The German Society of Nursing Science (DGP) hosted its 4th International Conference from 8 to 9 May 2025 in Berlin. The conference was a great success: Around 300 participants from academia, clinical practice, and educational institutions from Germany and 13 countries attended and contributed to a sophisticated program covering a broad range of topics of nursing research.
Prof. Inge Eberl, Chair of the German Society of Nursing Science, opened the conference. Christine Vogler, President of the German Nursing Council, Ellen Haußdörfer, State Secretary for Health and Care of the Federal State of Berlin, and Anna Axelin, Vicepresident of the European Academy of Nursing Science (EANS) gave welcome addresses.
Four renowned keynote speakers addressed global challenges and solution strategies. Prof. Kerstin Hämel, University of Vienna, Austria, highlighted the crucial role of nursing in primary health care worldwide. She emphasized the importance of well-defined roles, academic education, and political involvement of nurses. Prof. Alicia O’Cathain, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom, reflected designing and evaluation of complex nursing interventions. She stressed the need for systematic planning, evidence-based modelling, and active involvement of interest-holders and practice partners throughout the process. Prof. Melanie Messer, Würzburg University, Germany, advocated for a reimagining of the nursing profession grounded in autonomy, transdisciplinary collaboration, and visionary research. Prof. Anna Axelin, Turku University, Finland, presented innovative approaches to personalized mental health prevention using digital tools. E-health applications offer new opportunities for tailored, low-threshold, and evidence-based early interventions, especially for vulnerable populations.
The conference featured a broad range of academic contributions: 19 symposia, 7 workshops, and 68 oral presentations were held. In addition, 117 posters were presented. The contributions covered a broad range of topics, i.e. current development in nursing science, such as strengthening resilience through nursing research, technology in nursing, professionell development, theory and methodological and clinical research issues.
The HBG Foundation, established in 2022 by its founder Bernadette Branse, used the opportunity to introduce itself to the international audience. One aim of the foundation is to promote doctoral theses in nursing science. Six doctoral students introduced their dissertation projects.
Finally, three poster prizes were awarded:
1st Prize:
Case management and prevention in people with intellectual disabilities: Qualitative evaluation of a nursing and health professional intervention
Schulenkorf, T.1, Ilskens, K.1, Nadolny, S.1,2, Gröndahl, A.1, Grunwald, M.1,3, Palmdorf, S.1,4, Borchardt, N.1, Maaß, A.1, Grebe, C.1, Latteck, Ä.-D.1
1Hochschule Bielefeld – University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Faculty of Health, Institute for Educational and Health-Care Research in the Health Sector, Bielefeld, Germany, 2Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Interdisciplinary Center for Health Sciences, Institute for History and Ethics of Medicine, Halle, Germany, 3South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences, Institute for Quality Development and Management, Iserlohn, Germany, 4Niels-Stensen-Kliniken, Franziskus-Hospital Harderberg, Nursing Science Staff Unit, Georgsmarienhütte, Germany
2nd Prize:
Cancer Patients with language barriers: Prevalence and related factors in a German comprehensive cancer center
Bösche, J.1, Höckelmann, C.2, Dano, R.2, Federhen, S.3, Dangendorf, A.3, Strohbücker, B.4, Köpke, S.2
1University Hospital Cologne, Oncology Nursing Service, Cologne, Germany, 2University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Institute of Nursing Science, Cologne, Germany, 3University Hospital Cologne, Patient Information Centre, Cologne, Germany, 4University Hospital Cologne, Department of Nursing Practice Development, Cologne, Germany
3rd Prize:
Designing a methodological approach to develop a program theory for ventilator weaning in adult intensive care patients
Sterr, F.1,2, Bauernfeind, L.2,3, Rester, C.2, Metzing, S.1, Palm, R.1,4
1Witten/Herdecke University, Faculty of Health, School of Nursing Science, Witten, Germany, 2Deggendorf Institute of Technology, Faculty of Applied Healthcare Sciences, Deggendorf, Germany, 3Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Institute of Nursing Science and Practice, Salzburg, Austria, 4Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, School VI Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Health Services Research, Oldenburg, Germany
The conference served as a valuable platform for networking and exchange, not only in symposia and workshops or the food breaks, but also at the evening reception in a typical Berlin beer tavern.
„The diversity and depth of the contributions were impressive – we gained many insights for our own work,“ said one participant from Switzerland. „It was inspiring to see how strongly international exchange contributes to quality assurance,“ added a speaker from Austria.
The next international conference is already being planned and is expected to bring experts from across the world to Berlin in spring 2027.