Palliative medicine
Cultural backgrounds, individual needs and structural conditions play a central role in the palliative care of patients and their environment. Our research focus on palliative care systematically investigates how diversity influences the last phase of life.
The research field
Palliative care accompanies people in existential situations. Cultural influences, religious beliefs and individual life realities can influence how those affected and their loved ones experience this phase and what support they need. The needs of healthcare staff are also essential in order to take them into account appropriately in the provision of care.
Our research focuses on gaining insights that contribute to needs-based palliative care that is provided with dignity by all those involved. In doing so, we pursue the following goals:
Exploring experiences in existential situations, focussing on characteristics of diversity in palliative care
Analysing the interaction between patients, their relatives and medical staff in different palliative care settings
Analysing the needs of patients, relatives and medical staff in palliative care
Scientific monitoring and evaluation of the interventions implemented in palliative care
Research projects
ErExMed: Experiences in existential medical care: Perspectives of those affected with a migration history and the treating team.
The project analyses palliative care taking into account various dimensions of diversity. Qualitative individual interviews are used to record the experiences of patients and their carers from different cultural backgrounds as well as the views of the treating professionals.
Project details
The aim of the study is to investigate care in existential medical situations, taking into account various dimensions of diversity at two locations: the palliative care unit at St Joseph's Hospital in Bochum and the Department of Transplantation Medicine at the Clinic for General, Visceral, Vascular and Transplant Surgery at Essen University Hospital.
A qualitative, participatory research design is used. The subjective experiences of patients and their close relatives with different cultural backgrounds and the perspectives of medical staff are collected in qualitative individual interviews. After an iterative analysis, preliminary and final results will be reflected upon in four meetings with those affected (patients and their relatives), staff from both clinics and the research team in order to ensure the validity and relevance of the results within the framework of the participatory approach.
ErExMed is funded from 1 July 2025 to 31 December 2025 by the InnovationsFoRUM from the special university contract 2022-2025 with the funding code ErExMed - IF-048-25.
Project team
Dr. rer. medic. Nino Chikhradze
Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB)
Medizinische Fakultät
Institut für Diversitätsmedizin
Universitätsstraße 105
MB Nord 5/135
44789 Bochum
0234-32-12385info-dimrub "«@&.de
Dr. rer. medic. Beliz Budak
Ruhr University Bochum (RUB)
Faculty of Medicine
Institute for Diversity Medicine
Universitätsstraße 105
MB Nord 5/135
44789 Bochum
beliz.budakruhr-uni-bochum "«@&.de
M.A. Christina Braunheim
Ruhr University Bochum (RUB)
Faculty of Medicine
Institute for Diversity Medicine
Universitätsstraße 105
MB Nord 5/135
44789 Bochum
Christina.braunheimruhr-uni-bochum "«@&.de
Organising communication between patients and healthcare staff in the event of a therapy limitation
The project analyses the communication and interaction patterns established in everyday clinical practice. The focus is on the reflections and impressions of all participants on the way communication is organised and on identifying the advantages and disadvantages of the approach.
Project details
The aim of the study is to scientifically analyse the communication between patients, their relatives and medical staff as well as the decision-making process for further treatment planning. The study is being conducted at the Department of Oncology and Palliative Medicine at the Augusta Hospital in Bochum.
A mixed-method design is chosen that integrates both qualitative and quantitative approaches. In a first step, individual interviews are conducted (n = 16; eight nurses and eight doctors; 45-60 minutes each), supplemented by two focus group sessions (eight participants each). The qualitative data from the interviews and focus groups will serve as the basis for the next steps within the study.
A questionnaire will be developed from the qualitative data obtained and an international literature study. This questionnaire will then be used to obtain a total of n = 150 completed data sets, which will enable the validity and relevance of the results.
The study, as a doctoral thesis, will be conducted from 1 November 2025 to 31 March 2027.
Project team
Dr. rer. medic. Nino Chikhradze
Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB)
Medizinische Fakultät
Institut für Diversitätsmedizin
Universitätsstraße 105
MB Nord 5/135
44789 Bochum
0234-32-12385info-dimrub "«@&.de
Ana Osiashvili
Ruhr University Bochum (RUB)
Faculty of Medicine
Institute for Diversity Medicine
Universitätsstraße 105
MB Nord 5/135
44789 Bochum