Master Thesis

2021

  • 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. 

2019

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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. 

  • 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.