Philosophy

Our focus: Improving healthcare for people with chronic diseases

The German Foundation for the Chronically Ill (FCI) was founded in Fürth in 2004 as a non-profit, independent foundation. We are convinced that good healthcare for people with chronic illnesses should be needs-based. Our work is driven by the belief that a sustainable improvement can be achieved through:

Innovation, courageous action and the efforts of everyone in the healthcare system, such as patients and their relatives, doctors and therapists or funding parties and healthcare policy representatives.

Learn more about our philosophy.

Mission

We at the German Foundation for the Chronically Ill have the common goal of sustainable improvement of the care of people with chronic illnesses. To achieve this goal, our work is based on four pillars:

Project work

In specific projects, we work collaboratively with our partners to create the right conditions for people with chronic illnesses to receive the best possible care.

Research

Our research activities focus on empirical social research, on questions of acceptance, motivation, and on the needs of patients, healthcare professionals and other involved parties. The participation of those affected is important to us.

Networking

For us, cooperation and the linking of different stakeholders in the healthcare system is a prerequisite for further development of existing structures.

Information

Through information, we will inform the public about our work and its relevance for society to empower those affected by chronic illness to optimally manage and be in more control of their health.

Mission

We at the German Foundation for the Chronically Ill have the common goal of sustainable improvement of the care of people with chronic illnesses. To achieve this goal, our work is based on four pillars:

Project work

In specific projects, we work collaboratively with our partners to create the right conditions for people with chronic illnesses to receive the best possible care.

Research

Our research activities focus on empirical social research; on questions of acceptance, motivation, and on the needs of patients, healthcare professionals and other involved parties. The participation of those affected is important to us.

Networking

For us, cooperation and the linking of different stakeholders in the healthcare system is a prerequisite for further development of existing structures.

Information

Through information, we will inform the public about our work and its relevance for society to empower those affected by chronic illness to optimally manage and be in more control of their health.

News

16. October 2023

Herzinsuffizienz-Management neu definiert: DScK präsentiert Poster zu App-Usability bei DGK Herztagen 2023

Auf den Herztagen 2023 der Deutsche Gesellschaft für Kardiologie (DGK) wurde unser Poster „Usability-Test einer patientenorientierten Selbstmanagement-App für Patient*innen mit Herzinsuffizienz“ von Dr. Thomas M. Helms […]
12. October 2023

Unterstützung im Führungsteam der DScK: Dr. Bianca Steiner ist neue stellvertretende Leiterin Innovationen im Gesundheitswesen

Wir freuen uns, Dr. Bianca Steiner zur stellvertretenden Leiterin Innovationen im Gesundheitswesen bei der Deutsche Stiftung für chronisch Kranke zu befördern. Frau Steiner hat sich durch ihr Engagement, ihre Fachkenntnisse […]

What we do

At the German Foundation for the Chronically Ill we bring together a broad range of stakeholders from different interest groups to innovate and create. Through collaboration we embark on a process of conceptual exploration by integrating multiple perspectives to develop projects and research activities that champion diversity. Building on this diverse expertise, the foundation contributes to the success of these projects as a coordinator or scientific partner. To ensure effective partnerships, our projects and research programs prioritize planning and implementation through effective communication, collaboration and cooperation. Key areas of expertise include implementation of robust research methodologies, utilization and acceptance of innovative, health-supporting technologies, and participative research approaches.

Projects in Germany
Our ongoing projects in Germany:

  • HI-Netzwerk NORD: HI-Netzwerk NORD aims to establish a heart failure network in Schleswig-Holstein to offer patients even better care. Find out more about HI-Netzwerk NORD here.
  • WATCH: WATCH aims to optimize the care of post-COVID patients via a mobile post-COVID outpatient clinic and a multimodal, cross-symptom telemedical intervention. Find out more about WATCH here.
  • HI-PLUS: HI-PLUS aims to improve the care of heart failure patients through optimized case and care management. Find out more about HI-PLUS here.
  • CAEHR: The CAEHR project aims to better monitor the course of disease in patients with various cardiovascular diseases, improve treatment and utilize care measures more effectively. Find out more about CAEHR here.
  • PräVaNet: The aim of the PäVaNet project is to introduce optimized and interdisciplinary, guideline- and needs-based care to counteract a deterioration of patients with type 2 diabetes. Find out more about PräVaNet here.
International Projects
Our ongoing international projects:

  • PRE-DETECT-HF: In PRE-DETECT-HF, a digital health solution is being validated in a clinical trial to detect a worsening in condition of people with heart failure based on vital parameters, speech analysis and symptoms in a more timely and precise manner. Find out more about PRE-DETECT-HF here.
  • iCARE4CVD: iCARE4CVD is developing and validating prognostic models to define new treatment pathways that will enable better diagnosis, risk stratification and prediction of treatment success in cardiovascular disease. Find out more about iCARE4CVD here.
Active for the healthcare sector
In addition to our funded projects and research, we are committed to further development of structures in the German healthcare system, e.g. through:
  • DOQUVIDE, a quality assurance measure to assess the quality of care for telecardiology patients in the outpatient sector,
  • funding for the development of regional, IT-supported doctor networks for better care for people with chronic illnesses,
  • collaboration in the definition of Medical Information Objects (MIO).

More information on our commitment outside of our projects can be found here.

Networking

Our partnerships are based on transparent communication and trusting collaborations. In addition to this selection of partners, who accompany us in our work, we also collaborate with various partners in our projects. Get to know more under "What we do".

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