Dr. Jonas Lander, M.A.

deputy director

Research focus on patient orientation and health education

Telephone: +49 (0)511-532-4450

Fax: +49 (0)511-532-5376

Fields of activity

Health literacy and allergy prevention
Digitalization in patient organizations
Digital health information
Participatory health research
Research using qualitative methods
Patient University of the MHH

Scientific career

Since 2024: deputy. Head of the Research Focus Patient Orientation and Health Education
Since 2021: Postdoctoral Researcher, Institute of Epidemiology, Social Medicine and Public Health Research, MHH
2015 - 2020: Research Associate, Institute of Epidemiology, Social Medicine and Public Health Research, MHH
2015 - 2013: Research Associate, Institute of History, Ethics and Philosophy of Medicine, MHH
2013 - 2011: Trainee, MFG Innovationsagentur des Landes Baden-Württemberg für IT und Medien, Stuttgart
2011: Internship, PA (Public Advice) Europe, Brussels
2008 - 2007: Student Assistant, Maastricht University

Education

2011 - 2010 M.A. European Public Affairs, Maastricht University
2010 - 2008 Honours study programmes 'Governance of Healthcare Innovation', Maastricht University
2010 - 2007 B.Sc. European Public Health, Maastricht University

Projects

DFG Research Group FOR2959: HELICAP - Health Literacy in Early Childhood Allergy Prevention. Spokesperson of the research group: Prof. Christian Apfelbacher). Subproject "User Needs", project leader: Dr. Jonas Lander (2024-2027). Website: https://www.helicap.org/startseite

TRANSFER4health: NFDI4health meets citizen science. Funded by: NFDI4health, 2024-2025; Project management: Prof. Sabine Wöhlke, Prof. Dr. Jonas Lander, Prof. Marie-Luise Dierks). Website: https://www.nfdi4health.de/

PANDORA - Patient-oriented digitalization / Subproject II: Digitalization processes in patient organizations: Experiences, attitudes and opportunities for active participation from the members' perspective. Project website: www.pandora-forscht.de

Publications

Brütt AL, Borgmann S, Buchholz E, Burggraf L, Engler J, Fischer F, Holetzek T, Houwaart S, Icks A, Jagoda F, Kernebeck S, Kersting C, Krieger T, Kugler C, Kuske S, Lander J, Messer M, Muche-Borowski C, Münte C, Röper A-L, Salm S, Schindel D, Schreiter S, Teupen S, von Peter S, Farin-Glattacker E (2025). DNVF Memorandum Participatory Health Services Research (Part 1). Gesundheitswesen, DOI: 10.1055/a-2665-0028

Fischbock N, Oppermann L, Lander J, Seidel G, Walter U (2025). Health literacy as a building block of prevention and health promotion: An introduction for nursing education. Nursing Education 2/2025, pp. 2-7.

Lander J, Altawil H, Apfelbacher C, Bitzer EM, Brandstetter S, Fillenberg B, Hartmann M, Holmberg C, von Sommoggy J & Dierks M-L (2025). Translating and communicating evidence on allergy prevention in children to parents: implementation study protocol. Arch Public Health 83, 36 (2025). doi.org/10.1186/s13690-025-01534-2

Lander J, Wallraf S, Pieper D, Klawunn R, Altawil H, Dierks M-L & John C (2025). Recruiting participants for focus groups in health research: a meta-research study. BMC Med Res Methodol 25, 9 (2025). doi.org/10.1186/s12874-025-02464-x

Wallraf S, Dierks M-L, Wöhlke S, John C and Lander J (2025). Between willingness and practice: a nationwide survey of 1,334 German patient organization members on user involvement in digital service development. Front. Digit. Health, 06 June 2025, Sec. Human Factors and Digital Health, Volume 7 – 2025, doi.org/10.3389/fdgth.2025.1591981

Wallraf S, Köthemann S, Wiesemann C, Wöhlke S, Dierks M-L, Schmidt M, van Gils-Schmidt H, Lander J (2025). Digital Transformation in Patient Organizations: Interview and Focus Group Study. Journal of Medical Internet Research 2025;27:e62750. URL: www.jmir.org/2025/1/e62750. DOI: 10.2196/62750

Häberle N, Lander J, Dierks M-L, Bitzer EM (2024). Organizational health literacy in German hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic - results of a cross-sectional study among hospital managers. Prev Gesundheitsf doi.org/10.1007/s11553-024-01128-w

Häberle N, Lander J, Dierks ML and Bitzer EM (2024). Organizational health literacy in German hospitals: a cross-sectional survey among hospital managers. BMC Health Services Research (2024) 24:1227. doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-11649-x

Lander J, Seidel G, Klawunn R, Melin S, Dierks M-L (2024). Chronic diseases and health literacy at the interface between individuals, professions and organizations. Prev Gesundheitsf 19, 449-451 (2024). doi.org/10.1007/s11553-024-01173-5

Posselt J, Lander J, Dierks M-L (2024). Digital health applications in primary care: a basis for discussion to promote informed utilization decisions. Prev Gesundheitsf doi.org/10.1007/s11553-024-01126-y

Posselt J, Lander J, Dierks M-L (2024). Health Literacy Promotion and Digital Interventions for Depressive Disorders. HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice. 2024;8(4):e236-e245. doi:10.3928/24748307-20240730-01

von Sommoggy J, Skiba E-M, Lander J, Apfelbacher C, Curbach J, and Brandstetter S (2024). Health Literacy in Pediatric Consultations on Allergy Prevention. HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice, 2024;8(2):e47-e61. doi.org/10.3928/24748307-20240320-01

Wallraf S, Dierks M, John C, Lander J (2024). Patient Organizations' Digital Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Scoping Review. J Med Internet Res 2024;26:e58566. URL:https://www.jmir.org/2024/1/e58566. DOI: 10.2196/58566

Lander J, Altawil H, Dilger E-M, Bruett AL, Fricke LM, Hoekstra D, John C, Krauth C, Krüger K, Schaubert K, von Sommoggy J, Thiele A, Dierks M-L (2023). Synchronous online focus groups in health research: application and further development of methodology based on experiences from two mixed-methods research projects. BMC Research Notes (2023) 16:18 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-023-06288-0

Lander J, Bitzer EM, von Sommoggy J, Pawellek M, Altawil H, John C, Apfelbacher C and Dierks M-L (2023). How do parents access, appraise, and apply health information on early childhood allergy prevention? A focus group and interview study. Front. Public Health 11:1123107. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1123107

Lander J, Dierks M-L, Apfelbacher C, Bitzer EM (2023). Correspondence to The Lancet Breastfeeding Series 2023. www.thelancet.com Vol 402 August 5, 2023.https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)01191-1/fulltext

Lander J, Drixler K, Dierks M-L, Bitzer EM (2023). Strengthening the health literacy of people with allergic diseases: Development of an online intervention. In: K. Rathmann et al. (eds.), Health Literacy, Springer Reference Nursing - Therapy - Health. doi. org/10.1007/978-3-662-62800-3_40-1

Lander J, Heiberger A, Von Sommoggy J, Schulz AA, Dresch C, Altawil H, Schmitt G & Wirtz MA (2023). Intentional and actional components of engaged participation in public health research studies: qualitative synthesis of a recruitment and retention process into the theory-informed INTACT-RS framework. BMC Med Res Methodol 23, 17 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-023-01838-3

Altawil H, Klawunn R, Dierks M-L, Lander J (2022). Parental COVID-19-related health information practices, sources, evaluations and needs: A qualitative interview study. Health Expectations. 2022;1-11. DOI: 10.1111/hex.13688

Dierks M-L, Lander J, Hawkins M (eds) (2022). Health Literacy Development among People with Chronic Diseases: Advancing the State of the Art and Learning from International Practices. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. ISBN 978-3-0365-4921-7 (Hbk); ISBN 978-3-0365-4922-4 (PDF); https://doi.org/10.3390/books978-3-0365-4922-4 (registering DOI)

Gottschlich L, Dierks M-L, Lander J (2022). Content and quality of web-based health information on allergies in children. Public Health Forum 2022; 30(2): 73-76. https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/pubhef-2022-0027/html

Lander J, Dierks M-L, Hawkins M (2022). Health Literacy Development among People with Chronic Diseases: Advancing the State of the Art and Learning from International Practices. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 7315.https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19127315

Curbach J, Lander J, Dierks ML, Grepmeier EM, von Sommoggy J (2021). How do health professionals translate available evidence on early childhood allergy prevention into health literacy-responsive practice? A protocol for a mixed method study on the views of German health professionals. BMJ Open, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047733

Lander J, Curbach J, von Sommoggy J, Bitzer EM, Dierks M-L (2021). Awareness, Information-Seeking Behavior, and Information. Preferences About Early Childhood Allergy Prevention Among Different Parent Groups: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study. JMIR Res Protoc 2021, vol. 10, Iss. 1, e25474

Lander J, Dierks M-L (2020). "Who is (Really) the Focus of Engagement?" - Evidence From Engagement Research. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOETHICS 2020, Vol. 20, NO. 5, 69-71
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15265161.2020.1745933

Lander J, Haack M, Dierks M-L (2020). Citizen and patient participation in health-related research: how is participant selection reported? Z. Evid. Fortbild. Qual. Gesundh. wesen (ZEFQ) 156-157 (2020) 89-99

Matterne U, Egger N, Tempes J, Tischer C, Lander J, Dierks M-L, Bitzer E-M, Apfelbacher C (2020). Health literacy in the general population in the context of epidemic or pandemic coronavirus outbreak situations: Rapid scoping review. Patient Education and Counseling. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2020.10.012

Lander J, Drixler K, Dierks M-L, Bitzer EM (2019). How Do Publicly Available Allergy-Specific Web-Based Training Programs Conform to the Established Criteria for the Reporting, Methods, and Content of Evidence-Based (Digital) Health Information and Education: Thematic Content Evaluation. Interact J. of Medical Research, 8: 4
Link: dx.doi.org/10.2196/12225

Lander J, Langhof H, Dierks M-L (2019). Involving patients and the public in medical and health care research studies: An exploratory survey on participant recruiting and representativeness from the perspective of study authors. Plos One, 14(1)
Link: 10.1371/journal.pone. 0204187

Seidel G, Meyer A, Lander J, Dierks M-L (2019). Facets of health literacy. Results of a qualitative study with healthy and chronically ill citizens in Germany. Prevention and Health Promotion, 15: 65-72
Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11553-019-00736-1

Brandes I, Flor W, Lander J, Walter U (2018). Obesity prevention in daycare centers - overview of conceptual approaches. In: Dadaczynski K, Quilling E, Walter U [eds.], 2018. Obesity prevention in childhood and adolescence: basics, strategies and intervention concepts in lifeworlds. Bern: Hogrefe
Link: https://www.hogrefe.de/shop/uebergewichtspraevention-im-kindes-und-jugendalter-76607.html

Drixler K, Luntz E, Wiedemann R, Lander J, Schäfer I, Schmitt J, Dierks M-L, Bitzer EM (2018). What motivates patients with atopic diseases to search for information on the internet? Results of a focus group study on expectations and requirements. Der Hautarzt, 69, 832-838
Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00105-018-4241-3

Lander J, Gansert R, Brandes I. Practical example 2: KNAXIADE - a flexible project to promote physical activity in daycare centers. In: Dadaczynski K, Quilling E, Walter U [Eds.] (2018). Obesity prevention in childhood and adolescence: basics, strategies and intervention concepts in living environments. Bern: Hogrefe
Link: https://www.hogrefe.de/shop/uebergewichtspraevention-im-kindes-und-jugendalter-76607.html

Seidel G, Lander J, Dierks M-L. Unique: Health education for all - 10 years of "Patient University" at Hannover Medical School. Patient journal for respiratory diseases Luftpost, 2018

Langhof H, Lander J, Strech D (2016). Input analysis for two Public Consultations on the EU Clinical Trials Regulation. Health Research Policy and Systems, 14: 69
Link: h ttps:// doi.org/10.1186/s12961-016-0141-0

Seidel G, Kaiser B, Lander J, Dierks ML (2016). The "Hannover Patients University"- advanced mini med school concept and evaluation results. Health Education Journal, 76: 1
Link: https://doi.org/10.1177/0017896916647751

Lander J, Hainz, T, Hirschberg, I, Bossert S, Strech D (2016). Do public involvement activities in biomedical research and innovation recruit representatively? A systematic qualitative review. Public Health Genomics, 19: 193-202
Link: https://doi.org/10.1159/000444478

Dierks ML, Lander J, Seidel G (2016). Improving patient knowledge on site - experiences from the Patient University at Hannover Medical School. BLICKpunkte: People - Society - Safety
Link: https://bit.ly/3dGrohu

Lander J, Hainz T, Hirschberg I, Strech D (2014). Current practice of public involvement activities in biomedical research and innovation. A systematic qualitative review. Plos One, 9: 12
Link: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0113274

Lander J, van Hoyweghen I (2014). How political cultures affect governance efforts to protect "posted genes": Insights from Germany. Open Peer Commentary. The American Journal of Bioethics, 14: 11
Link: https://doi.org/10.1080/15265161.2014.957421

Lander J, van Hoyweghen I (2014). Streitkultur and the governance of genetic testing and insurance in Germany. New Genetics and Society, 33: 1
Link: https://doi.org/10.1080/14636778.2013.873336

Lander, J (2011). There is no legislation for human genes - The governance of genetics and insurance in Germany. In: Governance of Health Care Innovation - Excursions into Politics, Science and Citizenship. Klasien Horstman and Bart Penders (eds.). Lulu Academic
Link: https://www.amazon.de/Governance-Innovation-Excursions-Politics-Citizenship/dp/1446687147

Published abstracts

Lander J, Köthemann S, Wallraf S, van Gils-Schmidt HJ, Wiesemann C, Wöhlke S, Schmidt MA, Dierks ML (2024). Digital Information, Communications, .... Transformation? The perspective of members and leaders in patient organizations. Health - together. Cooperation conference of the German Society for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology (GMDS), German Society for Social Medicine and Prevention (DGSMP), German Society for Epidemiology (DGEpi), German Society for Medical Sociology (DGMS) and the German Society for Public Health (DGPH). Dresden, 08-13.09.2024. Düsseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2024. docAbstr. 636. doi: 10.3205/24gmds333

Rathmann K, László E, Häberle N, Fischbock N, Naef AN, Dierks ML, Lander J, Bitzer EM, Naczinsky A, Preising A, Hammes K, Spatzier D (2024). On the way to a health-competent organization: experiences from and needs for (health care) research and practice. Health - together. Cooperation conference of the German Society for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology (GMDS), German Society for Social Medicine and Prevention (DGSMP), German Society for Epidemiology (DGEpi), German Society for Medical Sociology (DGMS) and the German Society for Public Health (DGPH). Dresden, 08-13.09.2024. Düsseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2024. docAbstr. 653. doi: 10.3205/24gmds912

von Sommoggy J, Reitberger LS, Pawellek M, Lander J, Apfelbacher C, Fillenberg B, Brandstetter S (2024). Practices, barriers and facilitators in health literacy-oriented counseling for early childhood allergy prevention by midwives: Development, content validation and piloting of a questionnaire. Health - together. Cooperation conference of the German Society for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology (GMDS), German Society for Social Medicine and Prevention (DGSMP), German Society for Epidemiology (DGEpi), German Society for Medical Sociology (DGMS) and the German Society for Public Health (DGPH). Dresden, 08-13.09.2024. Düsseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2024. docAbstr. 507. doi: 10.3205/24gmds511

Wallraf S, Lander J, Dierks ML (2024). Patient and self-help organizations on the way to digitalization - Participation experiences and needs from the members' perspective. Health - together. Cooperation conference of the German Society for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology (GMDS), German Society for Social Medicine and Prevention (DGSMP), German Society for Epidemiology (DGEpi), German Society for Medical Sociology (DGMS) and the German Society for Public Health (DGPH). Dresden, 08-13.09.2024. Düsseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2024. docAbstr. 931. doi: 10.3205/24gmds544

Lander J, Altawil H, John C, Dierks M-L (2023). Internet and social media use for allergy prevention by parents of young children? A focus group and interview study. Healthcare 2023; 85(08/09): 817 - 818. doi:10.1055/s-0043-1770630

Pöhnl L, Dierks M, Grepmeier E, Hasenpusch C, Lander J, Pawellek M, Schulz AA, Schwalfenberg A, Sieferle K, von Sommoggy J, Apfelbacher C, Bitzer EM (2023). Participatory development of research priorities with parents on early childhood allergy prevention and COVID-19 in children with allergies. Public Health 2023; 85(08/09): 820 - 821. doi:10.1055/s-0043-1770641

Wallraf S, Lander J, John C, Dierks M-L (2023). Opportunities and challenges of pandemic-related digitization processes in patient and self-help organizations: A scoping review. Healthcare 2023; 85(08/09): 809 - 810. doi:10.1055/s-0043-1770599

Wallraf S, van Gils-Schmidt H J, Lander J, John C, Dierks M-L (2023). Ethics and participation as part of the digital transformation of patient and self-help organizations? An interview study on the members' perspective. Healthcare 2023; 85(08/09): 813 - 813. doi:10.1055/s-0043-1770611

Altawil H, Dierks M-L, John C, Lander J (2022). "I also think a midwife is good and I think I could well imagine it as part of the U-examinations" - Parental information behavior on the topic of early childhood allergy prevention. Public Health 2022; 84: 747 DOI 10.1055/s-0042-1753671

Altawil H, Dorr F, Dresch C, Grepmeier E-M, Hasenpusch C, Heiberger A, Lander J, Matterne U, Pawellek M, Pöhnl L, Schmitt G, Schulz AA, Sieferle K, von Sommoggy J (2022). Recruitment of study participants in socio-medical and medical-sociological research practice - expectations, practical experiences and options for theory-guided procedures. Health Services 2022; 84: 850 DOI 10.1055/s-0042-1753944

Heiberger A, Schulz AA, von Sommoggy J, Dresch C, Altawil H, Schmitt G, Lander J (2022). "Model of engaged participation in research studies" - theory-based planning and implementation of recruitment processes in public health research as part of the DFG research network HELICAP (FOR 2959). Public Health 2022; 84: 851 DOI 10.1055/s-0042-1753947

Klawunn R, Lander J, Seidel G, Melin S, Dierks M-L (2022). Social health and health literacy in research and education from an interdisciplinary perspective - Experiences from a multicenter doctoral program on health literacy of people with chronic diseases. Public Health 2022; 84: 852 DOI 10.1055/s-0042-1753949

Lander J, Altawil H, John C, Bitzer EM, Apfelbacher C, Dierks M-L (2022). Early childhood allergy prevention by parents: Results from a multicentre assessment of health literacy-related knowledge, practices and decision-making. British Society for Allergy and Immunology (BSACI) Abstracts of the World Allergy Organization (WAO) & BSACI 2022 UK Conference 25th-27th April 2022, Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC). P. 1023. DOI: 10.1111/cea.14204

Altawil H, Dierks M-L, Lander J (2021). "Arabic, in my mother language, so that I understand"- Results of a qualitative exploratory interview study with parents in the COVID-19 pandemic. Public Health 2021; 83: p. 691. DOI 10.1055/s-0041-1732086

Altawil H, Dierks ML, Lander J (2021). Parental views and uptake of (online) information about the COVID-19 vaccine - Results of a qualitative-exploratory interview study with Arabic-speaking parents during the pandemic. 20th German Congress for Health Services Research. doi: 10.3205/21dkvf193

Dierks ML, von Sommoggy J, Lander J, Loss J, Curbach J (2021). Provider Perspectives and User Needs (The article is part of the planned workshop "Health literacy in early childhood allergy prevention: parental competencies and public health context in a shifting evidence landscape (HELICAP)"). Healthcare 2021; 83: p. 664. DOI 10.1055/s-0041-1731990

Drixler K, Lyssenko L, Lander J, Hansert H, Schlegel T, Dierks ML, Bitzer EM (2021). "Selbst aktiv bei Allergie" - a web-based program to promote allergy-specific health literacy: Conceptualization and first results of a randomized controlled trial. 20th German Congress for Health Services Research. doi: 10.3205/21dkvf485

Lander J, Dilger EM, Fricke L, Hoekstra D, Krüger K, Schaubert K, von Sommoggy J, Bruett AL, Krauth C, Thiele A, Dierks ML (2021). Challenges and solutions for the digital implementation of focus groups in health-related research. 20th German Congress for Health Services Research. doi: 10.3205/21dkvf286

Lander J, Drixler K, Hansert J, Schlegel T, Bitzer EM, Dierks ML (2021). Digital interventions to improve health literacy in chronic diseases: Target group orientation as part of the transfer of scientifically complex information and evidence into everyday actions. 20th German Congress for Health Services Research. doi: 10.3205/21dkvf489

Lander J, Dierks M-L (2020). Patient and Public Involvement in health research: evidence on the practice of participant selection. European Journal of Public Health, Volume 30, Issue Supplement_5, September 2020, ckaa166.1219, https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.1219

Lander J, Dierks M-L, Somoggy J, Loss J, Curbach J (2020). Provider perspectives and user needs . 19th German Congress for Health Services Research (DKVF). 30.09.-01.10.2020. Düsseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2020. doc20dkvf075. doi: 10.3205/20dkvf075, urn:nbn:de:0183-20dkvf0751

Lander J, Drixler K, Dierks M-L, Bitzer E-M (2020). Evidence-based reporting, methods and content of allergy-specific digital training programs. European Journal of Public Health, Volume 30, Issue Supplement_5, September 2020, ckaa165.702, https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.702

Drixler K, Müller K, Lander J, Dierks M-L, Bitzer EM (2019) 'Meine Allergie und Ich' - Adaptation and validation of a self-assessment scale to assess allergy-specific health literacy. August 2019 Das Gesundheitswesen 81(8)
Link: https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-0039-1694523

Drixler K, Wiedemann R, Luntz E, Lander J, Schäfer I, Schmitt J, Dierks M-L, Bitzer EM (2018). E-health literacy for mild to moderate allergies: Impulses for information search and requirements of affected persons for internet-based interventions - a focus group study. DIMDI - German Medical Science
Link: https://www.egms.de/static/en/meetings/dkvf2018/18dkvf017.shtml

Lander J, Langhof H, Dierks M-L (2018). Public and patient involvement (PPI) in health-related research: How is the selection and representativeness of participants reported in PPI studies and how do the study authors assess PPI? DIMDI - German Medical Science
Link: https://www.egms.de/static/en/meetings/dkvf2018/18dkvf091.shtml

Drixler K, Wiedemann R, Luntz E, Lander J, Schaefer I, Schmitt J, Dierks M-L, Bitzer EM (2018). Allergy-specific health information on the internet - what motivates people with allergies to search and what requirements do they place on an internet-based intervention? Results of a focus group study. Healthcare
Link: https://www.thieme-connect.de/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-0038-1667793

Drixler K, Lander J, Dierks M-L, Bitzer EM. To what extent do allergy-specific online coaches consider quality standards for the development and delivery of internet-based health information? Results of a criteria-driven evaluation. Healthcare
Link: https://www.thieme-connect.de/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-0038-1667638

Lander J, Dierks M-L. Development of an author survey to examine conceptual and practical challenges in citizen and patient participation, Das Gesundheitswesen
Link: https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-0037-1605951