Occupational health management: students gain insights into the work of the Bundestag, ministry and Robert Koch Institute
Bringing health to employees - students on the Master's degree programme in Health Sciences and Management and the Bachelor's degree programme in Bio Science and Health at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences gained exciting insights into the work of central institutions that have a significant influence on occupational health management - Betriebliche Gesundheitsmanagement (BGM) in Berlin. The excursion offered the opportunity to combine theoretical content with practical experience.
Theory meets practice: strengthening occupational health management through policy and research
The health of employees is the focus of occupational health management. In view of increasing stress levels and the rise in mental and physical illnesses in the workplace, the protection and promotion of health in companies is increasingly taking centre stage. Based on legal regulations and with the support of various institutions, such as the Robert Koch Institute, occupational health management makes a significant contribution to creating a working environment in which employees feel valued, healthy and safe.
Students on the Master's degree programme in Health Sciences and Management and the Bachelor's degree programme in Bio Science and Health from the Faculty of Life Sciences at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences gained a deeper insight into these interrelationships during a visit to Berlin. The students were accompanied by Professor Robert Renner, head of the programme, and research assistant Heike Holtappel from the Faculty of Life Sciences. At the German Bundestag, the students gained valuable insights into how legislators are creating new laws to shape the legal framework for effective OHM and thus responding to the upcoming challenges for OHM. A visit to the Federal Ministry of Health illustrated the central role the ministry plays in the development of health strategies. The students were able to understand how the Ministry not only reacts to current health issues, but also proactively develops measures to promote the long-term health of employees.
Other highlights of the excursion included a visit to the Robert Koch Institute and the policy office of a statutory health insurance company. At the Robert Koch Institute, the students were given extraordinary insights: in addition to visiting Robert Koch's impressive mausoleum and the historic library, they immersed themselves in the exciting work of the institute in the original lecture theatre. The mixture of history and cutting-edge research made this visit a special experience. In the policy office of a statutory health insurance company, the students experienced at first hand how the work of the Federal Ministry is accompanied and influenced by the health insurance companies. In a workshop, they worked on current topics that are important for occupational health management. This allowed them to experience at first hand how health insurance companies, as important players, influence the organisation of a healthy working environment in an advisory capacity.
The students returned to the university with a wealth of new insights and enriching experiences. The excursion offered them a valuable opportunity to see how politics, research and health insurance companies work together to improve the health of employees.