Current Projects
Agile bioinspired architectures (ABA)
The research network led by Leibniz Universität Hannover is dealing with biologization and digitalization in the sense of a "Great Transformation" of society towards sustainable, biobased innovations in interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral approaches. The focus is on digital structures and architectures based on artificial intelligence to support the biologization of processes and products. IJK is responsible for research on societal perception and participation for all three sectors Personalized Medicine & Medical Technology (A), Pharma (B) and Food & Fine Chemistry (C).
In the sector of personalized medicine and medical technology, [HC]² uses the example of cancer diagnostics and therapy recommendations to investigate the question of when and under what circumstances such developments are (not) accepted. Digital structures and platforms for merging patient data and for linking with bioinspired diagnostics and new imaging techniques form the nucleus for patient-specific therapy recommendations. Personalized medicine holds enormous potential for differentiated diagnostics and thus for precisely tailored and effective therapies that can reduce the risks of overuse, underuse and misuse. At the same time, it requires additional professional and mediation skills from physicians and additional decision-making skills from patients. In a mixed-methods study, we therefore aim to identify barriers to information and acceptance of personalized medicine.
» Contact: Prof. Dr. Eva Baumann, Prof. Dr. Christoph Klimmt sowie Tanja Fisse, M.A., Magdalena Rosset, M.A.,Charlotte Schrimpff, M.A. und Nico Spreen, M.A.
Project term: 01/2022 – 06/2025
Presentations
Schrimpff, C., Fisse, T., Rosset, M. & Baumann, E. (2023, November). Clinical AI Applications in the Context of Cancer: Explaining Openness to Information and Consent to Use through Risk Perceptions and Efficacy Beliefs. Vortrag im Rahmen der European Conference on Health Communication 2023 (ECHC), 15. – 17. November 2023, Klagenfurt, Österreich.
Information needs of cancer patients and their relatives contacting a cancer information service
In cooperation with the German cancer information service (Krebsinformationsdienst, KID) of the German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ), we analyze trends in the inquiries of cancer patients and surrogate seekers to a cancer information service. The analysis of longitudinal data of the cancer information service allows to gain insights into cancer-related information needs and changes in the utilization over a 25-year period.
» Contact: Prof. Dr. Eva Baumann und Magdalena Rosset
Project run time: since 06/2017
BiPsy Monitor
The aim of project is to establish a nationwide child and adolescent monitor that maps the psychosocial care of children and adolescents in Germany. To this purpose, the care situation of children and adolescents with mental stress and abnormalities as well as the interplay of mental health, educational and teaching characteristics will be investigated in a longitudinal study. The project is funded by the Robert Bosch Stiftung and conducted in cooperation with the Faculty of Life Sciences (Institute of Psychology, Prof. Dr. Julian Schmitz) and the Faculty of Education (Prof. Hendrik Saalbach) of the University of Leipzig.
Our research focuses on identifying barriers to information and access to mental health support and counseling. A particular focus is to examine stigma mechanisms from the perspective of students, parents, and teachers. In the long term, the project aims to improve support services, develop destigmatizing and motivating communication activities, and facilitate access to care.
Project website: www.bipsy.de
»Contact: Prof. Dr. Eva Baumann and Katarina Heitz, M.Sc.
Project term: 04/2023 – 12/2026
Cancer prevention in dialog
In cooperation with the Cancer Information Service (Krebsinformationsdienst, KID), the BRCA-Netzwerk e.V and the University of Bielefeld, we are conducting a research project on the participatory development and implementation of a digital online dialogue platform for knowledge transfer on risk-adapted cancer prevention and early detection. The inclusion of affected persons and relatives from cancer self-help as well as the involvement of people from different areas of society enables to focus more strongly on previously neglected formats and target groups that are hard to reach. Thus, the communication process is shaped interactively and with the significant participation of those seeking advice. Supported by a qualitative and quantitative evaluation, the online dialog platform will be developed, piloted, implemented, and tested for its effectiveness. It integrates selected communication formats, such as a live chat with KID physicians, through which interested individuals can obtain information on the topic of familial cancer risk.
Contact: Prof. Dr. Eva Baumann and Paula Memenga, M.A.
Project term: 06/2021 – 2025
Papers
Memenga, P., Baumann, E., Luetke Lanfer, H., Reifegerste, D., Geulen, J., Weber, W., Hahne, A., Müller, A. & Weg-Remers, S. (2023). Intentions of Patients With Cancer and Their Relatives to Use a Live Chat on Familial Cancer Risk: Results From a Cross-Sectional Web-Based Survey. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 25, e45198. doi.org/10.2196/45198
Luetke Lanfer, H., Reifegerste, D., Berg, A., Memenga, P., Baumann, E., Weber, W., Geulen, J., Müller, A., Hahne, A., Weg-Remers, S. (2023). Understanding Trust Determinants in a Live Chat Service on Familial Cancer: Qualitative Triangulation Study With Focus Groups and Interviews in Germany. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 25, e44707. doi.org/10.2196/44707
Presentations
Luetke Lanfer, H., Reifegerste, D., Weber, W., Memenga, P., Baumann, E., Geulen, J., Klein, S., Hahne, A., Müller, A., Weg-Remers, S. (2023, November). Empathy in Flux: Understanding Empathetic Communication in a Cancer Live Chat. Vortrag im Rahmen der European Conference on Health Communication (ECHC), 15.-17. November 2023, Klagenfurt, Österreich.
Memenga, P., Baumann, E., Link, E., Luetke Lanfer, H., Reifegerste, D., Weber, W., Geulen, J., Hahne, A., Müller, A. & Weg-Remers, S. (2023, November). Understanding Cancer Information Repertoires of Patients and Relatives. Kurzvortrag im Rahmen der European Conference on Health Communication (ECHC), 15.-17. November 2023, Klagenfurt, Österreich.
Memenga, P., Baumann, E., Lütke Lanfer, H., Reifegerste, D., Geulen, J., Weber, W., Hahne, A., Müller, A. & Weg-Remers, S. (2022, November). Krebsprävention im Dialog – Prädiktoren der Nutzungsintention eines Live-Chats zur risikoadaptierten Krebsprävention und -früherkennung. Vortrag im Rahmen der 7. Jahrestagung der DGPuK-Fachgruppe Gesundheitskommunikation, 16.-18. November 2022, Bielefeld.
Lütke Lanfer, H., Reifegerste, D., Memenga, P., Baumann, E., Geulen, J., Weber, W., Weg-Remers, S., Hahne, A., & Müller, A. In Dialogue About Cancer Prevention: Introducing a Project on Developing a Live Chat on Familial Cancer Risk. Vortrag im Rahmen der 3rd International Conference on Cancer Prevention (CCP), 26.-27. Oktober 2022, Heidelberg.
Counselling of Cancer Patients and their Families
In the course of a research cooperation with the Cancer Information Service of the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg, we are investigating the counseling needs of cancer patients and their relatives and how they have changed over the last 25 years. By analyzing the long-term data of the Cancer Information Service, insights can be gained about cancer-related information requirements against the background of various impact factors, such as the information’s function or the state of disease.
Contact: Prof. Dr. Eva Baumann, Magdalena Rosset, M.A.
Project duration: since 06/2017
Cyberchondria
In cooperation with Prof. Dr. Marie-Luise Dierks and Prof. Dr. Astrid Müller from the Hanover Medical School (MHH), we investigate the dysfunctional consequences of excessive health-related information seeking on the Internet. The dysfunctional consequences include "cyberchondria". This describes that online users develop serious fears of becoming seriously ill through intensive online research of, for example, symptoms of illness.
An online survey of 1000 participants in an online access panel will be used to identify the influencing factors of "cyberchondria" and fear of illness. These include how health-related information is handled itself as well as socio-demographic, psychosocial and health-related factors and social context factors.
Contact: Prof. Dr. Eva Baumann, Dr. Elena Link und Dr. Dorothée Hefner
Project duration: since 2019
Papers:
Müller, A., Baumann, E. & Dierks, M.-L. (2022). Cyberchondria. In E. Ho, C. Bylund & J. van Weert (Hrsg.), The International Encyclopedia of Health Communication (S. 1–6). Wiley. doi.org/10.1002/9781119678816.iehc0624
Müller, A., Baumann, E. & Dierks, M.-L. (2021). Cyberchondria - a new behavioral syndrome?[Cyberchondrie – ein neues Verhaltenssyndrom?]
Familiy communication and resilience
Nowadays, families are exposed to a variety of stressors and strains in their everyday lives. This is why stress is an unavoidable part of family life. Against this background, communication may not only appear to be an important resource that enables families to deal effectively with stressful events, but it is also regarded as one of the fundamental key factors in promoting family resilience and health.
In this research project, we want to investigate the role of family communication in family resilience in more detail. In the first step, qualitative interviews with parents were conducted. We asked how parent-child communication takes place in general, how it develops considering stressors and resources, and what contribution it can make to family resilience. In a second step, the role of communication for family resilience will be systematically investigated in a quantitative survey in summer 2020. Aims of the research project are to characterize family communication in a more differentiated way than before and to find out what contribution individual communication behavior, routines, content, and communication types make to family resilience beyond the dimensions already found in family resilience research.
Contact: Miriam Jaspersen, Prof. Dr. Eva Baumann
Project duration: since 2019
HINTS Germany
More and more people search the Internet for health-related information and the role model in health care is changing. This requires an increase in patient’s sovereignty, a solid knowledge base regarding health topics and the skills as well as the willingness of the patients to keep themselves well-informed HINTS Germany is a cooperation of the Stiftung Gesundheitswissen and the Hanover Center for Health Communication and is up to now the biggest national survey on the health information behavior of the adult German population. HINTS Germany is an adaption of the well-established „Health Information National Trends Surveys" (HINTS) that is regularly conducted in the US since 2003.
» Contact Person: Eva Baumann
Project run time: since 03/2018
Papers
Grimm, M., Link, E., Albrecht, M., Czerwinski, F., Baumann, E. & Suhr, R. (2023). Exploring Functions and Predictors of Digital Health Engagement Among German Internet Users: Survey Study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 25, e44024. doi.org/10.2196/44024
Link, E., Baumann, E., Kreps, G. L., Czerwinski, F., Rosset, M., & Suhr, R. (2022). Expanding the Health Information National Trends Survey Research Program Internationally to Examine Global Health Communication Trends: Comparing Health Information Seeking Behaviors in the U.S. and Germany. Journal of Health Communication, 27(8), 545-554. doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2022.2134522
Link, E., Baumann, E., Czerwinski, F., Rosset, M., & Suhr, R. (2022). Of seekers and nonseekers: Characteristics of Covid‐19‐related information‐seeking behaviors. World Medical & Health Policy, 14(2), 276–294.
Czerwinski, F., Link, E., Rosset, M., Baumann, E. & Suhr, R. (2021). Correlates of the perceived quality of patient–provider communication among German adults. European Journal of Public Health, 31(5), 979–984. doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckab131
Baumann, E., Czerwinski, F., Rosset, M., Seelig, M. & Suhr, R. (2020). Wie informieren sich die Menschen in Deutschland zum Thema Gesundheit? Erkenntnisse aus der ersten Welle von HINTS Germany. Bundesgesundheitsblatt – Gesundheitsforschung – Gesundheitsschutz, 63(9), 1151-1160.
Presentations
Rosset, M., Link, E., Baumann, E., Czerwinski, F. & Suhr, R. (2022, Mai). Of Seekers and Non-Seekers: Characteristics of COVID-19-Related Information Seeking Behaviors. Präsentation im Rahmen der 72. Jahrestagung der International Communication Association (ICA), 26. – 30. Mai 2022, Paris, Frankreich.
Czerwinski, F., Link, E., Rosset, M., Baumann, E. & Suhr, R. Patientenzentrierte Sicht auf die Qualität der Arzt-Patienten-Kommunikation. Präsentation im Rahmen der 56. Konferenz der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Sozialmedizin und Prävention (DGSMP), 22.-24.09.2021, online.
Link, E. Czerwinski, F., Baumann, E., Kreps, G.L., Rosset, M., & Suhr, R. (2021, Mai). Explaining health information seeking behaviors among U.S. and German residents. Präsentation im Rahmen der 71. Jahrestagung der International Communication Association (ICA), 27.-31. Mai 2021 [digital].
Grimm, M., Link, E., Höppner, C., & Albrecht, M., (2020, Februar). Wie lässt sich die Vermeidung von Gesundheitsinformationen erklären? Erkenntnisse aus dem Health Information National Trend Survey (HINTS) Germany. Posterpräsentation im Rahmen des EbM-Kongresses, 13.-15. Februar 2020, Basel.
Link, E., Czerwinski, F., Baumann, E., Rosset, M., Suhr, R. & Kreps, G. L. (2020, April). A cross-national comparison examining major determinants of health information seeking experiences in the U.S. and Germany. Posterpräsentation im Rahmen der Kentucky Conference on Health Communication (KCHC), 2.-4. April 2020, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Czerwinski, F., Rosset, M., Höppner, C., Link, E. & Baumann, E. (2019, November). How to foster health-related self-efficacy? An analysis of interconnections between social, health and informational inequalities. Vortrag im Rahmen der European Conference on Health Communication, 13.-15. November 2019, Zürich.
Baumann, E., Rosset, M., & Czerwinski, F. (2019, Mai). HINTS in a Global Context – Germany. Vortrag im Rahmen der HINTS Data Users Conference, 22.-23. Mai 2019, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Baumann, E., Czerwinski, F. & Albrecht, M. (2019, Mai). HINTS Germany – Trendstudie zum Gesundheitsinformationsverhalten. Vortrag im Rahmen des 2. Internationalen Symposiums Gesundheitskompetenz: Forschung – Praxis – Politik, 2.-3. Mai 2019, Bielef
Mindfulness and media use
In current research, there is increasing evidence that mindfulness is a protective factor against automatic, habitual, unconscious and therefore often dysfunctional and harmful media use. As part of this project, we tested this empirically in several steps. In two studies, we investigated whether participation in mindfulness training influences smartphone and Internet use and the well-being of participants, to better understand how people can take advantage of the positive effects of new technologies and at the same time not be stressed by them. In another study, we investigated the relationships between dispositional mindfulness, dyfunctional and automatic smartphone use, stress and well-being in a representative cross-sectional survey. We are currently working on further studies on this topic and on a literature review on mindfulness and media use
Project management: Dr. Dorothée Hefner, Anna Freytag, M.A.
Project duration: Since January 2019
Papers Hefner, D. & Freytag, A.* (2023). Consciously connected: The role of mindfulness for mobile phone connectedness and stress. Media Psychology. doi.org/10.1080/15213269.2023.2253732
Transfer Life as part of the "Hanover Transfer Campus" network
The network "Hanover Transfer Campus", comprising of the Leibniz University Hannover, the Hannover Medical School, the Hanover University of Applied Sciences and Arts and the Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media, pursues the goal of strengthening the exchange between stakeholders from science, business, society and politics in the Hanover region and creating a regional innovation ecosystem.
In the sub-project "Transfer Life", the Hanover Center for Health Communication [HC]², together with partners in practice such as the Metropolregion and the Gesundheitswirtschaft Hannover e.V., is working on the development of new knowledge-based transfer formats for exchange and networking between universities and companies or institutions in the health and social economy. The aim is to develop a demand-oriented toolbox and identify best practice approaches that will strengthen regional transfer in the long term. This includes in particular dialogue and creative formats as well as supply- and demand-oriented formats from one-to-ones, workshops, and cooperation models to large industry events. The Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture and the Volkswagen Foundation support the project for a period of five years.
Contact: Prof. Dr. Eva Baumann, Magdalena Rosset
Project duration: 07/2019 - 07/2024
National oral cancer awareness campaign
The project "Improvement of early detection of oral cancer: Formative Multilevel Evaluation for the Concept Development of a National Education Campaign" with the University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein will develop a well-founded, structured and comprehensive education campaign with scientific evaluation for oral cancer in Germany.
Most patients seek medical attention at an advanced stage of oral cancer. This results in extensive treatment, reduced quality of life and a significantly poorer prognosis. The planned educational campaign aims to promote successful early detection by increasing the knowledge and awareness of oral cancer among the general public and the professional groups involved. In the communication science subproject, we will survey the knowledge of the elderly population in a formative multi-level evaluation. In addition, we will conduct a standardized content analysis of the media coverage of oral cancer and a potential analysis for the further development of the campaign media.
Project website: www.uksh.de/mkg-kiel/NaPrae_Mundkrebs
»Contact persons at IJK: Prof. Dr. Eva Baumann and Lisa Felgendreff, M. Sc.
Project Duration: 01/2023 – 06/2025
OnkoRisk NET
In the project OnkoRisk NET, we examine the use of telemedical human genetic counseling by patients and families with a genetic tumor risk syndrome in cooperation with the Hannover Medical School (MHH), the University Hospital Dresden and the Institute for Applied Health Services Research (inav). The central research question of the project is whether this new digital service, which is associated with easier digital access to genetic diagnostics and counseling, can improve care compared to current regular care. The Hanover Center for Health Communication [HC]² will particularly examine the factors that influence the intention to use telemedical counseling and the experience of this and its outcome. This includes, among others, use- and channel-specific factors (e.g., perceived usefulness, technical understanding), competence- and resource-specific factors (e.g., digital health literacy), and health-specific factors (e.g., information interest, risk perception).
Contact Prof. Dr. Eva Baumann and Paula Memenga, M.A.
Project duration: 06/2021 – 03/2025
Papers
Tecklenburg, J., Vajen, B., Morlot, S., Anders, P., Memenga, P., Link, E., Baumann, E., Wölffling, S., Schröck, E., Bergmann, A. K., & Schlegelberger, B. (2022). OnkoRiskNET: a multicenter, interdisciplinary, telemedicine-based model to improve care for patients with a genetic tumor risk syndrome. BMC Health Services Research, 22, 805. doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08172-2
OPTILATER
In the collaborative project "Optimal Long-Term Survival after Cancer", funded by the German Federal Ministry of Health, the aim is to close gaps of knowledge about the care situation and to derive recommendations for need-based care concepts for cancer survivors.
As part of our research, we are investigating the needs and potential barriers of information and support services for long-term follow-up care. The goal is the evidence-based development, testing, and implementation of diversity- and culturally-sensitive information and counseling services for cancer survivors and their families.
Project website: www.wtz.nrw/optilater
Optilater can also be found on Twitter, Instagram und LinkedIn zu finden.
»Contact: Prof. Dr. Eva Baumann
Project term: 04/2023 – 08/2025
Presentations
Hopfe, E., Baumann, E. & Grünwald, V. (2023, November). Don’t forget those who made it through! Cancer information seeking needs and behaviors among long-term cancer survivors. Vortrag im Rahmen der European Conference on Health Communication 2023 (ECHC), 15. – 17. November 2023, Klagenfurt, Österreich.
Safety-integrated and infection-reactive implants
In the communication related subproject "Trust and patient-centered communication as factors of implant safety and implantological treatment success" of the Collaborative Research Center/Transregio 298 (SFB/TRR 298), we address the question of how acceptance and trust in new implant technologies can be promoted. Communication and trust is understood as a factor of treatment success and implant safety. Hence, we investigate the importance of communication and trust dynamics for the therapy decision, sustainable compliance and treatment satisfaction of patients. With qualitative retro- and prospective interviews and network studies with patients and practitioners we aim to develop a theory of trust-based health communication and to develop strategies for patient-centered communication and knowledge transfer about smart implants.
Project website: www.siiri-sfb.de
» Contact: Prof. Dr. Eva Baumann, Dr. Elena Link, Prof. Dr. Christoph Klimmt and Tanja Fisse, M.A., Charlotte Schrimpff, M.A.
Project duration: July 2021- June 2025
Papers
Fisse, T., Link, E., Schrimpff, C., Baumann, E. & Klimmt, C. (2023). Health Information Repertoires of Implant Patients: Toward a Deeper Understanding of Multiple Source Use and the Role of Health-Related Motives. Health Communication, Advance Online Publication, 1–15. doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2023.2258597
Link, E., Baumann, E. & Klimmt, C. (2022). Understanding the importance of trust in patients’ coping with uncertainty via health information-seeking behaviors. Communications (Advance online publication). doi.org/10.1515/commun-2021-0117
Schrimpff, C., Link, E., Fisse, T., Baumann, E., & Klimmt, C. (2023). Communication matters when it comes to adverse events: Associations of adverse events during implant treatment with patients’ communication quality and trust assessments. Patient Education and Counseling, 110, 107675. doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2023.107675
Presentations
Fisse, T., Link, E., Schrimpff, C., Baumann, E. & Klimmt, C. (2023, Mai). Information repertoires of patients: Toward a deeper understanding of multiple source use and health-related motives. Vortrag im Rahmen der 73. Jahrestagung der International Communication Association (ICA), 25.-29. Mai 2023, Toronto, Kanada.
Fisse, T., Schrimpff, C., Link, E., Baumann, E. & Klimmt, C. (2023, November). Identifying Situational HISB Patterns for Uncertainty Management in Cochlear Implant Patient Journeys. Vortrag im Rahmen der European Conference on Health Communication 2023 (ECHC), 15. – 17. November 2023, Klagenfurt, Österreich.
Link, E., Schrimpff, C., Fisse, T., Baumann, E. & Klimmt, C. (2023, September). Predictors of interest in science communication using medical innovations as an example. Paper presented at the Conference of the journalism and science communication division of the DGPuK, September 20-22, 2023, Passau.
![[HC]²](/fileadmin/www.ijk/bilder/hc-quadrat/logo__hc_2.png){kind=logo}
Last modified: 2024-03-13
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