PaDiH

Research focus

The research group Patient Safety and Digital Health (PaDiH) at Danube Private University (DPU) in Wiener Neustadt is dedicated to education and research in medical law, medical ethics, and communication for future physicians. The group aims to prepare students for the complex legal, ethical, and communicative challenges of modern healthcare. By working on current medical cases, students develop a solid understanding of medical-legal issues and professional responsibility.

A central goal of the group is to promote patient-centered and efficient healthcare, supported by the targeted use of digital tools. Future physicians play a key role in driving this transformation.

Another focus lies in communication training. In addition to teaching legal and ethical frameworks, the group fosters skills necessary for constructive and trust-based doctor–patient relationships. Effective communication is considered a critical factor for high-quality care and sustainable healthcare structures.

Team and Expertise

The PaDiH group is composed of an interdisciplinary team of researchers with backgrounds in medical law, ethics, and medical education. The group’s expertise includes the development and implementation of teaching methods for medical-legal content, ethical decision-making, and communication training. The group works closely with clinical partners to ensure that its research remains practical, relevant, and aligned with real-world healthcare challenges.

Current Projects

The group’s research projects often emerge from close collaboration with medical practice and students, ensuring that the work is practice-oriented, relevant, and addresses real-world challenges in healthcare.

Current projects and research focuses include:

• Training and education of students in medical-legal issues
• Development of communication concepts for effective doctor–patient interaction
• Analysis and enhancement of patient autonomy and health literacy
• Implementation of digital tools to support teaching and learning processes

Establishment of structures for clinical ethics consultation