Weller Research Award for IRU, affiliated institute of MHB

Baden-Baden, 1 December 2025

Trade associations of the sector South-West held their meeting on accident medicine in Baden-Baden. On this occasion they honored the Institute for Rehabilitation and Accident Medicine (Institut für Rehabilitations- und Unfallmedizin (IRU), affiliated to the Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane (MHB), with the Weller Research Award. The prize, received by medical director Dr. Jörg Schmidt, acknowledges the IRU research on the everyday suitability of DGOU aftercare recommendations. At the same time it underlines the relevance of outcomes research in modern accident medicine.

Award-winning research close to practice

The study confirms that recommendations of the German Society of Orthopedics and Traumatology DGOU, aimed at rational and target-oriented aftercare, reflect patients’ actual healing progress to a high degree. Based on the ICUC Score (“I see, you see”) the IRU documented that treatment progressions correspond to recommendations and thus reflect a positive treatment course and outcome. Dr. Jörg Schmidt, who is delighted with the distinction, says the aftercare recommendations help to identify deviations due to disturbances in the healing process.

Strong alliance: IRU and MHB

As a partner of the MHB Center of Outcomes Research, the IRU significantly contributes to the scientific exploration of ways to treat and rehabilitate severely and gravely injured individuals. This type of research plays an essential role in advancing our healthcare system. Moreover, the IRU offers a CAS (Certificate of Advanced Studies) program in Medical Rehabilitation Management in support of academic qualifications for medical professionals.  

Background information on the research award and the FSA

The FSA (Research Association for Applied System Safety and Occupational Medicine) introduced the Weller Research Award to promote the Weller system. Starting in 1990, the FSA has been conducting practice-oriented research into occupational safety and health and developing interdisciplinary solutions for immediate application on site, as a major contribution to the scientific foundation and continuation of standards in accident medicine.

The Weller system is the nation-wide established standard for therapy management in legal accident insurance. Based on data analyses and expert knowhow, it provides treatment plans and forecasts on ability to perform work. The prize won by the IRU therefore underlines the importance of research for characterizing and advancing the treatment standards in accident medicine. The system was named after Siegfried Weller (1928 – 2019), a renowned German trauma surgeon.