The University Hospital

Dr. phil. Dr. PH Joachim Graf, M.A., M.Sc.

Dr. phil. Dr. PH Joachim Graf, M.A., M.Sc.

Academic staff member/teaching and research coordinator

Contact

Phone number: +49 7071 29-87426

E-mail address: joachim.graf@med.uni-tuebingen.de

Clinic / Institute / Center

  • Patient-Reported Outcomes
  • Women's health research - Health services research - Gender medicine - Social medicine
  • Prevention and health promotion
  • Public Health - Global Health - Planetary Health
  • Evidence and clinical decision making
  • Methodology (quantitative and qualitative)/ philosophy of science
  • Secondary data research
  • Teaching research/ student competence development/ OSCE
  • History of midwifery and midwifery science
  • Social determinants of health and health behavior
  • Presentation award for the scientific paper "Tablet-based survey of health-related quality of life in adjuvant and metastatic breast cancer: Acceptance and reliability", DGGG Congress 2018
  • Poster prize for the contribution "Clinical characteristics and care gaps in rare diseases: anamnestic features in MRKHS patients", DGGG Congress 2016
  • Current publications (selection):
  • Hildenbrand S, Graf J, Michaelis M, Wagner A, Völter-Mahlknecht S, Simoes E, Rieger MA. Evaluation of social medical skills' relevance in the study course from the medical students' perspective: A retrospective trend study. Education Sciences 2025; 15(10), 1408; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15101408
  • Graf J, Abele H. Maternal stress and fetal programming. Effects of psychosocial stress. MidwiferyKnowledge 2025; 6(5): 14-16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43877-025-1359-2
  • Schulz AA, Plappert CF, Kranz A, Graf J, Abele H, Berger J, Wirtz MA. Competence orientation in bachelor's degree programs in midwifery science - current status analysis of the theoretical and conceptual foundations in Germany. Journal of Midwifery Science 2025. DOI: 10.1007/s44476-025-00001-9
  • Kriegs H, Graf J, Abele H, Plappert CF. Comparative Analysis of Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes in Cases of Vaginal Breech Births versus Cases of Vaginal Cephalic Births: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2025. DOI: 10.1007/s00404-025-08126-z.
  • Graf J, Herold J, Abele H. Breastfeeding: Hurdles and barriers. Improving breastfeeding rates in obesity and preterm birth. HebammenWissen 2025; 6(4): 48-51. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43877-025-1331-1
  • Graf J, Weinert K, Abele H, Kranz A. How self-determined are reproductive decisions? Sociological aspects of pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding: Implications for midwifery practice - a narrative review. Healthcare 2025;13(13):1540. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13131540
  • Graf J, Abele H. Cannabis legalization harbours risks. Hashish use by pregnant women. HebammenWissen 2025; 6(3): 52-55. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43877-025-1309-z
  • Plappert CF, Zipfel S, Abele H, Graf J. Academization of the midwifery profession: expanded fields of work and new roles. Z Obstetrics Neonatol. 2025 DOI: 10.1055/a-2566-0977
  • Graf J. Social context of disease development in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM): Retrospective longitudinal analysis of quality data from a university-based level 1 perinatal center in comparison to results from nationwide cross-institutional quality assurance according to the guideline of the Federal Joint Committee. Dissertation. Düsseldorf 2025.
  • Graf J, Abele H. Vaccinations: Evidence-based and competent advice. Prevention in the context of women's health and reproduction. Midwifery knowledge 2025; 6(1): 44-47.
  • Pauluschke-Fröhlich J, Berger R, Abele H, Plappert CF, Graf J. Likelihood of Preterm Birth in Patients After Antenatal Corticosteroid Administration in Relation to Diagnosis and Confounding Risk Factors: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Healthcare. 2025; 13(1):87. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13010087
  • Bauer SH, Abele H, Graf J. Challenges and choices in breastfeeding healthy born, sick born and preterm babies: Review. MDPI Healthcare 2024, 12(23), 2418; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12232418
  • Graf J, Abele H, Moldt JA. Pregnancy and childbirth in the social corset. Between society, culture and milieu. Midwifery Knowledge 2024;5(4): 48-51. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43877-024-1190-1
  • Riefert MJ, Abele H, Graf J. Practice guidance: Academizing qualifications. HebammenWissen 2024;5(1):24-27.
  • Graf J, Abele H, Pauluschke-Fröhlich J. Gestational age at birth in pregnancies with antenatal corticosteroid administration in relation to risk factors: a retrospective cohort study. Front. Med. 2024; 10:1285306. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1285306
  • Graf J, Simoes E, Kranz A, Weinert K, Abele H. The importance of gender-sensitive health care in the context of pain, emergency and vaccination: a narrative review. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21, 13. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21010013
  • Graf J, Abele H. Men and women experience pain differently. More attention to gender-specific pain perception. ProCARE 2023; 28(10): 6-8. Doi: 10.1007/s00735-023-1773-2 (Second publication).
  • Gebhard J, Graf J, Abele H, Pauluschke-Fröhlich J. Involvement and management of emergency paramedics in unplanned out-of-hospital births: an online survey. Healthcare 2023. DOI: 10.1055/a-2183-5837
  • Kranz A, Schulz AA, Wirtz MA, Plappert CF, Abele H, Graf J. Assessment of the assessed relevance of midwifery competencies in academic education in Germany from the midwives' perspective - A structural analysis of cross-sectional survey data. European Journal of Midwifery 2023; 7:22. https://doi.org/10.18332/ejm/169658
  • Pauluschke-Fröhlich J, Graf J, Abele H, Kagan KO, Walter MH. Timing of antenatal corticosteroid administration in pregnancies with increased risk for premature birth: A retrospective cohort study. Int J Gynecol Obstet 2023;00: 1-8. doi: 10.1002/ijgo15052.
  • Graf J, Graf P, Abele H. Making vaccination care gender-sensitive. Implications of gender medicine (Part 3). Pflegez 2023; 76(8): 33-35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41906-023-2131-5
  • Graf J, Walter K. Abele H. The breastfeeding woman in the public eye: a political issue. HebammenWissen 2023;4(4): 46-49. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43877-023-0796-z
  • Graf J, Graf P, Abele H. More equal in an emergency? Implications of gender medicine (Part 2). Pflegez 2023; 76(6): 37-38. doi: 10.1007/s41906-023-2088-4
  • Hill J, Abele H, Graf J, Plappert CF. Developing competencies. Training concept for outpatient practice. MidwiferyKnowledge 2023; 4(3): 30-35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43877-023-0773-6
  • Binder C/ Schmid P, Abele H, Graf J. Does Antenatal MgSO4 Administration to the Mother in the Event of Imminent Premature Birth Reduce the Occurrence of Infantile Cerebral Palsy in the Child? - An Umbrella Review. Obstetrics Obstetrics 2023; 83(5): 602-611. doi: 10.1055/a-2049-2976
  • Graf J, Abele H, Jakubowski P. Teenage pregnancy - aspects of interdisciplinary care. Gynecology + Obstetrics 2023; 28(2): 22-25. https://doi.org/10.1007/s15013-023-5141-x
  • Herold J, Abele H, Graf J. Effects of timing of umbilical cord clamping for mother and newborn: A narrative review. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2023. doi: 10.1007/s00404-023-06990-1
  • Graf J, Abele H. Men and women hurt differently. Implications of gender medicine (Part 1). Pflegez 2023; 76(4): 40-41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41906-023-2031-8
  • Graf J, Abele H. Climate, crisis, conception: The holistic view. Planetary health in midwifery care. Midwifery Knowledge 2023; 4(2): 46-49.
  • Graf J, Wetzel N, Abele H, Plappert CF. Bonding: Promoting parent-child bonding in preterm infants: NIDCAP as an interdisciplinary challenge. Midwifery 2023;36(1): 56-62.
  • Graf J. Health promotion and women's health: definitions and approaches. In: Brucker SY, Doubek K, Scharl A, Simoes E, Wallwiener D (eds.). Women's health - women's medicine. Interdisciplinary and compact. Munich 2023: Elsevier Verlag, pp. 209-210.
  • Graf J. Vaccinations. In: Brucker SY, Doubek K, Scharl A, Simoes E, Wallwiener D (eds.). Women's health - women's medicine. Interdisciplinary and compact. Munich 2023: Elsevier Verlag, pp. 207-208.
  • Graf J. Prevention: Definitions and approaches. In: Brucker SY, Doubek K, Scharl A, Simoes E, Wallwiener D (eds.). Women's health - women's medicine. Interdisciplinary and compact. Munich 2023: Elsevier Verlag, pp. 175-178.
  • Plappert CF, Graf J, Weinert K, Hill J, Braun L, Siedler-Pieth S, Wiesegart A, Abele H. The simulated birth in the final examination. Challenges and implications of the new examination format. HebammenWissen 2023; 4(1): 26-29. doi: 10.1007/s43877-022-0735-4
  • Graf J, Abele H, Boeer B. Breast cancer in pregnancy. Interdisciplinary care of complex courses. Midwifery Knowledge 2022; 3(4): 50-53.
  • Kranz A, Feierabend N, Sliwka D, Weinert K, Wiesegart A, Abele H, Graf J. Assessment of the Association of Periodontal Diseases in Pregnant Women and the Efficacy of Periodontal Treatment in the Context of Premature Births and Pregnancy Complications - a Narrative Review. Obstetrics and Gynecology 2022;82(8):831-841. doi: 10.1055/a-1868-4693
  • Hill J, Plappert CF, Abele H, Graf J. Completely individual: The safe place of birth. Counseling between quality assurance and uncertain pregnant women. HebammenWissen 2022;3(3): 53-55. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43877-022-0198-7
  • Graf J, Sickenberger N, Brusniak K, Matthies LM, Deutsch TM, Simoes E, Plappert C, Keilmann L, Hartkopf A, Walter CB, Hahn M, Engler T, Wallwiener S, Schuetz F, Fasching PA, Schneeweiss A, Brucker SY, Wallwiener M. Implementation of an Electronic Patient-Reported Outcome App for Health-Related Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients: Evaluation and Acceptability Analysis in a Two-Center Prospective Trial. J Med Internet Res 2022;24(2):e16128. doi: 10.2196/16128.
  • Brusniak K, Feisst M, Sebesteny L, Hartkopf A, Graf J, Engler T, Schneeweiss A, Wallwiener M, Deutsch TM. Measuring the Time to Deterioration for Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer Using a Web-Based Monitoring Application: Longitudinal Cohort Study. JMIR Cancer 2021;7(4):e25776. doi: 10.2196/25776.
  • Graf J, Weinert K, Plappert CF, Abele H. Evidence-based midwifery: Implications for teaching, practice and science. Midwifery Knowledge 2021; 2(3): 50-53.
  • Plappert CF, Kaiser G, Graf J, Abele H. Oxytocin as reflected in midwifery practice. Part 2: How stress influences neurophysiological processes during labor and in the postpartum period. Midwifery Knowledge 2021; 2(2): 51-54.
  • Plappert CF, Kaiser G, Graf J, Abele H. Oxytocin in the mirror of midwifery activity. Neurobiological basis of the peripheral effect during childbirth. Midwifery Knowledge 2021; 2(1): 51-54.
  • Graf J, Abele H, Kagan KO, Jakubowski P. Education about the risks of vaginal birth in relation to later incontinence. Obstetrics Gynecology 2021; 81(01): 36-39. DOI: 10.1055/a-1109-2237.
  • Count J. Insolvent nobility? Gant trials against members of the mediatized nobility in the Kingdom of Württemberg at the 'time of upheaval' in the context of the legal requirements of the changing state. Dissertation, Tübingen: TOBI-AS-lib 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/10900/113622. http://dx.doi.org/10.15496/publikation-54998.
  • Graf J, Abele H, Simoes E, Schönhardt S, Plappert CF. Midwives and physicians together in the lecture hall. Midwifery Knowledge 2020;1(1):25-27.
  • Graf J, Simoes E, Blaschke S, Plappert CF, Hill J, Riefert M, Abele H. Academization of the Midwifery Profession and the Implementation of Higher Education in the Context of the New Requirements for Licensure. Obstetrics Gynecology 2020; 80(10):1008-1015.
  • Brucker SY* and Pösch LS*, Graf J, Sokolov AN, Schaeffeler N, Kronenthaler A, Hiltner H, Wagner A, Ueding E, Rieger MA, Schöller D, Stefanescu D, Rall KK, Wallwiener D, Simoes E. Rare genital malformations in women's health research: sociodemographic, regional, and disease related characteristics of patients with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome. BMC Women's Health 2020; 20:135. DOI: 10.1186/s12905-020-00969-9.
  • Graf J, Plappert CF, Simoes E, Abele H. Academization of the midwifery profession (Part 2): Risks - and how best to avoid them in degree programs. Z Geburtsh Neonatol 2020; 224(03): 130-135.
  • Graf J, Zipfel S, Schönhardt S, Wallwiener D, Abele H. The academization of midwifery: State-wide implementation of the new law governing the education of midwives (Hebammenreformgesetz) is leading to hetero-geneous education. GMS J Med Educ. 2020;37(4):Doc37. DOI: 10.3205/zma001330.
  • Schönhardt S, Plappert CF, Graf J, Abele H. Reorganization of midwifery training. Gynecology up2date 2020; 14 (3): 211-223.
  • Graf J, Loda T, Zipfel S, Wosnik A, Mohr D, Hermann-Werner A. Communication skills of medical students: Survey of self- and external perception in a longitudinal-based trend study. BMC Medical Education 2020; 20: 149. DOI: 10.1186/s12909-020-02049-w.
  • Graf J, Moreno B, Wallwiener M, Brucker SY, Simoes E. Practicability and performance of e-health applications in the collection of patient-reported outcomes: Research status and needs. Tumor Diagnostics&Therapy 2020; 41(01):45-54 (second publication).
  • Plappert C, Graf J, Schönhardt S, Abele H. Where is the path leading? The academization of the midwifery profession in the context of the reform of the Midwifery Training Act. The gynecologist 2019;60(9):691-694.
  • Abele H, Graf J, Simoes E, Schönhardt S, Wallwiener D, Plappert C. Committed to interprofessionalism: primary qualifying bachelor's degree program in midwifery at the Medical Faculty of Tübingen - a model. The Gynecologist 2019. 52(10), 762-767. DOI: 10.1007/s00129-019-04495-0.
  • Plappert C, Graf J, Simoes E, Schönhardt S, Wallwiener D, Abele H. The academization of the midwifery profession in the context of the amendment of the Midwifery Act: current developments and challenges. Obstetrics Gynecology 2019;79:854-862.
  • Matthies L* and Taran FA*, Keilmann L, Simoes E, Hartkopf AD, Sokolov AN, Walter CB, Sickenberger N, Wallwiener S, Feisst M, Gass P, Fasching PA, Lux MP, Schütz F, Sohn C, Schneeweiss A, Brucker SY, Graf J* and Wallwiener M*. An Electronic Patient-Reported Outcome Tool for the FACT-B (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast) Questionnaire for Measuring the Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Breast Cancer: Reliability Study. J Med Internet Res 2019; 21 (1):e10004.
  • Graf J, Brucker SY, Simoes E. Care-related aspects of social security systems in Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg. In: Münnich R, Kopp J (eds.): Care at the border. Wiesbaden: Springer VS Verlag 2019, pp. 19-35.
  • Simoes E, Münnich R, Krause J, Graf J, Brucker SY. Implications of home care obligations in a comparison of two border regions. Does foresight go far enough? In: Münnich R, Kopp J (eds.): Care at the border. Wiesbaden: Springer VS Verlag 2019, pp. 243-282.
  • Simoes E*and Graf J*, Sokolov AN, Grieschke EM, Hartkopf AD, Hahn M, Weiss M, Abele H, Seeger H, Brucker SY. Pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC): Course of pregnancy, neonatal outcome and maternal breast cancer survival over 5 years. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2018; 298 (2): 363-372. DOI: 10.1007/s00404-018-4822-5.
  • Graf J, Smolka R, Holderried F, Wosnik A, Lammerding-Köppel M, Mohr D, Vlad E, Nikendei C, Zipfel S, Herrmann-Werner A. Ten years of Objective Structured Clinical Examination at the Medical Faculty of Tübingen, Germany: Item analysis and students' satisfaction. J Health Sci Educ 2018; 2(2): 133.
  • Graf J, Moreno B, Wallwiener M, Menzel K, Brucker SY, Simoes E. Practicability and performance of e-health applications in the collection of patient-reported outcomes: Research status and needs. Healthcare 2018; 80: 953-962. DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-100037.
  • Graf J. Quality of care in outpatient and inpatient nursing care for the elderly: survey in the Lörrach-Basel border region. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag (Best of Pflege) 2018.
  • Wallwiener M , Matthies L, Simoes E, Hartkopf AD, Sokolov AN, Walter CB, Keilmann L, Sickenberger N, Feisst M, Fasching PA, Wallwiener D, Taran FA, Schneeweiss A, Graf J* and Brucker SY*. Reliability of an ePRO tool of EORTC QLQ-C30 for measurement of Health-Related Quality of Life in patients with breast can-cer: A prospective randomized trial. J Med Internet Res 2017; 19 (9): e322.
  • Hartkopf AD*and Graf J*, Simoes E, Keilmann L, Sickenberger N, Gass P, Wallwiener D, Matthies L, Taran FA, Wallwiener S, Fasching PA, Belleville E, Sohn C, Schneeweiss A, Brucker SY and Wallwiener M. Electronic-based Patient Reported Outcomes: Willingness, Needs and Barriers in andjuvant and metastatic breast cancer patients. JMIR Cancer 2017;3(2):e11. DOI: 10.2196/cancer.6996
  • Graf J, Smolka R, Simoes E, Zipfel S, Junne F, Holderried F, Wosnik A, Doherty A, Menzel K, Herrmann-Werner A. Communication skills of medical students during the OSCE: gender-specific differences in a longitudinal trend-study. BMC Medical Education 2017; 17: 75. DOI: 10.1186/s12909-017-0913-4.
  • Simoes E, Gostomzyk J, Brucker SY, Graf J. Psychosocial Stress, Course of Pregnancy and Pregnancy Outcomes in the Context of the Provision of Sexual Services. Obstetrics Gynecology 2017; 77 (4): 366-376.
  • Wallwiener M, Simoes E, Sokolov AN, Brucker SY, Fasching P, Graf J. Health-related quality of life in breast cancer patients in the metastatic or adjuvant situation. Senology 2017; 14: 36-45.
  • Moßhammer D, Graf J, Joos S, Hertkorn R. Physical examination in undergraduate medical education - a scoping review. BMC Medical Education 2017; 17: 230. DOI: 10.1186/s12909-017-1074-1.
  • Simoes E, Münnich R, Ueding E, Kühn A, Graf J, Krause J, Sokolov A, Mohr S, Brucker SY. Care and the need for care as a task for society as a whole. Papers on cross-border cooperation. Volume 12. Zurich, St. Gallen: Dike Verlag and Baden-Baden: Nomos 2016.
  • Wallwiener M, Simoes E, Sokolov AN, Brucker SY, Fasching P, Graf J. Health-related quality of life in metastatic and adjuvant breast cancer patients. Obstetrics Gynecology 2016; 76 (10): 1065-1073.
  • Graf J, Simoes E, Wißlicen K, Rava L, Walter CB, Hartkopf A, Keilmann L, Taran FA, Wallwiener S, Fasching P, Brucker SY, Wallwiener M. Willingness of Patients with Breast Cancer in the Adjuvant and Metastatic Setting to Use Electronic Surveys (ePRO) Depends on Sociodemographic Factors, Health-related Quality of Life, Disease Status and Computer Skills. Obstetrics Gynecology 2016; 76 (5): 535-541.
  • Simoes E, Sokolov A, Graf J, Pavlova MA, Brucker SY, Wallwiener D, Schmahl FW, Bamberg M. Clinical social medicine - Why? From epidemiological association to personalized social medicine using the example of breast cancer care. Healthcare 2016; 78 (2): 97-102.
  • Simoes E, Graf J, Hildenbrand S, Rieger MA. Strengthening assessment competence: The interdisciplinary master's program in insurance medicine with Tübingen participation. Arbeitsmed Sozialmed Umweltmed 2016; 51 (2): 98-101.
  • Simoes E, Graf J, Wallwiener D, Brucker S. Conflicting Priorities in Social Legislation and Medicine: Gynaeco-oncology Patients and their Right to Participate in Society. Obstetrics Gynecology 2015; 75 (10): 1069-1074.
  • Graf J, Preiser C, Rieger MA. 50 years of university occupational medicine in Tübingen, ASU special publication 2015.
  • Graf J, Emrich C, Rieger MA. Implementation and evaluation of the block week "Methods of Health Services Research" at the Medical Faculty of Tübingen - anchoring a new discipline in medical studies. Monitor Health Services Research 2015; 8 (5): 47-52.
  • Publications
  • Participation in lectures and seminars of the following modules in the B.Sc. Midwifery Science and the M.Sc. Midwifery Science and Women's Health:
  • 1.1 - Introduction to Midwifery Science [Module responsibility]
  • 1.4 - Health/midwifery scientific thinking and methodological competence I [co-module responsibility].
  • 2.3 - Health and health care system in the context of midwifery and midwifery science [module responsibility].
  • 3.2 - Prevention and health promotion [Module responsibility]
  • 4.1 - Psychosocial aspects, bonding and women's health [Module responsibility]
  • 5.1 - Obstetrical competence, gynecology and women's health, II
  • 5.2 - Evidence and clinical decision making [Module responsibility]
  • 5.3 - Health/midwifery scientific thinking and methodological competence III [module responsibility].
  • 6.1 - Interprofessional action, communication and ethical evaluation in the German healthcare system
  • 6.2 - Applied Midwifery Science [Module responsibility]
  • 7.1 - Interventions in standardized and complex situations
  • 7.2 - Bachelor thesis with colloquium
  • M1 - Management & Leadership: Introduction and Basic Principles [Module responsibility]
  • M2 - Management & Leadership: Personal development
  • M3 - Management & Leadership:Control of operational processes [Module responsibility]
  • FG1 - Women's health: Women's health in the context of midwifery [Module responsibility]
  • FG2 - Women's Health: Women's Health in National and International Dialogue [Module responsibility]
  • F1 - Advanced research skills: scientific theories and methods
  • F2 - Advanced research skills: Scientific work