on clinical and emotional patient outcomes. As part of our doctoral thesis, we are investigating different teaching methods in the 5th semester medical history course: teaching with simulated patients vs. role-playing with fellow students and small group facilitation by lecturers vs. student tutors. We are looking at the effects on satisfaction, self-assessed learning success, practical skills (OSCE) and short-term and medium-term knowledge (written exam questions).

Publication: Herchenröther, J.; Tiedemann, E.; Vogel, H.; Simmenroth, A. Which Teaching Method Is More Effective in a Communication Course - Role-Playing versus Simulated Patients, Taught by Tutors or Faculty Staff? A Randomized Trial. GMS J Med Educ 2021, 38 (3), Doc54. URL.

 

Geck, Christina (Dr.med.)

Title: Courses on planetary health topics at medical faculties in Germany – a multi-stage descriptive cross-sectional study
Description: Climate change and other anthropogenic environmental changes are already having a significant impact on human health, and this impact will continue to grow in the coming decades. Due to the trust placed in them, medical professionals play a key role in communicating transformative change in society. However, medical schools in Germany are currently not teaching enough on this topic. Many universities are therefore currently establishing new courses on the topic of ‘planetary health’ (climate, environment and health). This dissertation is part of the mixed-methods study PlanetMedEd and uses website research and quantitative interviews to provide a structured overview of the planetary health courses offered at all 40 medical schools in Germany.

Publication: Schwienhorst-Stich, E.-M.; Geck, E.; Habermann-Horstmeier, L.; Kannapin, F.; Parisi, S.; Reese, J.-P.; Zirkel, J.; Simmenroth, A. Planetare Gesundheit in der Lehre des Querschnitts­bereichs „Klinische Umweltmedizin“ – Ergebnisse einer deskriptiven Querschnittstudie an medizinischen Fakultäten in Deutschland und Diskussion zu Handlungsoptionen. Arbeitsmed Sozialmed Umweltmed 2023. URL.

 

Makowski, Lisa (Dr. med.)

Title: General practitioners' experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences for patient care – a qualitative study
Description: General practitioners are often responsible for the primary care of patients with COVID-19. However, little is known about the specific effects of the pandemic on GP care and healthcare providers. Qualitative data collection will be used to investigate how GPs have experienced the COVID-19 pandemic and what their personal experiences have been. Semi-structured telephone interviews will be conducted with GPs from Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. The study is part of a larger cross-sectional study with a mixed methods study design. 

Publication: Makowski, L.; Schrader, H.; Parisi, S.; Ehlers-Mondorf, J.; Joos, S.; Kaduszkiewicz, H.; Gágyor, I. German General Practitioners’ Experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic and How It Affected Their Patient Care: A Qualitative Study. European Journal of General Practice 2023, 0 (0), 2156498, URL. 

 

Hajduk, Maurice (Dr.med.)

Title: Would you like a little more? Neuroenhancement in higher education – a survey at Würzburg universities
Description: For many students, meeting the demands of their studies is a challenge that should not be underestimated. This is probably one of the reasons why neuroenhancement (the non-medically prescribed use of performance-enhancing/calming substances) is not uncommon among students, according to international studies.
The aim of the dissertation is to determine the prevalence of neuroenhancement among students in selected degree programmes at the University of Würzburg and the Würzburg University of Applied Sciences. It also examines the relationship between neuroenhancement, ADHD, stress, anxiety, depression and the consumption of stimulants. The findings will be used to develop support services in Würzburg.

Publication: Hajduk Publ: Hajduk, M.; Tiedemann, E.; Romanos, M.; Simmenroth, A. Neuroenhancement and Mental Health in Students from Four Faculties – a Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study. GMS J Med Educ 2024, 41 (1), Doc9, URL.

 

Küpper, Nicola (Dr. med.)

Title: Rational antibiotic therapy in paediatric and adolescent medical practice – a cross-sectional study on knowledge and influencing factors among paediatricians and adolescent medicine specialists in private practice in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg
Description: The appropriate prescription of antibiotics plays an important role both for individual patients and in a global context due to increasing resistance rates. This dissertation project examined how well paediatricians in private practice are familiar with the prescription of antibiotics, how they assess their own competence in this regard, and whether they undertake further training. The study was conducted in 2019 using a questionnaire in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.

Publication: Kurotschka PK, Tiedemann E, Wolf D, Thier N, Forster J, Liese JG, Gagyor I. Management of Common Infections in German Primary Care: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Knowledge and Confidence among General Practitioners and Outpatient Pediatricians. Antibiotics (Basel). 2021 Sep 20;10(9):1131. doi: 10.3390/antibiotics10091131. PMID: 34572713; PMCID: PMC8466449, URL.

 

2023

Riegel, Lisa-Marie (Dr. med.)

Title: Implementation and evaluation of short-term psychiatric psychotherapy for the treatment of depressed patients in general practice: a feasibility study
Description: The path from diagnosis of depression to adequate therapy is often a long one. The general practitioner is usually the first point of contact. Sulz & Deckert (2012) developed psychotherapy cards for use by doctors in their consultations for the implementation of short-term psychiatric psychotherapy. Their effectiveness has already been confirmed in outpatient psychotherapy, but their potential for use in general practice has not yet been investigated. This dissertation aims to examine whether the consultation cards can be used effectively in a general practice setting and whether there is a general need for such a methodology among general practitioners.

 

Sudmann, Jessica (Dr. med.)

Title: Evaluation of a longitudinal extension of a course on nicotine cessation
Description: A lack of knowledge among medical students and time pressure and uncertainty on the part of doctors when advising smokers have been described many times. To address these gaps, a course on nicotine cessation was newly introduced at the UKW in the 2018/19 winter semester. Now, with a view to acquiring knowledge, changing attitudes and improving counselling skills, a follow-up observation of this cohort is being conducted in the 2020 summer semester. The feasibility of practical implementation with patients and the gain in self-confidence in nicotine cessation counselling in the block internship in general medicine in the 2020/21 winter semester is being investigated.

 

Hemkeppler, Juliane (Dr. med.)

Title: Factors influencing prescribing behaviour in the treatment of acute uncomplicated urinary tract infections in general medical care
Description: In the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections in general medicine, reserve antibiotics are often prescribed, which is problematic due to the increasing bacterial resistance situation. In order to gain a better understanding of why general practitioners deviate from the guidelines in their treatment decisions, a qualitative study with registered general practitioners is being conducted as part of the dissertation. The study investigates the contextual factors that influence general practitioners' prescribing behaviour in the treatment of urinary tract infections.

Publication: Kurotschka, P. K.; Hemkeppler, J.; Gierszewski, D.; Ghirotto, L.; Gágyor, I. General Practitioners’ Decision Making Managing Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections in Women: A Qualitative Study. BJGP Open 2024, BJGPO.2023.0224, URL. 

 

2022

Harasim, Anna Sophia B. Sc. (Dr. med)

Title: Use of complementary and alternative medicine and evaluation of vaccination rates among adult patients with primary immunodeficiencies
Description: In Germany, many patients use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) on their own initiative. Since CAM is often advertised as immune-stimulating, its use may be of particular interest to patients with primary immunodeficiencies. However, its use is often not reported, so information on usage patterns has not been available until now. Due to the increased risk of infection in this patient group, the Robert Koch Institute also recommends special vaccinations for infection prophylaxis. The aim of this study was to collect information on the use of CAM in patients with primary immunodeficiency and to provide an overview of their vaccination status.

 

Lauerer, Elias (Dr. med.)

Title: Can conversation skills for smoking cessation be taught online? A randomised prospective study comparing online and face-to-face courses in medical education
Description: Knowledge and skills relating to nicotine cessation are essential for all doctors, but are still too rarely included in medical curricula. A 90-minute course on nicotine cessation was introduced at the University of Würzburg as part of the interdisciplinary subject of prevention. The teaching methods used, seminars and online courses, were compared in terms of knowledge acquisition, attitude change and practical skills.

Publication: Lauerer, E.; Tiedemann, E.; Polak, T.; Simmenroth, A. Can Smoking Cessation Be Taught Online? A Prospective Study Comparing e-Learning and Role-Playing in Medical Education. Int J Med Educ 2021, 12, 12–21, URL.