He has held positions as research associate for the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health (IQWiG) care in Cologne, Germany; and as research associate for the Department of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics at the University of Wuppertal in Germany. Dr. Simon is a Scholar at the European Academy of Nursing Science and an Associate Editor of the International Journal of Nursing Studies. Dr. Simon's research is focused on the organization of nursing care and its implications for patients and nurses. At NDNQI he investigates the reliability and validity of nursing quality indicators. The author(s) of this continuing nursing education activity have disclosed no relevant financial relationships with any commercial companies pertaining to this activity.