{"title":"Psychosocial interventions for healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: rapid review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Manuela Hoedl, Selvedina Osmancevic, Nina Thonhofer, Lea Reiter, Daniela Schoberer","doi":"10.1007/s10354-023-01013-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10354-023-01013-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This rapid review was conducted by following a predefined protocol developed by the Cochrane Rapid Reviews Methods Group. A total of 172 potential reviews and 167 primary studies of interest were found. AMSTAR II was used to assess the quality of the included reviews and the JBI Checklist for Randomized Controlled Trials for primary studies. Overall, four studies were included in this review. The study quality ranged from 5 to 12 out of 13 possible stars. No robust evidence was found that psychosocial interventions can reduce psychological distress. No significant effect could be found regarding post-traumatic stress. Two studies on anxiety were identified, one which showed an effect and another which did not. The psychosocial intervention had no beneficial effect on burnout and depression, whereas providing a mindfulness- or relaxation-based intervention resulted in a significant improvement in sleep quality. By considering the secondary results and results of previous reviews, a combination of training and mindfulness seems to be beneficial for decreasing anxiety and stress in home care workers. In summary, the evidence-based recommendations are still limited and, therefore, more evidence is needed to make a general statement of high certainty about the effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":23882,"journal":{"name":"Wiener medizinische Wochenschrift","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10185947/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9490692","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Attitudes, attributions, and usage patterns of primary care patients with regard to over-the-counter drugs-a survey in Germany.","authors":"Julian Wangler, Michael Jansky","doi":"10.1007/s10354-022-00967-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10354-022-00967-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Studies show that over-the-counter drugs are widely used by consumers. Moreover, there is a huge selection available and they are prominently featured in advertising. To date, there exist only a few studies that shed light on the attitudes, attributions, and usage patterns of patients with regard to use of over-the-counter drugs. An anonymized explorative waiting room survey was conducted among 900 patients in 60 GP practices in the German states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hesse, and Rhineland-Palatinate. As well as the descriptive analysis, a t test was applied to independent random samples, in order to identify significant differences between two groups. 65% of respondents reported using over-the-counter drugs frequently or occasionally. With regard to effects, risks, and side effects, 54% state that they usually take advice from their GP and/or pharmacist before purchasing or taking over-the-counter preparations. For 56%, the package information leaflet is a frequent source of information about the over-the-counter drugs used. The respondents consider over-the-counter preparations to be particularly suitable for (preventive) treatment of colds, flu symptoms, and pain management. The widespread perception of over-the-counter drugs as simple to use (62%), low-dose (69%), and low-efficacy (73%) products does not always correspond to the actual capabilities and risks of over-the-counter self-medication. Given the easy availability of over-the-counter drugs and their strong presence in advertising, it is important that patients have a realistic idea of the capabilities and risks of over-the-counter products. In addition to the advice provided by pharmacists, the trusting, long-standing support provided by GPs and their ongoing information and advice services play a central role in this. It would be advisable to give more attention to this public health concern and to promote initiatives to make patients more aware of the risks regarding consumption of drugs without medical consultation.</p>","PeriodicalId":23882,"journal":{"name":"Wiener medizinische Wochenschrift","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10896805/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"33478548","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"[What prevention potential does the general practitioner setting offer for family caregivers?-findings from a qualitative interview study].","authors":"Julian Wangler, Michael Jansky","doi":"10.1007/s10354-021-00880-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10354-021-00880-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The support of people in need of care and assistance is often provided by caring relatives. General practitioners can play an important role in supporting this group, if they adapt to the problems and wishes of family caregivers.The aim of the exploratory study is to contrast care needs of family caregivers regarding the GP support with actually experienced care and, thereby, work out approaches for strengthening the GP's role.A total of 37 family caregivers were recruited via 13 internet forums focused on caregiving. Telephone interviews were conducted between September 2020 and March 2021.The majority of those interviewed consider the GP to be an important support body with a high level of competence and trust. The interviewees praise the GP's knowledge of the personal care situation, the responsiveness to a wide variety of problems and the focus on those in need of care. However, communication about the caring activity is often delayed significantly (late identification and addressing of family caregivers). GPs do not always address the needs of relatives to the same extent as they do to those in need of care. Only some of the doctors refer caregivers to offers of help and support.GPs can play a central role in supporting family caregivers. An crucial prerequisite for this is that family caregivers are recognized and involved at an early stage. In addition, it is important that GPs take into account the needs, desires and stresses of both caregivers and those being cared for. Consistent references to offers of help make it easier for family caregivers to organize care and to receive (psychosocial) support.</p>","PeriodicalId":23882,"journal":{"name":"Wiener medizinische Wochenschrift","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10896783/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39421839","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Stefan Neuwersch-Sommeregger, Markus Köstenberger, Wolfgang Pipam, Susanne Demschar, Brigitte Trummer, Christian Breschan, Rudolf Likar
{"title":"Pain in Austrian hospitals: evaluation of 1089 in-patients.","authors":"Stefan Neuwersch-Sommeregger, Markus Köstenberger, Wolfgang Pipam, Susanne Demschar, Brigitte Trummer, Christian Breschan, Rudolf Likar","doi":"10.1007/s10354-022-00984-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10354-022-00984-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Despite the existence of internationally consistent guidelines for the management of pain, efficient regional anesthesia techniques, safe pain medications, and organizational structures, e.g., acute pain services, various studies have shown that pain is still common among both surgical and non-surgical in-patients.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The primary objective of this study was to evaluate, on a multi-center basis, the point pain prevalence of surgical and non-surgical in-patients. We further analyzed pain intensities, in-hospital pain triggers, pain-related impairments, pain assessments, patient information about pain, and patient satisfaction with pain therapy. This benchmark information should lead to better implementation of pain management strategies and thus improve health care quality.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We surveyed all adult in-patients in three general hospitals in Austria (general hospital Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, general hospital Villach, general hospital Wolfsberg) on the index day with two standardized questionnaires for both surgical and non-surgical patients.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall, a pain prevalence of 40.0%, with no statistically significant difference between surgical and non-surgical patients, was shown. Higher pain prevalence in female patients, high pain prevalence in the age group 18-30 years, and highest pain prevalence in the age group over 90 years old was found. Overall pain intensity was relatively low, but unacceptable maximum pain within the preceding 24 h was shown. Different in-hospital pain triggers like patient's care and mobilization were found. Our survey has shown that pain has an impact on personal hygiene, mobilization, mood, sleep, and appetite. However, patients were very satisfied with their pain therapy.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Medical staff and nurses have to be sensitized to the urgent need to improve pain management strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":23882,"journal":{"name":"Wiener medizinische Wochenschrift","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40710854","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Experiences with Innovation Fund healthcare models in primary care: a qualitative study amongst German general practitioners.","authors":"Julian Wangler, Michael Jansky","doi":"10.1007/s10354-022-00935-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10354-022-00935-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Innovation Fund was set up in 2015 with the aim of improving medical care in the German statutory health insurance system. Primary care needs to be involved in testing interventions and new forms of care for effectiveness and inclusion in standard care. There has so far been hardly any research on how far Innovation Fund models accommodate the primary care setting, or on the experience general practitioners have had with these models. Between September 2021 and January 2022, 36 semi-standardized individual interviews were performed with general practitioners who had already participated in Innovation Fund projects. Eleven regional physician networks in Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Schleswig-Holstein were involved in the recruitment process. Most of the interviewees associated the Innovation Fund with potential and opportunity including intensification of application-oriented healthcare research, independent financing, and general healthcare involvement. Even so, many general practitioners were unsure as to how far primary care in particular would stand to benefit from the Innovation Fund in the long term. A mostly positive balance was drawn from participation in care models-benefit of intervention as well as cost-benefit ratio. However, some also reported hurdles and stress factors such as documentation requirements and disruption in everyday office routine. Innovation Fund projects will need to be suitable for general practitioners especially regarding medical decision-making leeway, limits to documentation requirements, preserving established office routine, greater involvement in research planning, and improvements to the primary care setting to encourage willingness to participate in Innovation Fund projects amongst general practitioners.</p>","PeriodicalId":23882,"journal":{"name":"Wiener medizinische Wochenschrift","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10896771/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45666606","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"[Technology assessment of digital health applications for reimbursement decisions].","authors":"Reinhard Jeindl, Claudia Wild","doi":"10.1007/s10354-021-00881-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10354-021-00881-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>For most digital health applications (DiGA) only limited evidence of benefit is available. Currently available assessment frameworks do not cover all domains of a full health technology assessment (HTA). Additionally, technology-specific aspects are required for the evaluation of DiGA. This work aimed to analyze the available assessment frameworks and design an evaluation process for DiGA.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>By a systematic literature search six assessment frameworks for DiGA were selected and analyzed. A hand search for strategies on DiGA of selected countries was conducted.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the analyzed assessment frameworks four described study designs. One assessment framework proposed a risk classification of DiGA. Aspects of artificial intelligence were assessed by one assessment framework. The analyzed countries have differing strategies for reimbursement of DiGA.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Assessment frameworks for DiGA are very heterogeneous. There are efforts to find regulations for DiGA on a national level. When evaluating DiGA, a staged approach considering risk classes with subsequent evaluation of relevant HTA aspects is recommended.</p>","PeriodicalId":23882,"journal":{"name":"Wiener medizinische Wochenschrift","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10896865/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39421808","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: revisiting the complement system and other aspects of pathogenesis.","authors":"Markus Ponleitner, Paulus Stefan Rommer","doi":"10.1007/s10354-022-00987-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10354-022-00987-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) represents a rare neuroimmunological disease causing recurrent attacks and accumulation of permanent disability in affected patients. The discovery of the pathogenic IgG‑1 antibody targeting a water channel expressed in astrocytes, aquaporin 4, constitutes a milestone achievement. Subsequently, multiple pathophysiological aspects of this distinct disease entity have been investigated. Demyelinating lesions and axonal damage ensue from autoantibodies targeting an astroglial epitope. This conundrum has been addressed in the current disease model, where activation of the complement system as well as B cells and interleukin 6 (IL-6) emerged as key contributors. It is the aim of this review to address these factors in light of novel treatment compounds which reflect these pathophysiological concepts in aiming for attack prevention, thus reducing disease burden in patients with NMOSD.</p>","PeriodicalId":23882,"journal":{"name":"Wiener medizinische Wochenschrift","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10810999/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"35211237","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Retrospective analysis of COVID-19 patients with Guillain-Barre, Miller-Fisher, and opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndromes-a case series.","authors":"Elisabeth Olbert, Naela Alhani, Walter Struhal","doi":"10.1007/s10354-023-01018-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10354-023-01018-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In accordance with the rising number of SARS-CoV‑2 infections, reports of neurological complications have also increased. They include cerebrovascular diseases but also immunological diseases such as Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), Miller-Fisher syndrome (MFS), and opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome (OMAS). While GBS and MFS are typical postinfectious complications, OMAS has only recently been described in the context of COVID-19. GBS, MFS, and OMAS can occur as para- and postinfectious, with different underlying pathomechanisms depending on the time of neurological symptom onset. The study aimed to describe clinical features, time between infection and onset of neurological symptoms, and outcome for these diseases.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>All COVID-19 patients treated in the neurological ward between January 2020 and December 2022 were screened for GBS, MFS, and OMAS. The clinical features of all patients, with a particular focus on the time of onset of neurological symptoms, were analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>This case series included 12 patients (7 GBS, 2 MFS, 3 OMAS). All GBS and one MFS patient received immunomodulatory treatment. Three patients (2 GBS, 1 OMAS) had a severe COVID-19 infection and received mechanical ventilation. In patients with OMAS, only one patient received treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin and cortisone. The remaining two patients, both with disease onset concurrent with SARS-COV‑2 infection, recovered swiftly without treatment. In all subgroups, patients with concurrent onset of neurological symptoms and COVID-19 infection showed a trend toward shorter disease duration.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>All patient groups displayed a shorter disease duration if the onset of neurological symptoms occurred shortly after the COVID-19 diagnosis. In particular, both the OMAS patients with symptom onset concurrent with COVID-19 showed only abortive symptoms followed by a swift recovery. This observation would suggest different pathomechanisms for immune-mediated diseases depending on the time of onset after an infection.</p>","PeriodicalId":23882,"journal":{"name":"Wiener medizinische Wochenschrift","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10810910/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9895564","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Elisabeth Freydl, Alexander Tinchon, Katrin Blauensteiner, Stefan Oberndorfer
{"title":"Anti-Ri paraneoplastic neurological syndrome presenting with bilateral cranial nerve VI palsy and jaw dystonia-a distinctive syndrome within the anti-Ri spectrum? : Case report and literature review.","authors":"Elisabeth Freydl, Alexander Tinchon, Katrin Blauensteiner, Stefan Oberndorfer","doi":"10.1007/s10354-023-01006-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10354-023-01006-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNS) are rare disorders associated with various onconeuronal antibodies. Anti-Ri antibodies (ANNA-2) are typically found in patients with opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome (OMS) and ataxia.</p><p><strong>Case report: </strong>We present an anti-Ri antibody-positive 77-year-old woman with subacute progressive bilateral cranial nerve VI palsy, gait disturbance and jaw dystonia. MRI of the brain showed hyperintense signals on T<sub>2</sub> bitemporal without contrast enhancement. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination exhibited mild pleocytosis of 13 cells/µl and positive oligoclonal bands. CSF was overall inconspicuous for a malignant or inflammatory etiology. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed anti-Ri antibodies in both serum and CSF. Subsequent diagnostic work up resulted in a newly diagnosed ductal carcinoma of the right breast. PNS in this case partially responded to the anti-tumor therapy.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This case shows similarities with recently published anti-Ri syndromes, which might form a distinct triad within the anti-Ri spectrum.</p>","PeriodicalId":23882,"journal":{"name":"Wiener medizinische Wochenschrift","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10811013/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10813301","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}