معرفی
Prof. Dr. Petra Benzinger serves as Professor of Geriatrics at Kempten University of Applied Sciences within the Faculty of Social Sciences and Health since 2018. She concurrently holds positions as Academic Advisor for Gerontological Nursing and Therapy (Bachelor), Institute Management of the Institute for Health and Generations, and Decentralized Representative for Equal Opportunities for Women in Science. Additionally, she maintains a Research Associate role at Heidelberg University's Geriatric Center since 2018.
Her educational foundation includes:
- Human Medicine studies at Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg (1993-2000)
- Study visit at Queen's University Belfast (1997/98)
- State Examination in Human Medicine (2000)
- Specialist title in Internal Medicine (2009)
- Additional designation in Geriatrics (2012)
- Vena legendi award from Heidelberg University (2024)
Prof. Benzinger's research centers on geriatric syndromes with emphasis on physical activity and mobility in older adults, fall prevention, and fracture-related injuries. Her clinical expertise spans geriatric rehabilitation, frailty assessment, and sarcopenia management, addressing critical gaps in elderly care through translational research. She actively investigates psychosocial impacts of pandemics on nursing homes and develops practical interventions for rehabilitation facilities across Europe.
Recent publications (2020-2024) reveal consistent focus on validating assessment tools (frailty, nutritional appetite), designing rehabilitation protocols (GeRas trial), and exploring pharmacological implications in frail elderly. Her work bridges epidemiological studies, clinical trials, and systematic reviews, with increasing emphasis on interdisciplinary European collaborations addressing delirium prevention and nutritional care standards.
Key recognitions include:
- Vena legendi by Heidelberg University (2024)
- German National Academic Foundation Scholarship (1994-2000)
- Robert Bosch Foundation Research College Geriatrics Scholarship (2008-2011)
She supervises students in gerontological nursing programs while leading major research initiatives including the GeRas trial (multimodal home-based rehabilitation) and TRADE project (delirium prevention). Her grant portfolio features collaborations with Heidelberg University, Robert Bosch Hospital, and European networks focused on fracture epidemiology and rehabilitation outcomes. Current funding supports studies on anticoagulant pharmacokinetics in frail patients and pandemic impacts on long-term care facilities.
Prof. Benzinger operates within Kempten's Institute for Health and Generations (IGG), collaborating with Heidelberg University's Geriatric Center and Agaplesion Bethanien Hospital. Her interdisciplinary teams integrate physicians, nurses, and social scientists across Germany and Europe, with recent expansion into telehealth assessment tools and caregiver-focused intervention models.
