Laura Inhestern

Prof. Dr. Laura Inhestern holds the W1 Endowed Professorship for 'Kindness for Kids' at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), within the Center for Psychosocial Medicine and Department of Medical Psychology. Her work focuses on psychosocial aspects of healthcare for children and families facing severe illnesses, including cancer and rare diseases. Key research interests include family-centered care, healthcare professional well-being, and support systems for parents/caregivers of chronically ill children. She has led over 60 studies since 2012, with recent work emphasizing rare disease coordination, pediatric oncology survivorship, and interprofessional collaboration.

Education & Professional Background

While formal education details aren't explicitly stated, her titles (Prof. Dr., M.Sc. Psych.) indicate advanced training in psychology and medical fields. She has held her endowed professorship since at least 2020, based on publication timelines.

Research Highlights

Dr. Inhestern's research clusters around three main areas: 1) Psychosocial challenges faced by families of pediatric cancer patients, including long-term follow-up care needs; 2) Support systems for parents/caregivers of children with rare diseases (e.g., spinal muscular atrophy, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome); and 3) Healthcare professional burnout and uncertainty management in rare disease contexts. She employs mixed-methods approaches, combining qualitative interviews with quantitative surveys and systematic reviews.

Grants & Collaborations

• Lead investigator on projects funded by German Cancer Society and German Research Foundation (DFG)
• Collaborates with European Liquid Biopsy Society (ELBS) on rare disease coordination
• Partnerships with Hamburg School of Oncology

Notable Programs

Developed family-oriented rehabilitation programs for pediatric cancer survivors, including school/work reintegration initiatives. Created training modules for healthcare professionals caring for parents with cancer, validated through randomized controlled trials.