What does it truly mean to live with a chronic illness? Beyond medical symptoms, patients face daily challenges that impact their routines, emotions, and interactions with the healthcare system. To foster a deeper understanding of these realities, Fresenius Kabi is participating in an immersive patient experience program, allowing colleagues to step into the world of those they serve.

(Published: July 2025)
Employees partake in a simulation that replicates certain situations in the life of a patient. Using a dedicated app, they receive instructions and updates, engage in role-play calls with actors portraying caregivers and healthcare professionals, and interact with physical materials received in advance to go through practical aspects of managing symptoms. For 24 hours, they are not just employees working in healthcare. They become patients. This hands-on experience provides valuable insights – not only into the physical symptoms of a disease but also into the emotional and logistical burdens that come with managing a chronic condition.

 

Transforming empathy into action 

To bring this immersive experience to life, Fresenius Kabi is partnering with A Life in a Day, an award-winning program designed to offer a realistic glimpse into the daily challenges of living with a chronic illness. Developed in close collaboration with patients, patient support organizations, and healthcare professionals, the program ensures accuracy and authenticity.

For our people, it has already made a lasting impression. In the most recent wave of the program, colleagues took part in the Crohn’s disease simulation, a condition that causes chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Crohn’s can lead to severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, and weight loss, but its impact extends beyond physical symptoms. Patients must navigate complex treatment regimens, frequent medical appointments, and the unpredictability of flare-ups which can lead to distressing situations and difficult choices about daily activities – all while balancing everyday life. Through this experience, participants gained a first-hand perspective on these challenges, strengthening their understanding of patient needs and the full burden of their disease.

 

Improving healthcare by understanding the patient perspective 

This initiative aligns closely with the Fresenius principles, particularly our commitment to patient-centric care. It reminds us that healthcare is, at its core, human to human.

By fostering deeper empathy and insight, it empowers colleagues to serve patients beyond expectations and develop solutions that truly address their daily struggles. Whether in direct patient care or the development of innovative therapies, understanding the patient perspective is essential to improving healthcare. Committed to Life, the Fresenius promise, reflects this belief.

 

Nutrition is a topic that surrounds us every day. While we often talk about obesity and weight loss diets, we actually overlook that the opposite, meaning malnutrition or undernutrition, can be as detrimental. We speak of malnutrition when the body is not provided with enough nutrients, such as protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals, which are essential for maintaining all vital body functions.

When our nutritional status is not optimal, the body becomes less resilient in facing challenges like illness, colds, or infections. Improving our nutritional status will therefore support and protect our body.

50 Years of Fresubin 

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Fresubin®, Fresenius Kabi’s trusted enteral nutrition brand. Since 1975, Fresubin® has supported over 300 million people in more than 75 countries, helping patients with their dietary management and therefore connection to life when everyday nourishment becomes a challenge. 

From chronic disease and critical illness to aging, cancer care, and rehabilitation, Fresubin® has played a vital role in restoring nutritional support. Because when eating becomes difficult or impossible, nutrition is no longer just fuel. It becomes a foundation of patients’ life. 

• Find out more about medical nutrition.
• Find out more about Fresubin on fresubin.com or read our the full "50 years of Fresubin" story on fresenius-kabi.com