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Please find below further information on the application process for Bachelor’s and Master’s theses. If you are interested in writing a Master’s thesis with us, we highly recommend having a look at the «Boost your Master's Thesis in Health Science!».
The official guidelines of the University of St.Gallen apply to final theses. We have developed a clearly structured and transparent scheme for the evaluation of theses. Should you decide to write your thesis at the Chair of Health Economics, Policy and Management, we will be happy to share the evaluation scheme with you at the beginning of the writing process.
Special regulations apply to students of the Joint Medical Master JMM-HSG/UZH.
These are suitable for Bachelor's and Master's theses and can be written in German or English. For each topic, an indication of whether qualitative or quantitative skills are required is given. Generally, applications from all students of management, finance, economics, international affairs, and medicine (Joint Medical Master JMM-HSG/UZH) are welcome. | ||
| Topic | Description | Skills |
How can Therapeutic Patient Education (TPE) shape the future of managing and preventing obesity and Type 2 diabetes (T2D)? contact persons: | This thesis investigates the role of Therapeutic Patient Education (TPE) in the prevention and management of obesity and Type 2 diabetes (T2D). TPE empowers patients by equipping them with the knowledge and skills to take active control of their condition, promoting long-term lifestyle changes in diet, physical activity, and self-monitoring. In the context of chronic diseases such as T2D, patient self-management is increasingly recognized as a cornerstone of effective care, particularly in light of the rising burden of obesity-related complications. | Qualitative skills |
How can public reporting most effectively support patients with Type 2 diabetes (T2D) in managing their own health? contact persons: | This thesis could investigate how public reporting can most effectively help patients with Type 2 diabetes (T2D) manage their own health. Public reporting provides patients with transparent information about healthcare quality, such as provider performance, treatment success rates, patient satisfaction, and access to specialized services. For T2D patients, these tools can serve as a valuable resource to compare healthcare providers, choose high-quality diabetes care services, and engage more actively in their disease management. | Qualitative skills |
Hospital (capacity) planning in Asia contact persons: | Effective hospital capacity planning is essential for ensuring healthcare systems can meet patient demand while optimizing resources. Switzerland has already pioneered innovative approaches, and Germany is currently developing a new model inspired by Switzerland’s efforts. However, a broader international perspective is crucial, particularly in fast-developing regions like Asia. Many Asian countries are rapidly modernizing their healthcare infrastructure and are more willing to gather and utilize sensitive data. With fewer legacy systems in place, these countries have the flexibility to adopt cutting-edge strategies. Examining how Asian nations are embracing data-driven capacity planning can offer valuable lessons for global healthcare management and especially for planning, forecasting, and tracking hospital needs. | Qualitative skills |
Patient-reported outcome measures for pay-for-performance schemes contact persons: | Healthcare systems worldwide are increasingly shifting from volume-based to value-based reimbursement models to improve the quality of care and patient satisfaction while controlling costs. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), which capture patients’ perspectives on their health status and treatment outcomes, are emerging as key tools in this transition. This thesis will focus on conducting a scoping literature review to identify how PROMs have been integrated into reimbursement systems across different healthcare settings globally. By analyzing examples of PROM use in value-based payment models, the study aims to uncover best practices, challenges, and innovative strategies. The ultimate goal is to explore how these findings could inform the design and implementation of PROM-based reimbursement mechanisms in Switzerland. | Qualitative skills |
Modelle der Sekundärnutzung von Gesundheitsdaten in der Schweiz – Analyse aktueller Ansätze (nur Masterarbeit) contact persons: | Modelle der Sekundärnutzung von Gesundheitsdaten in der Schweiz – Analyse aktueller Ansätze | Qualitative skills |
Estimating the indirect costs of HIV in Switzerland contact persons: | Over the past four decades, advances in antiretroviral therapy have transformed HIV infection from an acute, life-threatening illness into a manageable chronic condition. As a result, people living with HIV now experience near-normal life expectancy in high-income countries such as Switzerland. However, while direct medical costs associated with HIV treatment have been extensively studied, the indirect and societal costs—including productivity losses, early retirement, informal care, and quality-of-life reductions—remain less well understood. These costs are increasingly important in the context of chronic disease management and health policy evaluation, particularly as the population ages and the prevalence of comorbidities rises. This thesis aims to comprehensively assess the indirect and societal costs of HIV in Switzerland, with a particular focus on the economic consequences that extend beyond direct healthcare expenditures. Ultimately, the findings are intended to inform policymakers and healthcare stakeholders about the full economic implications of HIV, contributing to more comprehensive cost-of-illness assessments and evidence-based strategies for long-term care planning and resource allocation in Switzerland. | Quantitative and qualitative skills |
Cost-of-Illness Analysis of Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis in Germany: A Health-Economics Focus on Indirect Costs (only Master theses) contact persons: | This thesis aims to estimate the cost of illness of hip (coxarthrosis) and knee (gonarthrosis) osteoarthritis in Germany, with particular emphasis on indirect costs such as productivity losses, days of work incapacity, and other health-economic implications. Using a quantitative approach, the study will (1) identify current prevalence and incidence data for hip and knee osteoarthritis in Germany, (2) determine and quantify key indirect cost components (e.g., sickness benefits, work absenteeism, early retirement, reduced work capacity, informal care), (3) estimate the overall economic burden of these conditions from a societal perspective, (4) compare findings to existing international cost-of-illness studies to contextualise the results, and (5) discuss policy implications for the German healthcare system and labour market, with a focus on measures that could promote earlier diagnosis and appropriate surgical interventions, such as adjustments to clinical guidelines, incentive structures for physicians, and the introduction of routine early check-ups to identify osteoarthritis at a treatable stage. The outcome will provide health-economic evidence to stakeholders and contribute to improved resource allocation and management of hip and knee osteoarthritis in Germany. | Quantitative skills |
| The topics are reviewed and updated on an ongoing basis. If you have a topic suggestion of your own, we look forward to hearing from you. | ||
Health Economics, Policy and Management
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