Katharina Klesper
Portrait
In 2014, I set up my own specialized agency for health communication and focus on health economic topics and issues. In my projects, I always combine a scientific, evidence-based approach with healthy and practical "pragmatism" in order to communicate products, services or content in a way that is appropriate for the target group. I originally studied Health Sciences (B.Sc.) at the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences and am happy to return to my health science roots through the ChEG doctoral program. My focus in recent years has been on health economics (M. Sc.), where my alma mater, the University of Bayreuth, has had a great influence on me. I currently have teaching assignments on the digitalization of healthcare at the Fresenius University of Applied Sciences onlineplus, on the introduction to the health and social insurance system and on health economics at the FOM in Neuss.
Topic of the doctorate
Comparison of different self-management programs in Germany and effects on health literacy, adherence and economic outcomes in people with multiple sclerosis
Background
MS is the most common neuroimmunological disease in young adults with an increasing prevalence in Europe, estimated at 127 per 100,000 inhabitants. The disease can lead to physical and mental symptoms such as muscle weakness, balance disorders, spasticity, fatigue, cognitive impairment and depression. As a result, the disease is associated with a loss of quality of life and a high economic burden, as it is an incurable, progressive disease.
To improve adherence to treatment, patient support programs, also known as self-management support programs, are offered to patients to strengthen their skills and (self-)confidence in dealing with their own disease through positive behavioral changes and to improve adherence to treatment.
Aim
The patient support programmes offered in Germany for people with MS are to be systematized as comprehensively as possible and compared with international standards of professionally managed self-management programmes. Health literacy and compliance as key outcomes will be assessed in order to investigate the impact of the programs on patients. Finally, a health economic evaluation will be carried out to assess the costs and 'benefits' of the programs.
Method
In a first step, the requirements, components and contents of professionally guided self-management programs are recorded in a systematic review. This is followed by a comparison of existing patient support programs in Germany. Health literacy and compliance are assessed using recognized instruments, and a cost-effectiveness analysis is carried out.
Publications
Journal articles
Schellong S, Kretzschmar A, Heinken A, May M, KolbeK, Schreiber S, Riess H (2020). Anticoagulation treatment of cancer patients with deep or superficial leg vein thrombosis - a retrospective observational study of German statutory health insurance claims data (the CERTIFICAT initiative) Vasa. 49.
Klesper K, Zerth J (2019). Digitalization in long-term care: an issue for medical writers? Medical Writing Vol. 28, Issue 4.
Gültzow M, Khalipour P, Kolbe K, Zöllner Y (2018). Budget impact of Antimicrobial Wound Dressings in the Treatment of Venous Leg Ulcers in the German Outpatient Care Sector: A Budget Impact Analysis. J Mark Access Health Policy. 6(1).
Reimann A, Gallwitz P, Harzheim L, Kolbe K, Nowak U, Gehrke K (2017). Patient orientation in pharmaceutical companies. Monitor Health Services Research (1/18):58-65.
Lewis A, Torvinen S, Dekhuijzen PNR, Chrystyn H, Melani A, Zöllner Y, Kolbe K, Watson AT, Blackney M, Plich A (2017). Budesonide + Formoterol delivered via Spiromax® for the Management of Asthma and COPD: The Potential Impact on unscheduled Healthcare Costs of improving Inhalation Technique compared with Turbohaler®. Respor Med. 129:179-188.
Congress contributions / Presentations / Posters
Klesper K, Dorner R, Kautz A, Rossol S (2020). Health economic evaluation of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and approaches for lifestyle interventions. Poster. German Congress for Health Services Research (DKVF) 2020, digital.
Kolbe K, Busch S, Müller H, Zerth J (2019). Systematic patient information between behavioral and relational structures using the example of Nursing. Presentation. Annual Conference of the German Society for Health Economics (DGGÖ) 2019, Augsburg.
Kolbe K, Janssen M (2019). Good practice nursing communication? Presentation. Organized meeting of the DGGÖ 2019, Augsburg.
Kolbe K (2019). How will digital Communications influence the healthcare of tomorrow? Presentation. Organized meeting European Health Innovation Collaborative (EuHIC) 2019, Berlin.
Fröhlich M, Horak I, Kolbe K, Lutermann K, Stratmann F, Zink J (2019). DIALOGFORUM "Battle of Arguments": Patient is all in: Can hospitals use the internet? - Contribution "Talking about the patient! What do patients in hospitals really perceive about digitalization?" Capital City Congress 2019, Berlin.
Fandrey L, Stutenbecker V, Henningsen M, Kolbe K, Krein S, Zwerg B (2019). Young & Digital - My professional future in healthcare. Contribution, DMEA 2019, Berlin.
Wilmsmann U, Kolbe K (2019). "Experiencing digital ethics" - Dilemmas of different industries. Moderation of Breakout Session 3 - Data Analytics at the Corporate Digital Responsibility Summit 2019, Witten-Herdecke.
Kolbe K, Ex P, Everding C, Zerth J (2018). Patient-centered healthcare: can we afford it? Economic incentives for pharma & medtech companies to work patient-centered. Moderation. EuHIC 2018 in Berlin.
Kolbe K, Krumreich J, Glatte J, Zöllner Y (2017). Treatment adherence and patient support programs in the indication area "multiple sclerosis": definitions, measurement methods and interdependencies. Presentation. DKVF 2017, Berlin.
Kolbe K, Glatte J, Zöllner Y (2016). Budget impact of the use of an innovative inhaler (DuoResp Spiromax®) in the management of asthma and COPD in Germany. Poster. Annual conference of the DGGÖ 2016, Berlin.
Kolbe K, Krumreich J, Glanemann S, Glatte J, Zöllner Y (2015). Treatment adherence and patient support programs in the indication area "multiple sclerosis": definitions, measurement methods and interdependencies - a systematic literature review. Poster. DKVF 2015, Berlin.
Other
Hollinderbäumer A, Klesper K (2020). Medical Writing - scientific texts I: From study plan to publication. MEWRH02. Apollon University of Applied Sciences of Health Economics, Bremen. Study booklet.
Kolbe K, Robert-Du Ry M (2019). Open WHO Course: Seasonal Influenza Immunization Costing Tool (Flutool Plus).
Kolbe K, Reintjes R, Robson E, Zöllner Y (2017). OpenWHO Course: Estimating the burden of seasonal influenza. Health Economics Track: Estimating Economic Impact of Seasonal Influenza.