The basic research areas of the University of Novo mesto Faculty of Health Sciences:
- Education in the field of health care;
- Organisation and management in the field of health care;
- Care of vulnerable social groups;
- Interdisciplinary aspects of the introduction of new treatment methods into clinical practice;
- Health ecology and public health.
Interdisciplinary integration is of exceptional importance in health sciences, as the field of health care is inextricably linked to the field of social sciences, and to life sciences.
1. Education and training in the field of health care:
Under this unit, research projects are being carried out relating to the organisation and effectiveness of the study process for the purpose of raising the quality of the study programme, of the implementation of clinical practice, and of the permanent education of nurses and other healthcare professionals.
It also focuses on research relating to prevention and to examining lifestyles for the purpose of designing preventive and educational programmes in the field of health care.
II. Organisation and management in the field of health care:
Organisation and management in the field of health care has a direct impact on the effectiveness of medical care and on the costs associated with health care; it also has an indirect impact on other segments of the organisation of society (e.g., the field of social services, education, etc.). The research conducted in this field is intended for analysing the situation, and for preparing guidelines and strategies for improving these activities.
III. Care of vulnerable social groups:
This unit deals with the research conducted regarding vulnerable social groups, particularly in the field of gerontology and persons with mental health problems. The research is being conducted for the purpose of analysing the situation, and for improving the care provided to these specific social groups.
IV. Interdisciplinary aspects of the introduction of new treatment methods into clinical practice:
This unit examines new methods and approaches in health care, including advanced technologies and complementary treatments. Clinical studies are the basis for introducing new treatment methods into clinical practice; in the process, we must take into account not only the treatment success rate but also the technological, economic and other aspects of the new treatment method. The research is being conducted for the purpose of analysing the success rate of certain clinical studies and examining the nursing procedures that could affect the outcome of a clinical study. This includes studies for designing models for planning and analysing (assessing) clinical studies.
V. Health ecology and public health:
This unit researches the impact of environmental factors on health, and discusses certain public health problems connected with ecology.