News And Events

DISELMA at the Annual Conference of the DGPuK 2024

18.03.2024

DISELMA introduced itself to the scientific community at the Annual Conference of the DGPuK 2024 in Erfurt.

On March 15th, our research unit had the invaluable opportunity to introduce DISELMA to the scientific research community at the German Communication Association conference 2024 (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Publizistik und Kommunikation; DGPuK) held in Erfurt. 


Our spokesperson Constanze Rossmann kicked off the session by providing an insightful overview of the scope of DISELMA. This set the stage for each individual project to present its main objectives and work program for the upcoming four years.


We are deeply grateful to Prof. Dr. Gerhard Vowe (University of Düsseldorf) for graciously chairing our session. His expertise and guidance facilitated an engaging discussion with the attendees of our panel. The lively exchange of ideas and perspectives fueled our enthusiasm for the journey ahead.


Additionally, we extend our sincere gratitude to the remarkable organizing committee of the DGPuK for their tireless efforts in orchestrating such a successful event.

DISELMA Kick-Off Meeting in Munich

28.02.2024

All members of the research unit DISELMA and its advisory board met in Munich last week to kick-off the project.

Last week, on February 21st and 22nd, our DISELMA research unit embarked on a significant milestone with a two-day kick-off meeting at the Department for Media and Communication at the LMU Munich. Hosted by the research unit’s spokesperson, Prof. Dr. Constanze Rossmann, the gathering united all 13 team members across our six individual projects focusing on the role of digital media in chronic disease self-management.

 

In attendance were also our esteemed advisory board members. Associate Prof. Dr. Jessica Vitak and Assistant Prof. Dr. Lara Wolfers joined us in person, while Prof. Dr. Marie-Luise DierksProf. Dr. Lee HumphreysDr. Annett Schulze, and Prof. Dr. Horst Vollmar participated virtually. All contributed invaluable insights to our in-depth discussions  during the kick-off meeting.

 

The kick-off meeting in Munich marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for DISELMA, and we look forward to sharing our journey and insights with the broader community.

© Image by Freepik

ECHC Conference

17.11.2023

During the European Conference on Health Communication (ECHC) 2023 in Klagenfurt, Nariman Sawalha and Prof. Dr. Constanze Rossmann presented their systematic review on mHealth with healthcare provider co-use.

At the European Conference on Health Communication 2023 in Klagenfurt on November 16, our team members Nariman Sawalha and Prof. Dr. Constanze Rossmann (Individual Project: Effects, LMU Munich) presented a systematic review on mobile health interventions with healthcare provider co-use for patients with chronic diseases. The review delved into the nuanced characteristics and effectiveness of these interventions, sparking insightful discussions with engaged conference participants.

Key takeaways from our review: The crux of advancing self-management support through mHealth co-use lies in establishing effective communication channels that foster meaningful engagement between patients and healthcare providers. Going beyond the limitations of brief feedback reliant solely on self-reported data, the emphasis should lie on facilitating personal interactions to ensure tailored support and comprehensive care. For a deeper understanding of our approach and results, read the extended abstract of our review.

DFG funds Research Unit DISELMA

20.07.2023

The German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG) is funding a communication science research unit on the topic of Digital Media in Chronic Disease Self-Management (DISELMA).

We are excited to announce the establishment of the DFG-funded communication science research unit DISELMA, dedicated to exploring “Digital Media in Chronic Disease Self-Management.” 

 

Chronic diseases pose significant challenges globally, both in prevalence and economic impact. Recognizing the pivotal role of self-management, especially in the digital age, DISELMA aims to shed light on this complex interplay. The research unit DISELMA, led by spokesperson Professor Dr. Constanze Rossmann (LMU Munich), addresses this interplay through six individual projects:

    • Two projects on the individual level analyze patterns and determinants of continuous usage and effects (Prof. Dr. Veronika Karnowski, TU Chemnitz; Prof. Dr. Constanze Rossmann, LMU Munich).
    • Two projects on the interpersonal level examine the role of healthcare provision (PD Dr. Claudia Riesmeyer, LMU Munich) and informal networks (Prof. Dr. Doreen Reifegerste, University of Bielefeld).
    • One project focuses on the organizational level (Prof. Dr. Juliana Raupp, Freie Universität Berlin).
    • One project investigates the media discourse (Prof. Dr. Julia Metag, University of Münster).

By integrating these  individual projects and employing innovative methods and research designs, the research unit DISELMA aims to specify theoretical connections between the different levels and make them fruitful for related areas. Additionally, the integrated evidence on the significance of digital media in illness self-management aims to contribute to healthier conditions and empower individuals to better cope with their chronic diseases.

Participating Universities

The Research Unit DISELMA is funded by the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG) – 456132969.