A Master thesis topic is available at the Centre for Digital Health Interventions!

What this thesis is about

Stroke affects millions of people worldwide, with approximately 20,000 new cases annually in Switzerland alone. Behind every stroke survivor is often a family caregiver navigating complex challenges with limited support. This thesis offers the opportunity to explore how digital health technologies can meaningfully improve their lives.

While most clinical research focusses on stroke survivors alone, there is increasing recognition that family caregivers – i.e. spouses, children, or other relatives – have their own psychological and health care needs, which are currently not being adequately addressed. Caregivers often assume unplanned, long-term responsibilities with little preparation and limited access to structured support, placing them at increased risk of adverse outcomes, including elevated rates of depression.

Digital health technologies (DHTs)—including monitoring tools, care coordination applications, conversational agents, and psychosocial support solutions—are increasingly proposed as means to support individuals affected by stroke. However, the landscape of DHTs specifically designed for family caregivers remains poorly characterized. It is not well understood which functionalities are supported and where important gaps persist.

What we’re aiming for

In this thesis, you will systematically map and analyse DHTs that support family caregivers of stroke survivors in the post-discharge phase. You will gain insight into an emerging field at the intersection of digital health, rehabilitation, and caregiving, and contribute to identifying future directions for innovation and research. The outcome will be a structured overview designed to inform researchers, clinicians, and developers about existing caregiver-facing technologies, their functionalities, and the areas in which important unmet needs persist.

What you will do

1. Develop advanced skills in systematic literature search and evidence synthesis

2. Explore and organise a rapidly evolving landscape of DHTs

3. Build a structured taxonomy of technologies and identify key innovation gaps

4. Translate your findings into insights relevant for real-world healthcare apps.

Who will participate

You will work in collaboration with Valico AG, a Swiss digital health startup developing advanced AI-tools for stroke care. This provides a unique opportunity to connect academic research with real-world innovation in a highly dynamic and rapidly evolving market.

What you will gain

1. Hands-on experience with a scoping review methodology (PRISMA-ScR)

2. Expertise in digital health technologies and caregiving research

3. Strong skills in evidence synthesis and critical analysis

4. Insight into health innovation and real-world applications

5. Experience collaborating with an academic–industry partnership

What we’re looking for

We are looking for a motivated Master’s student with an interest in digital health, neurological rehabilitation, or caregiving. Experience with literature reviews is helpful but not required. Enrolment in a relevant Master’s programme (e.g. nursing science, health sciences, health technology, or a related field) is required.

Start: As soon as possible / by arrangement

Duration: 6 months (or to be discussed)

Supervision: Prof. Dr. Marcia Nißen (CDHI), Dr. med. Eugenio Abela (Valico AG, clinical lead)

Contact: Interested students are invited to send a CV and transcript of records to Prof. Dr. Marcia Nißen