Dr. phil. Susann Walter

Research Associate

Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine,

Jena University Hospital

Bachstraße 18
07743 Jena

Phone: 03641/9-395830
Email:

Susann Walter has been working at the Institute of General Medicine since June 2022. As a research associate, she was involved in the Pat-in-Fo project (Patient Involvement in Clinical Research) until December 2023, focusing intensively on how patients can enrich and be actively involved in medical research through their individual perspectives. Since January 2024, she has been part of the Competence Center for Postgraduate Training Thuringia [Kompetenzzentrum Weiterbildung Thüringen], where she is primarily responsible for program evaluation.

After completing her Master's degree (M.A.) in Educational Science, Psychology, and German as a Foreign and Second Language (1998–2005) at Friedrich Schiller University Jena (FSU), she worked for various non-profit organizations in Jena. Since 2016, she has been employed at Jena University Hospital, working on research projects, in the SkillsLab of the Faculty of Medicine, and in the Occupational Health Service.

Her research interests focus on the implementation of health-promoting measures in workplace settings. In addition, she is a trained simulated patient trainer.

Curriculum Vitae

Professional Experience

Since 2022: Research Associate, Institute of General Medicine, Jena University Hospital ("Pat-in-Fo" Project)
Since 2017: Academic Coordinator, Occupational Health Service, Jena University Hospital
2016 – 2019: Research Associate, Jena University Hospital ("Vorbeugen durch Teilhabe" Project)
2013 – 2016: Project Manager, Bürgerstiftung Jena ("Schatzheber" Project)
2011 – 2012: Deputy Head of School Support Department, Querwege e.V. Jena
2010 – 2011: Managing Director, Geburtshaus Jena und mehr e.V.

Education

1998 – 2005: Studies in Educational Science, Psychology, and German as a Second/Foreign Language, Friedrich Schiller University Jena (Degree: Magistra Artium)

Qualifications

2024: Doctorate (Dr. phil.), Friedrich Schiller University Jena

Dissertation: Implementation Conditions of Workplace Health Promotion. A Qualitative Survey on the Introduction of a WHP Innovation from the Perspective of Implementing Agents [Implementierungsbedingungen betrieblicher Gesundheitsförderung. Eine qualitative Erhebung zur Einführung einer BGF-Innovation aus Sicht der innovationsausführenden Personen]. Advisors: Prof. Dr. Bärbel Kracke and Prof. Dr. Bernhard Strauß.

Current Focus Areas

Competence Center for Postgraduate Training Thuringia [Kompetencezentrum Weiterbildung Thüringen], with a focus on program evaluation
Pat-in-Fo Project: Integration of the patient perspective into clinical research
Workplace Health Promotion: Conditions for successful theory-to-practice transfer (doctoral research focus)

Publications

Journal Articles

Daube D, Kutschan S, Bleidorn J, Walter S, Matthes A. Patient involvement in clinical research: An explorative interview study on researchers' perspectives, barriers, and support needs [Patient*innenbeteiligung in der klinischen Forschung: Eine explorative Interviewstudie zu Perspektiven, Hürden und Unterstützungsbedarfen aus der Sicht Forschender]. Zeitschrift für Evidenz, Fortbildung und Qualität im Gesundheitswesen. 2026 Jun 23.
Walter S, Fuchs A, Mille U, Schleußner E, Fehmer T, Baumgärtner B, Guntinas-Lichius O. Challenges of interprofessional and cross-institutional curriculum development [Herausforderungen der interprofessionellen und institutionsübergreifenden Lehrentwicklung]. Annual Meeting of the Society for Medical Education (GMA); Sep 9–Sep 12, 2020; Zurich. Düsseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2020. DocP-009.
Walter S. Implementation conditions for a health promotion measure for employees with altered work performance capabilities – an interview survey [Implementierungsbedingungen einer Maßnahme zur Gesundheitsförderung leistungsgewandelter Mitarbeiter – eine Interviewbefragung]. Prävention und Gesundheitsförderung. 2018;22(1):1.

Conferences

Matthes A, Walter S. Practical tools for researchers in implementing participatory research [Praxishilfen für Forschende bei der Umsetzung partizipativer Forschung] (Symposium: Stakeholder Involvement in Primary Care Research: Practical Examples, Guidelines, and Methodological Considerations). 57th Congress of General Practice and Family Medicine; Sep 28–Sep 30, 2023; Berlin.
Walter S, Salomo S, Willgosch A, Hebestreit N. Healthy, even when limitations arise – Increasing occupational participation for employees with health-related work restrictions [Gesund, auch wenn nicht mehr alles geht – Mehr berufliche Teilhabe von Beschäftigten mit gesundheitsbedingten Arbeitseinschränkungen] (Presentation). Healthy Work Day; Nov 28, 2018; Jena.
Walter S, Salomo S, Willgosch A, Hebestreit N. Healthy, even when limitations arise – Four pathways to health promotion for employees with altered performance capabilities through integrative measures [Gesund, auch wenn nicht mehr alles geht – Vier Wege zur Gesundheitsförderung von leistungsgewandelten Beschäftigten an Hand integrativer Maßnahmen] (Poster). Spring Congress of the GfA 2018; Feb 21–Feb 23, 2018; Frankfurt.
Walter S, Salomo S, Willgosch A, Hebestreit N. Healthy, even when limitations arise: Evaluation of an occupational intervention for strengthening the health of employees with health-related work restrictions in the workplace context [Gesund-auch wenn nicht mehr alles geht. Evaluation einer betrieblichen Intervention zur gesundheitlichen Stärkung von Mitarbeitern mit gesundheitsbedingten Arbeitseinschränkungen im betrieblichen Kontext] (Poster). DVSG National Congress on Social Work in Healthcare: Thinking and Shaping Participation Socially; Oct 19–Oct 20, 2017; Kassel.
Walter S. Effectiveness of workplace interventions for strengthening the health of employees with health-related work restrictions in the workplace context – a multicenter controlled pre-post study [Wirksamkeit betrieblicher Interventionen zur gesundheitlichen Stärkung von Mitarbeitern mit gesundheitsbedingten Arbeitseinschränkungen im betrieblichen Kontext - eine multizentrische kontrollierte Prä-Poststudie]. DGF Nursing Congress at the 8th Sepsis Congress of the DSG; Sep 7–Sep 8, 2017; Weimar.