Health services research and communication
The Center for Health Communication and Health Services Research was founded in April 2016 and is located in the Clinic and Polyclinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy. Since June 2024, it has been led by Prof. Dr. Nadine Scholten. She and her team focus their practical research on the quality of care from the perspective of the individuals affected, their relatives, and caregivers. One of the main focuses is on communication between patients, relatives, and the care team, but also within the medical, nursing, and therapeutic teams.
At the same time, in line with the spirit of health services research, the aim is to identify gaps in care and work with those affected to find solutions for better care. These are implemented and evaluated in the context of studies.
We participate in teaching as part of medical studies and lead the seminar “Conversation and Communication.”
The interdisciplinary team consists of psychologists, sociologists, social scientists, and health economists.
Journal Club / Methods Forum
We are delighted to invite you to our monthly Journal Club / Methods Forum! We are now offering you an exciting opportunity to regularly engage with current methodological issues in health services research and related topics, and to expand your specialist knowledge. - Further information can be found here.
Offer for methodological consulting in the field of health services research
We offer methodological consulting in the field of health services research. Our expertise covers both qualitative and quantitative research methods. From planning and implementation to analysis and interpretation of results, we are happy to advise you—you can find more information here.
Increasing utilization of chlamydia screening
A Bonn-based research project on preventive medical checkups aims to promote early detection and treatment
Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection, and if left untreated, it poses a risk of infertility in young women. However, they are not taking sufficient advantage of the offer of free chlamydia screening. In the project “FemScreen-CT – Multidimensional Analysis of Chlamydia Testing for Women Aged 16 to 25,” the Center for Health Services Research at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB), in collaboration with the Institute for Hygiene and Public Health (IHPH) at the UKB, is now investigating specific factors that influence willingness to undergo screening, as well as barriers that have so far prevented the widespread implementation of screening in Germany. The long-term goal is to effectively increase the uptake of chlamydia testing while simultaneously preventing new infections by breaking chains of transmission. The project is funded by the Innovation Fund of the Joint Federal Committee (G-BA) with 1 million euros over two years.
Further information can be found here.
Successful completion of the CARES project
A festive closing symposium was held in Berlin on November 28, 2025, to celebrate the successful completion of the CARES and QV-CARES studies.
Since 2021, the German Federal Pension Insurance Fund has been funding projects to further develop counseling services for the professional reintegration of people with and after cancer in cancer counseling centers. The Research Center for Health Communication and Health Services Research at the UKB, in cooperation with the Institute for Medical Sociology, Health Services Research, and Rehabilitation Science (IMVR) at the University of Cologne, the German Cancer Society, the Federal Working Group for Outpatient Psychosocial Cancer Counseling (BAK), the German Association for Social Work in Health Care (DVSG), the Working Group for Social Work in Oncology (ASO) in the German Cancer Society, and Leben nach Krebs! e. V. (Life after Cancer!), has developed and evaluated the career guidance program as an intensive counseling service for people returning to work. The feasibility study showed that the target group is under a lot of stress, that there is a need for intensive counseling, and that those seeking advice feel well supported. For this reason, the career guidance program will continue to be offered at cancer counseling centers as part of the CARES quality association (QV-CARES) even after the study period has ended. QV-CARES is coordinated by the German Cancer Society.
Communication and self-determination influence the birth experience
Focusing on mothers' needs and providing comprehensive information about measures taken during childbirth—a systematic study conducted as part of the MAM-Care project shows what is important for a positive birth experience.
Further information can be found here.
VIS-PARENT
Making the burdens faced by parents of chronically ill children visible
The Rheinisches Ärzteblatt published an article about our current VIS-PARENT project in issue 8/2025. Further information can be found here.
Researchers in Bonn investigate fundal pressure during childbirth
Study shows: Communication influences how women experience the measure
Despite unclear evidence and contrary to national and international guidelines, so-called fundal pressure continues to be used in many maternity clinics. A new qualitative study conducted as part of the “MAM-Care” research project at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) – in cooperation with the University of Bonn and the University Hospital Cologne – is the first to systematically investigate how women subjectively experience this controversial obstetric procedure.
How high is the parental burden?
VIS-PARENT study: Researchers in Bonn are looking for parents throughout Germany to participate in two online surveys
Parenting is challenging: Researchers in Bonn want to gain a better understanding of what everyday family life is really like – from the parents' perspective. To this end, they are developing a new graphical tool that captures the stress experienced by parents in a simple and clear way. Mothers and fathers of children up to the age of sixteen are now being sought throughout Germany for the VIS-PARENT study conducted by the Health Services Research Unit at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) in cooperation with the University of Bonn.
World Health Day focuses on promoting the health of mothers and newborns
Bonn University Hospital provides breastfeeding tips for mothers
World Health Day on April 7, 2025, marks the start of a year-long campaign to promote the health of mothers and newborns under the slogan “Healthy starts, hopeful futures.” The World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for a reduction in preventable deaths among mothers and babies and a focus on the long-term health of women. Prof. Nadine Scholten, who conducts research on breastfeeding promotion at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB), provides valuable tips and answers frequently asked questions about breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is a special experience for mother and child, but it also raises many questions: What should breastfeeding mothers eat? How much should they drink? And can the mother's diet actually influence the taste of breast milk? Prof. Scholten offers helpful answers to these and other questions.
The path to life – C-section or natural birth?
Prof. Dr. Nadine Scholten appeared on Deutschlandfunk radio's Lebenszeit program on February 21, 2025
Many pregnant women want to give birth to their child naturally. Midwives and gynecologists point out that vaginal birth has many advantages for both mother and child. However, around one third of all children in Germany are born by C-section. And it is not uncommon for women to feel that they have failed at the crucial moment. Where does the pressure to give birth naturally come from? How is childbirth discussed in our society? What myths and scientific findings exist around childbirth, and what information do expectant parents need to find the best form of delivery for them?
Guests:
Nadine Scholten, Professor of Health Services Research at the University Hospital Bonn
Jana Friedrich, midwife, author, blogger, podcaster
At the microphone: Dörte Hinrichs
You can find the Deutschlandfunk audio here.
Lying down, sitting, or on all fours?
Researchers from Bonn and Cologne investigate the link between birth position and satisfaction among expectant mothers
Whether lying on their back, on all fours, sitting upright, or squatting—women assume different birthing positions during childbirth. How the respective position affects the satisfaction of the woman giving birth has not yet been researched. Researchers at the University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), the University of Bonn, and the University of Cologne have now investigated precisely this. In particular, they considered whether the choice of birthing position was voluntary. It was found that women were more satisfied when they had chosen the position themselves. About three-quarters of those surveyed lay down during childbirth and were particularly dissatisfied with this if they felt they had not made the choice themselves. If, on the other hand, the expectant mothers had chosen the supine or lateral supine position themselves, the position actually made them more satisfied. The study has now been published in the journal “Archives of Gynecology.”
