Ph.D. program at the Institute of General Medicine
We are delighted that you are interested in pursuing a doctoral degree here at the Institute of General Practice!
We supervise doctoral studies that focus on research questions related to primary care and health services research. Both qualitative and quantitative methodological approaches are employed. Candidates have the option of earning a doctoral degree in medicine (Dr. med.) or in human sciences (Dr. sc. hum.). The selection of dissertation topics is linked to current research projects or research priorities at the institute.
What we expect from you:
- You have an interest in conducting scientific research on issues related to primary care and health services research.
- You are motivated, capable of completing your dissertation independently, and have sufficient time to dedicate to it.
- You work thoroughly and reliably in accordance with the guidelines for ensuring good scientific practice.
- You will publish at least one paper presenting your results in a scientific journal.
What you can expect from us:
- We offer the opportunity to regularly participate in a research workshop or a journal club at the institute.
- We offer the opportunity to present and discuss your work in the context of regular “Research Division Meetings” at the institute.
- We help you with the theoretical development of a research question and the resulting appropriate research design.
- We provide you with regular constructive feedback on your work process and your drafts.
Please contact us exclusively at the email address provided:
ifa.promotion@uniklinik-freiburg.de
Contact persons:
Prof. Dr. Andy Maun
Dr. Isabelle Hempler, MPH
Unfortunately, there are currently no topics available for doctoral research projects.
As soon as new doctoral topics are offered, we will promptly post the information here on our website.
We therefore recommend that you visit our website regularly to stay up to date.
Thank you for your understanding.
Pritzkow, Josephine: telaskoop. A digital collaboration between primary care practices, pain specialists, and patients with chronic pain. An evaluation of technical feasibility and satisfaction
Armbruster, Christoph: Mobile rehabilitation for younger people with complex health impairments: A needs analysis from an expert perspective
Doringer, Caroline: The role of general practitioners in the early detection of increased vulnerability in children—General practitioners’ perception and handling of dysfunctional family situations among their patients with regard to potential child welfare risks
Fichter, Carola: Acceptance of a health app with an exercise module for cardiovascular prevention among people whose native language is not German and who have a low level of education
Minin, Vitalii: The impact of a polypharmacy intervention during hospitalization on the appropriateness of medication at discharge
Thomas, Elisa: An exploratory analysis of physicians’ counseling strategies and experiences regarding patient-centered risk counseling for patients with cardiovascular risk within the framework of the DECADE study—a qualitative study.
von Radecki, Stefanie: How can (prospective) physicians be better supported in their education, advanced training, and career development to become general practitioners? A qualitative interview study across various phases of the medical career
Tinsel, Iris: DECADE – Development and Pilot Testing of a Structured Intervention for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases in Primary Care (Primary Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Andy Maun, Secondary Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Erik Farin-Glattacker), 2025
Terres, Leonard: Case-Based Carbon Footprint Assessment According to the GHG Protocol and Potential Analysis of Climate Protection Measures in Hospital Operations
(Primary Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Andy Maun, Secondary Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Erik Farin-Glattacker), 2025
Pfefferle, Aline: Continuity of Care and Inappropriate Prescribing of Medications in Geriatric Patients with Multimorbidity – A Cross-Sectional Analysis as Part of a Randomized, Controlled Intervention Study
(Primary Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Andy Maun, Secondary Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Erik Farin-Glattacker), 2023
Beier, Elena: Homeless women in Baden-Württemberg – a qualitative analysis of adverse health factors as well as medical and non-medical care structures: problems, wishes, and resources
(Primary reviewer: Prof. Dr. Andy Maun, Secondary reviewer: Prof. Dr. M. Körner), 2023
Mentzel, Anja: Exploration of Antibiotic Prescribing Practices and Attitudes Toward Prescribing Feedback Among German Primary Care Physicians
(Primary Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Maun, Secondary Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Unterrainer), 2022
Sauer, Julia: Associations between Inappropriate Medication and Functionality in Daily Life Among Geriatric Patients
(Primary Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Andy Maun, Secondary Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Erik Farin-Glattacker), 2022
Brettel, Paul: Use of medical care by homeless people in Baden-Württemberg—access, influencing factors, and gender aspects (
Primary reviewer: Prof. Dr. Maun, Secondary reviewer: Prof. Dr. Erik Farin-Glattacker, Section for Health Services Research and Rehabilitation Research), 2019
Krabbe, Lena: Performance Exam—The Resource-Efficient Clinical Rotation Qualification Exam
(Primary Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Niebling, Secondary Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Unterrainer), 2019
Melina Kathinka Beyer: Health Status and Healthcare for Homeless People from the Perspective of Those Affected in Baden-Württemberg
(Primary Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Niebling, Department of General Medicine; Secondary Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Erik Farin-Glattacker, Section of Health Services Research and Rehabilitation Research), 2019
Ruppel L: Students’ perspectives on the new format of the block internship (PPI) with regard to its applicability and practical benefits.
(Advisor: Dr. med. Klaus Böhme, Department of General Practice; First Reviewer: Prof. Dr. med. Wilhelm Niebling, Department of General Practice; Second Reviewer: Univ.-Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Josef Unterrainer, Dipl.-Psych., Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology), 2018
Bireckoven Martina: GermanIMPACT – The Role of Non-Medical Therapy Assistants in General Practice
(Advisor: Iris Tinsel (M.A.), Department of General Medicine; First Reviewer: Prof. Dr. med. Wilhelm Niebling, Department of General Medicine; Second Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Isaak Bermejo, Freiburg), 2016
Henle T: Factors influencing the work-life balance in general practice – a qualitative interview study
(Advisor: Dr. phil. Achim Siegel, First Reviewer: Prof. Dr. med. Wilhelm Niebling, Department of General Practice, Second Reviewer: Prof. Dr. I. Bermejo, Freiburg), 2016
Sachs P.: The influence of the general practice block rotation on medical students’ motivation to pursue a career as a family physician (
Advisor: Dr. med. Klaus Böhme, First Reviewer: Prof. Dr. med. Wilhelm Niebling, Second Reviewer: PD. Dr. Harald Baumeister), 2015
Spiegler, Stephanie: The Role of Depression in General Practitioner-Led Hypertension Treatment (Advisors: Dr. phil. Achim Siegel (Freiburg), Dr. dipl. psych. Angela Buchholz (Hamburg), First Reviewer: Prof. Dr. med. Wilhelm Niebling, Second Reviewer: Prof. Dr. I. Bermejo (Freiburg)), 2014
von Poellnitz, Paul: Implementation of participatory decision-making in general practice. (Advisors: Iris Tinsel, Dr. phil. Achim Siegel; First Reviewer: Prof. Dr. med. Wilhelm Niebling, Department of General Medicine, Uniklinik Freiburg; Second Reviewer: PD Dr. H. Baumeister, Medical Psychology and Sociology), 2014
Ben Nasr, Hatem: Participatory Decision-Making in Consultations Regarding Living Wills—A Comparison of Desired and Actual Participation
(Advisors: Dr. Thorsten Dürk, Dr. phil. Achim Siegel; First Reviewer: Prof. Dr. med. Wilhelm Niebling; Second Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Gerhild Becker), 2013
Bollmann, Caroline: Hypertension Patients in General Practice: The influence of participation, preference for participation, knowledge of hypertension, and trust in the physician on treatment adherence and systolic blood pressure
(Advisor: Iris Tinsel (M.A.), Dr. Achim Siegel; First Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Niebling – Department of General Medicine; Second Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Berner – Bad Säckingen), 2013
Bösch, Michael: Pharmacological treatment of patients with arterial hypertension in general practice – A comparison with existing guideline recommendations.
(Advisor: Iris Tinsel (M.A.), First Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Niebling – Department of General Medicine, Second Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Jaekel – AQMS Freiburg), 2013
Celanowski, Catrice: Participatory decision-making in consultations with fibromyalgia patients: What communicative content facilitates the participation of fibromyalgia patients in medical decision-making?
(Advisors: Dr. Thorsten Dürk, Dr. Achim Siegel; First Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Niebling – Department of General Practice; Second Reviewer: Dr. I. Bermejo Bragado, Isaac), 2013
Koelbing, Friedemann: Participatory decision-making in consultations regarding advance directives—a systematic review
(Advisor: Dr. Thorsten Dürk, First Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Niebling, Second Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Marco Idzko), 2013
Medda Juliane, née Kracht: Participatory Decision-Making in Consultations on Living Wills in General Practice – The Importance of Self-Efficacy and Decision Conflict for Patient Satisfaction
(Advisor: Dr. Thorsten Dürk, First Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Niebling, Second Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Marco Idzko), 2013
Promberger, Anna Katharina: Living wills from the patient’s perspective: An analysis of patient statements during medical consultations regarding living wills
(Advisors: Dr. Thorsten Dürk, Dr. Achim Siegel; First Reviewer: Prof. Dr. med. Wilhelm Niebling; Second Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Stephan Sorichter), 2013
Schardt, Titia: Participatory decision-making in hypertension treatment—the relationship between patient involvement and blood pressure management.
(Advisors: Dr. Achim Siegel, Iris Tinsel (M.A.), First Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Niebling – Department of General Medicine, Second Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Berner – Bad Säckingen), 2013
Diemer, Linda: Participatory Decision-Making in Hypertension Treatment—A Systematic Review
(Advisor: Dr. Buchholz, Angela; First Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Niebling—Department of General Medicine; Second Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Fritzsche), 2012
Döll, Anika: Shared Decision-Making in General Practice. A Systematic Analysis of the Current State of Empirical Research.
(Primary Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Niebling, Secondary Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Fritzsche), 2012
Pfaff, Anke: Primary Care Treatment of Hypertension Patients in Southern Baden – Analysis of Pharmacological Therapy and Health Behavior –
(Primary Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Niebling, Secondary Reviewer: PD Dr. K.-G. Fischer), 2012
Hornburg, Isabelle: Factors influencing the career choice of becoming a general practitioner—a systematic review of the scientific literature
(Primary reviewer: Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Niebling, Secondary reviewer: Prof. Dr. Kurt Fritzsche), 2011
Kossow, Stephanie: PUMA – Potentially Inappropriate Medication in the Elderly. A Retrospective Survey of Prescription Practices in Nursing Homes
(Primary Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Niebling, Department of General Medicine; Secondary Reviewer: Prof. Dr. K. Wink), 2011
Füller, Mareike: Cognitive Variables and Social Support and Their Significance for Treatment Motivation in General Practice Management of Hypertension
(Primary Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Niebling, Secondary Reviewer: PD Dr. K.-G. Fischer), 2010
Knapp, Alexander: Participatory decision-making in primary care for type 2 diabetes
mellitus (Primary reviewer: Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Niebling, Secondary reviewer: PD Dr. K.-G. Fischer), 2010
Schmidt-Speicher: The General Practice Mentoring Program at the University of Freiburg – A Way to Increase Student Satisfaction and Inspire Students to Pursue a Career in General Practice?
(Advisor: Dr. Klaus Böhme, First Reviewer: Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Niebling, Second Reviewer: Prof. Dr. S. Göppert), 2009
Greif, D: Medication Information – What Do Patients Understand?
(Primary Reviewer Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Niebling, Secondary Reviewer Prof. Dr. K. Wink), 2008
Hänselmann, Mirjam: Aspects of the treatment of patients with chronic pain in general practice – a study of 261 general practices in southern Germany
(Primary reviewer: Niebling W, Secondary reviewer: Härter M), 2006
Mols, Vera: Effect of Quality Circles (QCs) on Primary Care Secondary Prevention Following Stroke – An Evaluation Based on Quality Indicators
(Primary Reviewer: Prof. W. Niebling, Secondary Reviewer: Prof. A. Hetzel), 2006