Master Theses

2024

  • Nursing staff experience with Integrative Medicine: a qualitative study in a Centre for Integrative Paediatrics in Switzerland

    Integrative paediatrics (IP) is becoming increasingly popular. Only two hospital paediatrics departments have integrated IP to their practice in Switzerland, and little research is available about the experience of transitioning from conventional to integrative care practice. Nurses play a pivotal role in the practice of IP. The reality of their working conditions is forcing us to rethink durable ways to practice nursing care. The aim of this study was to provide a better understanding of the nurses’ experience in an integrative nursing inpatient service and understand how their nursing workload and their job satisfaction is being influenced by it.

    Alicia Reuse

  • Usefulness of a leaflet introducing herbal medicines for the management of acute infections

    The aim of this study was to create an easy-to-use leaflet for Swiss primary care physicians to assist in prescribing phytotherapy. This leaflet provided an overview of various medicinal plants used in the treatment of common acute infections, including uncomplicated urinary tract infections, acute bronchitis and acute sinusitis. The usefulness of this leaflet was later assessed through a questionnaire.

    Lise Pasquier

  • Complementary medicine use and expectations in oncology patients at two regional hospitals in Switzerland

    The aim of this study was to better understand the characteristics and motives related to the use of complementary medicine (CM) in adult patients with cancer in two regional hospitals of Switzerland. To achieve this, we examined the prevalence of CM use and specific patterns of use including reasons, the sources of information and communication about CM with health providers and the resilience of participants and its association with CM use.

    Fanny Crettol

2023

  • Concepts and tools for teaching Family Medicine

    In the context of the introduction of a new Master's degree in medicine at the University of Fribourg, which aims to emphasize family medicine in the context of a lack of primary care doctors, we sought to define the key concepts that define this discipline and the teaching tools used to teach them. Such data would help to clarify what content should be covered and what the most appropriate didactic strategies would be. Analysis of the material sent to us by lecturers at the University of Fribourg responsible for family medicine courses together with comments from students and discussion with teachers has led to the development of a draft list of concepts and tools, which represents an avenue for improving the teaching of family medicine at undergraduate level.

    Angèle Clerc

  • What does integrative medicine offer to patients with chronic osteoarthritis-related pain: a qualitative study in the Leukerbad Rehabilitation Clinic

    As the world's population is ageing, chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis (OA) are on the rise. Beyond the significant economic impact of this disease on the healthcare system, its management represents a clinical challenge. Current guidelines for the management of OA recommend a multidisciplinary approach involving pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies, including complementary therapies. Integrative medicine could thus potentially be helpful in the management of OA, but studies in this field are lacking. The aim of this study was, therefore, to learn more about the experience of patients with OA pain who have followed an integrative medicine program, such as the one at the Leukerbad Clinic, with particular attention to hypotoxic chrono-feeding, one of the clinic's pillar therapies.

    Jeanne Constantin

  • Identification of potential challenges and assistance needs in the completion of advance directives: a qualitative study

    Advance directives (ADs) are a tool to ensure patients’ autonomy and to respect patients' wishes regarding life-sustaining therapies. There are several difficulties associated with the use of ADs. First, the willingness to complete an AD is low, which is reflected in the low prevalence of completed ADs. Second, patient autonomy is not always guaranteed despite the completion of ADs. This study aimed to identify difficulties and possible assistance needs in the drafting process around ADs so that the poor representational power of ADs can be explored, the drafting process facilitated, and thus the prevalence of ADs may be increased. 

    Anna Stoffel

2021

  • Environmental health and health effects of climate change in primary care : a scoping review.

    The changing climate is affecting our daily environment and adding challenges to healthcare. Indeed, environmental factors are responsible for many diseases. At the community level, primary care physicians could have a role to play in facing the health effects of a changing environment. This scoping review aimed to investigate how environmental health is treated in family medicine and how the effects of climate change on health are considered in this same field.

    Pauline Cottet

  • General practitioners’ job satisfaction: a scoping review

    This scoping review aimed to summarise existing literature about general practitioners’ job satisfaction within the medical field, and to cover current knowledge about their job satisfaction in the context of primary care workforce shortage.

    Lou Coquoz

  • Use, knowledge and perception of the natural remedy “Chörbliwasser” in the region of Werdenberg (CH): a qualitative study

    The “Chörbliwasser” is a natural folk remedy made from “Chörblichrut” (Myrrhis odorata). It contains no alcohol and tastes similar to anise. For at least 100 to 150 years, it has been known in the Swiss regions of Werdenberg (SG) and Emmental (BE), where it is an important part of the local tradition. However, little scientific work exists about this topic despite its regional publicity. The aim of the study was to illustrate the diverse opinions about the “Chörbliwasser” out of the perspective of producers, health professionals and consumers as well as to get a better understanding of the existing beliefs and attitudes about this remedy. 

    Rebekka Kruse

  • Management of chronic non-cancer pain patients in primary care: a qualitative study

    Chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) is a highly prevalent health issue with personal and societal consequences. Patients suffering from CNCP are mainly cared for by primary care physicians. There is a multitude of available treatment options, however, research shows that PCPs still perceive treating chronic pain as difficult. The aim of this study was to explore how primary care physicians in Switzerland manage patients with chronic non-cancer pain, specifically what their reasons for prescribing certain treatments are. 

    Lea Rufener