Research areas

Profile

IRS Hospital Sønderjylland is part of University Hospital of Southern Denmark. Its strategic focus is to ensure that research supports the hospital’s core mission: diagnosing and treating common diseases. To achieve this, research must be patient-centred, implementable in practice, and of high scientific quality.

The hospital has particular expertise in research into older patients with multimorbidity, focusing on the entire patient pathway within the local and integrated healthcare system. This work is carried out through close and structured collaboration with general practice and four surrounding municipalities. The knowledge generated is based on evidence from research projects rooted in long-standing interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral collaboration – both across hospital departments engaged in research and with external partners. These projects also involve a high degree of patient and public involvement.

IRS Hospital of Southern Jutland is distinguished by its establishment of a Clinical Research Department – a central unit that offers professional, structured support to researchers at every stage, from initial idea to final publication. It is also a high priority that strategies, goals, and expectations are visible and meaningful to all hospital staff. This creates a sense of ownership and pride in the research and its results.

Research strategy and focus areas

Research at Hospital of Southern Jutland is guided by the Regional Strategy for Health Research and the hospital’s own Research Strategy 2025–2028.

We aim to promote and carry out research projects of high scientific quality related to commonly occurring patient pathways, through three clinical focus areas and three researcher support initiatives:

Clinical

• Ensure research projects generate results that can be implemented and used in clinical practice
• Build and develop research units and research career pathways across all clinical and clinical service departments, in close collaboration with department leadership and hospital management
• Promote education that combines clinical practice with research

Researcher support

• Provide expert advice for research across the full patient pathway
• Secure funding for research projects involving relevant stakeholders both within and beyond the hospital
• Facilitate the formation of networks among relevant stakeholders at the hospital, regionally, nationally, and internationally

Research activities are brought together in the Clinical Research Department in Aabenraa, which provides a professional environment for high-quality research, supported by facilities and a vibrant academic setting. A range of support services is available, including library services and researcher support with guidance on finances, fundraising, data management, legal issues, statistics, and literature. Researchers can receive qualified advice on how to plan and structure their studies or research projects.