André Fringer

André Fringer, PhD, is a Professor and holds multiple leadership roles at Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), including Co-Head of the Nursing Programme and Head of Research & Development at the Institute of Nursing. He is also affiliated with the University of Zurich's doctoral programme in Care & Rehabilitation Sciences. His academic career spans over two decades across institutions in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria.

Education:

• PhD in Nursing/Medical Sciences, University of Witten/Herdecke (2004)
• MSc Nursing (2010), BSc Nursing (2006), and Registered Nurse training (2000)
• Leadership training from Zurich University of Applied Sciences (2002)

Research Interests: Dr. Fringer focuses on palliative care, end-of-life decision-making (e.g., voluntary stopping of eating and drinking), qualitative research methodologies, and family-centered nursing. He emphasizes social isolation mitigation, healthcare workforce dynamics, and innovative educational strategies using digital tools.

Publications: His 15 most recent articles (2021–2025) reflect expertise in palliative care ethics, mixed-methods research, and nursing practice innovations. Key themes include caregiver support systems, digital health interventions, and workforce well-being in long-term care settings.

Awards: Recognized with the Teacher of the Year award (Paracelsus Medical University, 2017) for educational excellence.

Grants/Advising: Led/co-led projects on palliative care needs assessment, digital tools for social isolation, and interprofessional education. Supervised studies on family caregiver advocacy and transition challenges for childhood cancer survivors.

Labs/Teams: Active in the Care & Rehabilitation Sciences doctoral programme and collaborates with institutions like the University of Zurich, PMU Salzburg, and the University of Vienna.