Katharina Schmidt-Mende's research
The HAMPUS group - Holistic Approaches to Multimorbidity in Primary Care: Unveiling Sustainable Solutions - was established 2018 and is dedicated to improving care for older adults with multimorbidity, with primary care as the foundation for long-term support. We believe care should be coordinated, evidence-based, and centered on patients' needs, preferences, and well-being.
Research focus
We address two main research areas:
1. Improving quality of care and care models
We explore how primary care can better support older adults with multiple conditions by developing care models that reduce emergency visits and improve outcomes. By analysing current practices—needs assessment, service coordination, and communication—we identify gaps such as fragmented care and conflicting treatments. These insights guide interventions that enhance collaboration and actively involve patients, caregivers, and home care staff.
2. Multimorbidity-oriented treatment approaches
Most clinical guidelines target single diseases, overlooking frail patients with multiple coexisting conditions. HAMPUS develops and evaluates strategies for multimorbidity, aiming for safe, practical interventions in everyday primary care. Using quantitative and qualitative methods, we assess management of complex conditions—such as heart failure or dementia—to better understand how illnesses and treatments interact and affect frail older adults. Our work strengthens the evidence base for multimorbidity care and translates it into practice. We share results with healthcare providers, policymakers, and community organisations through training and policy recommendations. By combining clinical, epidemiological, and qualitative perspectives, we ensure our research remains directly relevant to primary care.
Through this multidisciplinary approach, HAMPUS creates sustainable solutions that improve care and enhance the quality of life for older adults with multimorbidity - shaping a more responsive and effective primary care system.
Contact
Katharina Schmidt-Mende
Affiliated to ResearchCollaborators and researchers
The HAMPUS group with nine members consists of both senior and junior researchers. The group is chaired by Katharina Schmidt-Mende, docent in general practice, who is specialist in general practice and internal medicine. HAMPUS has expertise in primary care, emergency care, nursing, epidemiology, qualitative methodology, clinical pharmacology, teaching, pedagogical research and digital decision support. HAMPUS members are affiliated to the Academic primary health care center, Karolinska Instutitet, NVS, the Divisions of Family Medicine and Primary Care and Nursing, Division of Clinical Pharmacology at the Department of Laboratory Medicine, the KI Institute of Environmental Medicine and Healthcare Services Board at Region Stockholm.
Group members are:
- Pia Bastholm Rahmner, PhD, behavioural scientist
- Monica Bergqvist, PhD, registered nurse
- Hanna Bring, MD, PhD student, resident GP
- Eric Chen, MD, PhD student, resident GP
- Birgit Eiermann, MScPharm, PhD, pharmacist
- Lars L Gustafsson, Professor in Clinical Pharmacology
- Clare Tazzeo, PhD, post doc researcher in epidemiology
- Anikó Vég, PhD, special educator
Collaboration
- Karin Modig, docent, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡, Institute of Environmental Medicine
- Carolina Szummer, docent, specialist in cardiology, Karolinska University Hospital
- Björn Wettermark, professor, Uppsala University
- Bruce Guthrie, professor, GP, University of Edinburgh
- Stewart Mercer, professor, GP, University of Edinburgh
- Jens Søndergaard, professor, GP and clinical pharmacologist, University of Southern Denmark
- Marcus Ebeling, assosiate professor, Dr. rer. Pol, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research and Rostock University
Founding
- Swedish Research Council
- FORTE
- King Gustaf V and Queen Victoria's Foundation
- Center for Innovative MEDicine
- ALF
- NSV
- regional grants for post docs and PhD students
Selected publications
Chen E, Ding M, Szummer K, Bergqvist M, Modig K, Schmidt-Mende K
Br J Gen Pract 2025 Jul;():
Bergqvist M, Bastholm-Rahmner P, Modig K, Schmidt-Mende K
Scand J Prim Health Care 2025 Jul;():1-14
Ding M, Schmidt-Mende K, Modig K
JAMA Netw Open 2025 Feb;8(2):e2461117
Schmidt-Mende K, Arvinge C, Cioffi G, Gustafsson LL, Modig K, Meyer AC
BMC Geriatr 2024 Apr;24(1):312
Bergqvist M, Bastholm-Rahmner P, Modig K, Gustafsson LL, Schmidt-Mende K
J Gerontol Soc Work 2024 ;67(6):841-860
Ding, Mozhu et al.
The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, Volume 45, 101029
Bergqvist M, Bastholm-Rahmner P, Gustafsson LL, Holmgren K, Veg A, Wachtler C, Schmidt-Mende K
Int J Older People Nurs 2023 Jan;18(1):e12498
Bastholm-Rahmner P, Bergqvist M, Modig K, Gustafsson LL, Schmidt-Mende K
BMC Geriatr 2024 Apr;24(1):350
Wachtler C, Bergqvist M, Holmgren K, Mannheimer S, Bastholm-Rahmner P, Schmidt-Mende K
Scand J Prim Health Care 2024 Mar;42(1):91-100
Mannheimer S, Bergqvist M, Bastholm-Rahmner P, Gustafsson LL, Vég A, Schmidt-Mende K
BJGP Open 2022 Jun;6(2):