heles – Institute for Health Services Research, Law and Economics in Social and Health Care

The Institute for Health Services Research, Law and Economics in Social and Health Care (heles) brings together academic expertise from nursing and health sciences, law, and health and social economics. At its core, the Institute focuses on the interdisciplinary study of social and health care systems. Its aim is to systematically examine social needs from legal, economic, nursing, and nursing science perspectives. Based on these insights, the Institute develops evidence-based contributions for a needs-oriented, sustainable, and socially equitable care system that places people and their life situations at the center.

Focus Areas and Research Fields

heles addresses key challenges in the social and health care sector. Its research focuses on:

1. Changing societal needs driven by demographic and epidemiological developments
2. New requirements for institutions and health service delivery structures
3. Digital and technological transformations of social and nursing care systems
4. Alternative organizational and business models
5. The integration of these developments into appropriate legal frameworks

The Institute examines these topics from an interdisciplinary and interprofessional perspective, combining nursing and health sciences, law, and social and health economics. It analyzes care systems on individual, organizational, and societal levels and links empirical research with normative and economic approaches. Particular attention is given to the impact of these developments on people who receive care and support, as well as those who provide it—both professionally and informally.

Objectives

heles aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of social needs and care processes. It also seeks to design evidence-based, value-oriented models for sustainable social and health care. By bringing together nursing and health services research, law, and health and social economics, the Institute creates an integrated perspective on social security, participation, and efficiency.

Its research is application-oriented, combining theoretical insights with empirical evidence to provide guidance for practical implementation. Concepts and interventions are examined on the micro level (individuals), meso level (organizations), and macro level (society and markets). heles works closely with practice partners, institutions, and policy stakeholders. Through these collaborations, the institute contributes to the development of care models that are legally, economically, and ethically sound, responsive to people’s needs, and supportive of social participation.

The following figure is intended to illustrate the core idea of the institute: