Areas of investigation/research focus
The group was established on the 26th of November 2012 and, as result of a positive evaluation in a competitive tenure track program, is permanently funded since September 2019. Its research agenda is focused on the development and evaluation of interventions with population impact and their implementation into routine care.
With such a focus it is complimentary to already existing research groups at the DZNE site Rostock/ Greifswald and at the DZNE site Witten. A close cooperation within these research groups is necessary and was established. Methods used in the research group are interventional studies, analyses and monitoring of implementation processes. IHCR has developed a distinct research agenda covering pressing issues in dementia care, which are:
- Timely diagnosis of dementia
- Optimizing treatment and care in primary care on the individual level
- Access, availability and quality of health care
- Vulnerable patient groups
- Caregiver burden and support
The five research lines focus on interventions tackling the most relevant targets in primary care. First of all procedures/ interventions need to be found to identify (vulnerable) patients. Then there need to be effective interventions those patients can benefit from. Moreover, interventions are needed that target caregivers as well. Last not least, the health care system providing effective interventions needs to be developed and analyzed to be most effective. We have found effective interventions, but for translation into routine care adaptions and implementation studies are needed.