Innovative solutions arise from the cooperation of many interested people. Open innovation refers to the opening up of innovation processes. The knowledge of citizens, patients and external experts contributes to scientific research and helps to generate innovation.
In citizen science projects, citizens formulate research questions, report observations, conduct measurements, analyze data and/or write publications. The prerequisite is that scientific criteria are met.
Med Uni Graz supports cooperation between science and society in funded projects and also promotes the involvement of children and young people.
The ICU Families & Kids Project is an initiative that focuses on supporting relatives of intensive care patients. As part of this project, Magdalena Hoffmann investigated the (information) needs and challenges of relatives and families affected by intensive care patients.
The aim of the CONNECT project is to reach people who are interested in medical research and who benefit from its results—patients, relatives, nursing staff, and therapists. They will be given the opportunity to actively contribute their experiences and perspectives to the design and implementation of research projects.
In the SCIENCE4ALL project, patients worked with scientists to design and implement a training program. The aim is to create a common level of communication and knowledge that enables all participants to collaborate on scientific projects on an equal footing.
Success stories about delirium can help improve awareness, knowledge, and motivation in dealing with delirium. Such stories describe positive experiences related to delirium—for example, successful implementation projects, helpful support in the hospital, or innovative approaches to overcoming the challenge.
Nursing homes face the challenge of combining the special nutritional needs of older people with the principles of sustainability. As part of the SUNRISE project, a practical guide to promoting sustainable healthy eating in care facilities is being developed in close collaboration with staff and residents of a Caritas nursing home. Citizen scientists contribute their individual experiences to the data collection, evaluation, and interpretation processes, as well as to the development of the guide, thus ensuring that it is practical and tailored to everyday needs.
