PhD Mandy Scheermesser

Work at ZHAW

Position

• Senior Researcher, School of Health Sciences, Institute of Physiotherapy
• Research and teaching on digital transformation in healthcare, with a focus on the evaluation, implementation and responsible development of digital health technologies and their societal, ethical and organisational implications

Focus

• Digital transformation in healthcare
• Digital health technologies, with a focus on artificial intelligence, health apps, telehealth, virtual reality and robotics
• Development, evaluation and implementation of digital innovations in healthcare
• Technology assessment and the societal, ethical and organisational dimensions of digital transformation
• Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods research

Teaching

• MSc Physiotherapy
• MSc Interprofessional, Modul «Qualitative Research»
• BSc interprofessional education

Experience

• Senior Researcher and Lecturer
  School of Health Sciences, Institute of Physiotherapy
  04 / 2008 - today
• Research Associate
  Institute for Futures Studies and Technology Assessment, Berlin (IZT)
  01 / 2001 - 03 / 2008

Education and Continuing education

Education

• PhD / Technology Asssessment
  Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
  03 / 2020 - 12 / 2023
• M.A. / Social Sciences
  Humboldt University of Berlin
  10 / 1995 - 12 / 2000

Continuing Education

CAS Higher & Professional Education
Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning, ZHAW School of Management and Law
09 / 2023

Network

ORCID digital identifier

ORCID ID: 0000-0002-9765-7329

Social media

LinkedIn

Projects

• Reusing Openly Accessible research Data for Student theses / Team member / ongoing
• HoloTeach – a virtual therapy guidance system for personalized rehabilitation after stroke / Deputy project leader / ongoing
• Ethical dimensions of digital technology-assisted physiotherapy: fundamentals for ethics education of physiotherapists / Co-project leader / ongoing
• Autonomous Ageing at home in the digital age: A mixed method evaluation of assistive apps and wearables / Team member / completed
• Reusing Openly Accessible research Data for Student theses / Team member / completed
• Definition and validation of use cases for the application of the MyoSuit / Team member / completed
• Holoreach / Team member / completed
• Wearables & Apps for mental health / Deputy project leader / completed
• Digital Health for parents facing language and cultural access barriers to the Swiss health system / Co-project leader / completed
• The Social Integration of People with Chronic Diseases Through Quantified Self Technologies / Project leader / completed
• T-Chair II – Assistive therapy concept for trunk balance & stability after stroke / Team member / completed
• Valedo Neck Therapy / Team member / completed
• Quantified self – halfway between lifestyle and medicine / Team member / completed
• Research evidence to support the work of the professional association / Team member / completed
• Experience keep people Active / Team member / completed
• 2PCS – Personal Caring and Protection System / Team member / completed
• Robotics and autonomous devices in social and health care / Deputy project leader / completed
• Educational Activities for Health Professionals / Project leader / completed
• Direct Access to Physiotherapy in Switzerland / Team member / completed
• Cultural factors on the rehabilitation of back pain / Team member / completed

Selected publications

• Scheermesser, M., Baumgartner, D., Nast, I., Bansi, J., Kool, J., Bischof, P., & Bauer, C. (2024). Therapists and patients perceptions of a mixed reality system designed to improve trunk control and upper extremity function. Scientific Reports, 14(6598). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-55692-4
• Scheermesser, M. (2024). Der Beitrag nicht-menschlicher Entitäten zur Akzeptanz von Technologien am Beispiel des Bewegungsmessers "actibelt" : eine Rekonstruktion aus der Perspektive der Akteur-Netzwerk-Theorie [Doctoral dissertation, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)]. https://doi.org/10.5445/IR/1000172448
• Radu, I., Scheermesser, M., Spiess, M., Schulze, C., Händler-Schuster, D., & Pehlke-Milde, J. (2023, January 21). Digitale Gesundheitsinterventionen für Migrant:innen und kulturellen Minderheiten : ein Scoping Review. 7. Winterthurer Hebammensymposium, Winterthur, Schweiz, 21. Januar 2023.
• Meidert, U., & Scheermesser, M. (2017, June 24). Quantified self : Gesundheitsoptimierung durch Selbstvermessung. Schweizer Soziologiekongress, Zürich, 21.-23. Juni 2017.

Publications

Articles in scientific journal, peer-reviewed

• Reicherzer, L., Scheermesser, M., Kläy, A., Duarte, J., & Graf, E. (2024). Barriers and facilitators to the use of wearable robots as assistive devices : qualitative study with older adults and physiotherapists. JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies, 11(e52676). https://doi.org/10.2196/52676
• Scheermesser, M., Baumgartner, D., Nast, I., Bansi, J., Kool, J., Bischof, P., & Bauer, C. (2024). Therapists and patients perceptions of a mixed reality system designed to improve trunk control and upper extremity function. Scientific Reports, 14(6598). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-55692-4
• Nast, I., Scheermesser, M., Ernst, M., Sommer, B., Schmid, P. M., Weisenhorn, M., Bärtschi, E., Gomez, D., Iten, P., von Wartburg, A., Frey, W., Lünenburger, L., & Bauer, C. (2024). Usability of a visual feedback system to assess and improve movement disorders related to neck pain : perceptions of physical therapists and patients. Heliyon, 10(5), e26931. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26931
• Radu, I., Scheermesser, M., Spiess, M. R., Schulze, C., Händler-Schuster, D., & Pehlke-Milde, J. (2023). Digital health for migrants, ethnic and cultural minorities and the role of participatory development : a scoping review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(20), 6962. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20206962
• Cott, R., Holtz, S., & Scheermesser, M. (2023). Lost in transition : eine explorative qualitative Studie zur Transition von Jugendlichen aus der pädiatrischen Physiotherapie in die Erwachsenenphysiotherapie. Physioscience, 19(02), 54–62. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1741-9583
• Keller, F., Allet, L., Meichtry, A., Scascighini, L., Scheermesser, M., Wirz, M., & Nast, I. (2022). Diagnostic and decision-making abilities of Swiss physiotherapists in a simulated direct access setting. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 39(11), 2336–2351. https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2022.2077269
• Scheermesser, M. (2022). The pivotal function of non-human actors in the acceptability of the body technology, Actibelt® : a reconstruction based on actor-network-theory. Nanoethics, 2022(16), 81–93. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11569-022-00415-0
• Bauer, C. M., Nast, I., Scheermesser, M., Kuster, R. P., Textor, D., Wenger, M., Kool, J., & Baumgartner, D. (2021). A novel assistive therapy chair to improve trunk control during neurorehabilitation : perceptions of physical therapists and patients. Applied Ergonomics, 94(103390). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2021.103390
• Scheermesser, M., Reicherzer, L., Beyer, S., Gisi, D., Rezek, S., Hess, T., Wirz, M., & Rausch Osthoff, A.-K. (2021). The influence of pulmonary rehabilitation and counselling on perceptions of physical activity in individuals with COPD : a qualitative study. International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, 16, 2337–2350. https://doi.org/10.2147/COPD.S315130
• Kahrmann, N., Scheermesser, M., & Rausch, A.-K. (2019). The effect of motivational interviewing on physical activity in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease : systematic review. Physioscience, 15(02), 81–91. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-0886-6759
• Scheermesser, M., Meidert, U., Evers-Wölk, M., Prieur, Y., Hegyi, S., & Becker, H. K. (2018). Die digitale Selbstvermessung in Lifestyle und Medizin : eine Studie zur Technikfolgenabschätzung. Technikfolgenabschätzung - Theorie und Praxis, 27(3), 57–62. https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-4987
• Rausch Osthoff, A.-K., Greco, N., Schwank, A., Beyer, S., Gisi, D., Scheermesser, M., Meichtry, A., Sievi, N., Hess, T., & Wirz, M. (2017). Effect of counselling during pulmonary rehabilitation on self-determined motivation towards physical activity in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – protocol of a mixed methods study. BMC Pulmonary Medicine, 115. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-017-0457-8
• Scheermesser, M., Bachmann, S., Schämann, A., Oesch, P., & Kool, J. (2012). A qualitative study on the role of cultural background in patients' perspectives on rehabilitation. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 13(5). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-13-5

Books, peer-reviewed

• Scheermesser, M. (2024). Der Beitrag nicht-menschlicher Entitäten zur Akzeptanz von Technologien am Beispiel des Bewegungsmessers "actibelt" : eine Rekonstruktion aus der Perspektive der Akteur-Netzwerk-Theorie [Doctoral dissertation, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)]. https://doi.org/10.5445/IR/1000172448
• Meidert, U., Scheermesser, M., Prieur, Y., Hegyi, S., Stockinger, K., Eyyi, G., Evers-Wölk, M., Jacob, M., Oertel, B., & Becker, H. K. (2018). Quantified Self : Schnittstelle zwischen Lifestyle und Medizin. vdf Hochschulverlag. https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-1941
• Becker, H. K., Scheermesser, M., Früh, M., Treusch, Y., Auerbach, H., Hüppi, R. A., & Meier, F. (2013). Robotik in Betreuung und Gesundheitsversorgung (1. Auflage). vdf Hochschulverlag. https://doi.org/10.3218/3521-6

Book chapters, peer-reviewed

• Graf, E., Scheermesser, M., & Wirz, M. (2026). Innovation und Digitalisierung in der Physiotherapie. In P. Gränicher, C. Neuhaus, & G. Perrot (eds.), Physiotherapie in der Orthopädie und Traumatologie (pp. 138–148). Thieme.
• Scheermesser, M. (2025). Apps für das Patient*innenmanagement. In H. Luomajoki, C. Schwertfellner, M. Broecker, S. Careddu, & T. Benz (eds.), Hands-off in der Physiotherapie: Schmerzedukation, Kommunikation, Soft Skills und Behandlungsansätze (pp. 309–316). Thieme.
• Meidert, U., & Scheermesser, M. (2022). Verschiedene Gesundheitskonzepte im Rahmen der digitalen Selbstvermessung. In V. Cappel & K. E. Kappler (eds.), Gesundheit – Konventionen – Digitalisierung : eine politische Ökonomie der (digitalen) Transformationsprozesse von und um Gesundheit (pp. 335–359). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-34306-4_12
• Gemperle, M., Scheermesser, M., Dratva, J., Händler-Schuster, D., Juvalta, S., & Klamroth-Marganska, V. (2022). Digitale Heilsversprechen in Gesundheitsberufen. In V. Cappel & K. E. Kappler (eds.), Gesundheit – Konventionen – Digitalisierung : eine politische Ökonomie der (digitalen) Transformationsprozesse von und um Gesundheit (pp. 137–158). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-34306-4_5

Written conference contributions, peer-reviewed

• Burget, J. L., Scheermesser, M., Nast, I., & Meichtry, A. (2025). Validierung des deutschsprachigen MRPS-Fragebogens zur Patientenzufriedenheit in der Physiotherapie. Physioswiss Kongress, Basel, Schweiz, 24.-25. Oktober 2025.
• Reicherzer, L., Ballmer, T., Scheermesser, M., Quasdorf, T., Domeisen Benedetti, F., Gantschnig, B. E., & Bruderer-Hofstetter, M. (2025). Apps and wearables to support autonomous living : perspectives of Swiss older adults and stakeholders. World Physiotherapy Congress, Tokyo, Japan, 29-31 May 2025.
• Reicherzer, L., Scheermesser, M., Kläy, A., Duarte, J. E., & Graf, E. (2023, September). Barriers and facilitators to the use of wearable robots as assistive devices : views and experiences of older adults and physiotherapists. RehabWeek, Singapore, 24-28 September 2023. https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-28890
• Radu, I., Scheermesser, M., Spiess, M., Schulze, C., Händler-Schuster, D., & Pehlke-Milde, J. (2023, January 21). Digitale Gesundheitsinterventionen für Migrant:innen und kulturellen Minderheiten : ein Scoping Review. 7. Winterthurer Hebammensymposium, Winterthur, Schweiz, 21. Januar 2023.
• Kofler, N., Graf, E., Nast, I., Wirz, M., & Scheermesser, M. (2022, July). Robots as therapists : patients' experiences, motivation and expectations with robot-assisted training - a qualitative study. RehabWeek, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, 25-29 July 2022.
• Meidert, U., Scheermesser, M., & Becker, H. K. (2018). Quantified Self : Empowerment und Partizipation von Patientinnen und Patienten durch Selbstvermessung?. Swiss Congress for Health Professions, Zürich, 3.-4. September 2018.
• Scheermesser, M., & Meidert, U. (2018). Exploring quantified self attitudes and practices. SEG-SSE-SAA Annual Meeting «Knowledge (Trans) Formations in Anthropology», Zurich, 22-23 November 2018.
• Meidert, U., Becker, H. K., & Scheermesser, M. (2018). M-Health apps and self-quantification technologies on the rise : opportunities and risks for use in practice. World Congress of Occupational Therapy (WFOT), Cape Town, South Africa, 21-25 May 2018.
• Scheermesser, M., & Meidert, U. (2018, April 5). Eine Nutzungstypologie der Selbstvermesser/-innen. Dreiländerkongress Gesundheits- und Medizinsoziologie 2018, Graz, Österreich, 5.-6. April 2018.

Other publications

• Daudrich, A., Haas, M., Scheermesser, M., & van Rekum, S. (2026). Informed Consent Template für qualitative Daten. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21905210
• Scheermesser, M., & Wirz, M. (2026). GesundheitsApps auswählen : eine Checkliste für Fachpersonen. Clinicum, 3, 33–35. https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-37355
• Reicherzer, L., Scheermesser, M., Ballmer, T., Quasdorf, T., Domeisen Benedetti, F., Gantschnig, B. E., & Bruderer-Hofstetter, M. (2025, September 3). Ageing in place in the digital age : a mixed method evaluation of apps and wearables. 7th Digital Health Lab Day, Winterthur, Switzerland, 3 September 2025. https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-34069
• Scheermesser, M., Graf, E., & Wirz, M. (2022). Ramsch und Preziosen : auf dem Weg zur Beurteilung der Qualität von Apps und Wearables für die Physiotherapie. Physioactive, 2022(6), 23–27. https://doi.org/10.5169/seals-1047054
• Gemperle, M., Scheermesser, M., Dratva, J., Händler-Schuster, D., Juvalta, S., & Klamroth-Marganska, V. (2020, January 17). Digitale Medien auf dem Prüfstand : eine Befragung unter angehenden Gesundheitsfachpersonen. Dreiländertagung Public Health3: Gesundheitskommunikation im 21. Jahrhundert, Steckborn, 17.-18. Januar 2020.
• Nast, I., Mischker, A., Repschläger, U., Heine, M., Scheermesser, M., Wirz, M., & Schämann, A. (2018). Das Modellvorhaben Physiotherapie der BIG direkt gesund und des IFK e. V. : welche Heilmittel wählen Physiotherapeuten bei Unabhängigkeit von der ärztlichen Verordnung?. Physioscience, 14(2), 69–79. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-0602-0947
• Scheermesser, M., Becker, H. K., Früh, M., Treusch, Y., Hüppi, R. A., & Meier, F. (2014). Robotics and autonomous devices in health care : a technology assessment study of opportunity and risks [Conference paper]. In T. Michalek, L. Hebakova, L. Hennen, C. Scherz, L. Nierling, & J. Hahn (Eds.), Technology Assessment and Policy Areas of Great Transitions : Proceedings from the PACITA 2013 Conference in Prague (pp. 289–294). Technology Centre ASCR. http://www.pacitaproject.eu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Conference-Book.pdf
• Nast, I., Allet, L., Bürge, E., Scheermesser, M., Stegen, C. M., & Schämann, A. (2013). Direktzugang zur Physiotherapie : wie entscheiden Schweizer Physiotherapeuten beim Erstkontakt über das weitere Vorgehen?. Physioscience, 9(4), 153–160. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0033-1355985
• Scheermesser, M., Allet, L., Bürge, E., Stegen, C. M., Nast, I., & Schämann, A. (2011). Direktzugang zur Physiotherapie in der Schweiz : kulturelle Validierung eines Fragebogens und Untersuchung der Einstellung von Physiotherapeuten. Physioscience, 7(4), 143–149. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0031-1281837

Oral conference contributions and abstracts

• Meidert, U., & Scheermesser, M. (2021, June 28). Quantified self-technologies for better a disease management?. 2021 Congress of the Swiss Sociological Association : "Social Justice in Times of Uncertainty", Geneva, Switzerland (Online), 28-30 June 2021.
• Scheermesser, M. (2021, June 28). Acceptance work by non-humans at the development of new technologies : a reconstruction from the actor-network-theory. 2021 Congress of the Swiss Sociological Association : "Social Justice in Times of Uncertainty", Geneva, Switzerland (Online), 28-30 June 2021.
• Scheermesser, M. (2020, August 19). The constitutive work of non-humans at the development of a (self)-tracking technology : a reconstruction from the actor-network-theory. EASST/4S 2020 Conference, Prague, 18-21 August 2020.
• Dratva, J., Juvalta, S., Gemperle, M., Scheermesser, M., Händler-Schuster, D., & Klamroth-Marganska, V. (2019). Digital health literacy of health care profession students [Conference presentation]. European Journal of Public Health, 29(Supplement 4), 32–33. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckz185.069
• Nast, I., Scheermesser, M., Bruderer-Hofstetter, M., Heinzmann Stettler, C. T., Saner-Bissig, J., Wirz, M., & Schämann, A. (2019). Advanced practice in physiotherapy : an actual literature overview. WCPT Congress Proceedings.
• Nast, I., Scheermesser, M., Wirz, M., & Schämann, A. (2019). Who makes the treatment choice? : a randomized controlled trial of a German model of primary care with greater physiotherapists' autonomy. WCPT Congress Proceedings.
• Gemperle, M., Scheermesser, M., Dratva, J., Händler-Schuster, D., Juvalta, S., & Klamroth-Marganska, V. (2019). Future health professionals on the use of digital media in their professional work. Congress of the Swiss Sociological Association 2019, Neuchâtel, 10-12 September 2019.
• Gemperle, M., Scheermesser, M., Dratva, J., Händler-Schuster, D., Juvalta, S., & Klamroth-Marganska, V. (2019, May 21). Gesundheitsbezogene digitale Kompetenzen angehender Gesundheitsfachleute. Digitalisierung der Arbeit im Gesundheits- und Sozialsektor, Gelsenkirchen, Deutschland, 21.-22. Mai 2019.
• Meidert, U., Scheermesser, M., & Becker, H. K. (2018). Partizipation von Patientinnen und Patienten durch Selbstvermessung?. Swiss eHealth Summit «Patients Leading the Digital Transformation», Bern, 12. September 2018.
• Nast, I., Scheermesser, M., Bruderer-Hofstetter, M., Heinzmann Stettler, C. T., Horvath, C., Huber, M., Keller, M., Müller, U., Saner-Bissig, J., Tschupp, K., & Schämann, A. (2018). Enhancing professional perspectives : development of physiotherapy advanced practice models in Switzerland. 1st International Conference: «Countering Staff Shortage among Health Professions», Bern, 25-26 Oktober 2018.
• Scheermesser, M., & Meidert, U. (2017, September 16). Gesundheitsapps und Fitnesstracker – Was taugen sie in der Praxis?. Symposium Technologien in der Therapie «Vom Smartphone bis zur Robotik», Winterthur, 16. September 2017.
• Meidert, U., & Scheermesser, M. (2017, June 24). Quantified self : Gesundheitsoptimierung durch Selbstvermessung. Schweizer Soziologiekongress, Zürich, 21.-23. Juni 2017.
• Scheermesser, M. (2013). Robotics and autonomous devices in health care : a technology assessment study. PACITA 2013 Conference, Prague, Czech Republic, 13-15 March 2013.
• Nast, I., Allet, L., Scheermesser, M., Stegen, C. M., Bürge, E., & Schämann, A. (2012). Direkt zur Physiotherapie? : Vorgehen Schweizer Physiotherapeutinnen und -therapeuten im Fall des Direktzugangs. Swiss Congress for Health Professions, Winterthur, 31. Mai - 1. Juni 2012.

Publications before appointment at the ZHAW

• Orwat, Carsten; Rashid, Asarnusch; Wölk, Michaela; Scheermesser, Mandy; Kosow, Hannah; Holtmann, Carsten; Graefe, Andreas, 2010. Adopting pervasiv computing for routine use in healthcare. IEEE Pervasive Computing. 9(2), S. 64-71.
• Hahn, Tobias; Scheermesser, Mandy, 2006. Approaches to corporate sustainability among german companies. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 13(3), S. 150-165.
• Scheermesser, Mandy; Kosow, Hannah; Rashid, Asarnusch; Holtmann, Carsten, 2008. User acceptance of pervasive computing in healthcare : main findings of two case studies [Paper]. In: Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Pervasive Computing Technologies for Healthcare 2008 : PervasiveHealth. 2nd International Conference on Pervasive Computing Technologies for Healthcare 2008 : PervasiveHealth, Tampere, 30. Jan-1. Feb 2008, S. 205-213. New York: IEEE.

go back