S2k-Leitlinie SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 und (Früh-) Rehabilitation ­ eine Kurzfassung mit allen Empfehlungen im Überblick.

The consensus-based SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, and Rehabilitation Practice Guideline provides recommendations that take both infection prevention and the pursuit of therapeutic goals in rehabilitation settings during the coronavirus pandemic into account. The Practice Guideline provides guidance how to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infections in rehabilitation settings in a first part. The guideline's second part addresses rehabilitation for patients affected by COVID-19 starting with interventions on intensive care units, during early rehabilitation, post-acute rehabilitation, in outpatient and community rehabilitation settings, as well as long-term care, e. g. for COVID-19 survivors with Long- or Post-COVID.The updated second version of the Practice Guideline (dating from 01.11.2021) is a consensus-based guideline developed by a representative panel of healthcare professionals from 15 medical societies covering various rehabilitation disciplines, infectious diseases, hospital hygiene, and epidemiology. The abbreviated version provides an overview of all recommendations given.

Psychometric properties of the Occupational Stress and Coping Inventory (AVEM) in a cancer population.

BACKGROUND: Although the Occupational Stress and Coping Inventory (AVEM) questionnaire is used to assess work behaviour during occupation-related oncological rehabilitation, little is known about its psychometric characteristics in cancer patients. Therefore, we analysed the psychometric properties of the AVEM in this group. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The AVEM was administered to 477 cancer patients at the beginning of rehabilitation. The AVEM consists of 11 subscales that categorise patients into one of four types of work behaviour. We obtained data from several subgroups and analysed reliability using Cronbach's α. We performed a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the dimensional structure proposed by the authors of the AVEM. In addition, we analysed the AVEM's predictive validity by examining work-related outcomes one year after the end of rehabilitation (N = 336). RESULTS: Similar to a population-based reference sample, half of the patients exhibited work behaviours that might be problematic in stressful working situations. The AVEM proved to be a reliable instrument, and the CFA supported the factor structure of the AVEM. The analyses of predictive validity suggest that work behaviour and mental health characteristics, that involve the tendency to feel overwhelmed and less motivated at work, might lead to an increased level of occupational stress one year post-rehabilitation. DISCUSSION: The AVEM can be used during rehabilitation to assess the extent to which patients report work behaviours associated with occupational stress and dissatisfaction. Patients who exhibit the tendency to feel overwhelmed and helpless in stressful work situations should be identified early so they can be offered support.

Occupational stress and its association with early retirement and subjective need for occupational rehabilitation in cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE: Returning to work often plays an important role for cancer survivors. Occupational stress may hamper a successful return to work, so cancer survivors should be given the opportunity to address occupational stress issues before returning to work. We investigated the amount of occupational stress among cancer patients and whether it is associated with their well-being, their subjective need for occupational rehabilitation and elevations in their risk of early retirement. METHODS: At the beginning of rehabilitation, we asked cancer patients to respond to occupation-related and health-related questionnaires. We used t-tests, chi-square tests, and logistic regression analyses to address our research questions. RESULTS: A total of 477 patients participated in the study. Of these, 19% were occupationally stressed, and 26% reported subjective need for occupational rehabilitation. Patients who reported work-related stress had a diminished quality of life, were more likely to report subjective need for occupational rehabilitation (OR = 2.16), and had a higher risk of early retirement (OR = 5.44). Furthermore, cancer patients reported deficits in both active coping abilities and mental stability at work. CONCLUSIONS: Because occupational stress is associated with a higher risk of early retirement, both patients and physicians should take work-related problems seriously. Screening patients for occupational stress may help physicians identify patients who are at risk of experiencing problematic work re-entries. Furthermore, the results of the study suggest that cancer patients might have problems maintaining confidence in their abilities to solve work-related problems. Therefore, facilitating the development of a perception of self-efficacy might be an important treatment goal.

Work-related predictors of not returning to work after inpatient rehabilitation in cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to explore the association between work-related factors and not returning to work in cancer patients. The identification of any special issues contributes to the development of occupation-related rehabilitation programmes. This study focused on aspects that may be influenced by patients with the help of counselling (e.g., handling occupational stress). MATERIAL AND METHODS: At the beginning and one year after the end of rehabilitation, we asked patients to answer occupation-related questionnaires. We used t-tests and χ(2)-tests as well as logistic regression analyses to address our research questions. RESULTS: Of 333 patients, 21% had not returned to work one year after the end of rehabilitation. In comparison with working patients, patients who were not working reported poorer mental health and more occupational problems at the beginning of rehabilitation. Unemployment at the beginning of rehabilitation, an elevated risk of early retirement and limited self-assessed work ability increased the probability of not returning to work. CONCLUSION: Patients who did not return to work represent a subgroup within rehabilitation. These patients need special support and should receive counselling beyond the time of rehabilitation. This is particularly true for unemployed patients who need intensive help to return to the workforce. Furthermore, patients' estimations of their work ability and their plans for returning to work play a crucial role and should be discussed during rehabilitation.

Oncologic Rehabilitation in the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Situation in Clinics.

BACKGROUND: Oncological rehabilitation is an important pillar in the treatment of cancer patients. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this form of therapy is particularly challenged, as it relies heavily on group therapies. The aim of the study was to find out what impact the pandemic has had on oncological rehabilitation so far and how the rehabilitation clinics have dealt with it. METHODS: A web-based survey was used to collect data from 14 oncological rehabilitation clinics on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on occupancy, staffing trends, and hygiene measures for the observation period from March 1, 2020, to February 28, 2021. The data were compared with the same period 1 year earlier. In addition, the compensatory measures taken with regard to therapy were recorded. RESULTS: While only 15,272 patients were rehabilitated in the period under review, 21,257 patients were rehabilitated in the same period 1 year earlier. This corresponds to a decrease in occupancy of 28%. Three clinics were affected by temporary closures due to the pandemic. In 39% of the clinics, screening tests for patients had already been started for more than 8 months, while this was also offered to staff in only 23% of the clinics. With regard to changes in the therapeutic offer, more physiotherapeutic small groups with a reduced number of participants were used. This was also used in the area of sports therapy and education offers by 73% and 60% of the clinics, respectively. Overall, 92% of the participants assumed an economic recovery at the time of the survey. CONCLUSION: Despite a considerable decrease in occupancy in the oncological rehabilitation clinics, the therapies could be changed and carried out in a hygiene-compliant manner. Screening tests were offered at an early stage for patients as well as somewhat delayed for staff. The data show that pandemic-consistently changes in oncological rehabilitation are possible and that supply chains can be maintained.

The role of family confidants and caregivers in the care of older cancer patients: Extending the concept of "shared decision-making".

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Family caregivers play an important role in assisting their family members with cancer, but their influence on the treatment decision-making process has not yet been adequately investigated. This exploratory study approached this topic via reconstructive methodology, focusing on assessing patient-caregiver relationships. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 37 mostly elderly cancer patients (median age: 74 years) about the context of their diagnosis, treatment decision, and family support. Additionally, we interviewed 34 caregivers of cancer patients. Of these, 25 were related to patients interviewed. We analyzed the interviews via a multi-step coding method informed by Grounded Theory methodology toward characterizing patient-caregiver relationships, the treatment decision-making process, and the caregivers' role therein. RESULTS: In the majority of cases (86%), patients were being supported by caregivers. We categorized patient-caregiver relationships in regards to the caregivers' involvement in the therapy decision-making process. We found patient-caregiver interaction patterns that indicate the potential of caregivers to decidedly influence the therapy decision-making process. Yet, only in 38% of cases, a caregiver attended relevant patient-physician-consultations. CONCLUSION: Depending on the nature of the patient-caregiver relationship, the traditional concept of shared decision-making, which assumes a dyadic relationship, needs to be extended toward a more dynamic concept in which caregivers should be involved more frequently. This could enable physicians to better understand a patient's reasons for or against a therapy proposal and ensure that the patient's wishes are communicated and considered. On the other hand, strong caregiver-involvement bears risks of over-stepping elderly patients' wishes, thus violating patient autonomy.

Rehabilitation of Cancer Survivors with Long-Term Toxicities.

The prognosis of cancer patients is constantly improving, which increases the importance of securing long-term quality of life. While therapy of treatment-related disability mostly succeeds a cancer-specific treatment, physicians' awareness of simultaneous supportive therapy is rising. Early interventions such as physical exercise during chemotherapy are effective in reducing conditions such as fatigue. Specific sensorimotor training is able to improve or even prevent impairment of balance caused by neurotoxic agents. Although targeted therapies reduce the risk of side effects, combinations with established drugs have to be monitored with regard to cardiotoxicity, which is already a concern in children's cancer therapy and is now also focused on in long-term adult survivors. Improvement in diagnosis und surgical procedures have reduced impairments such as lymphedema. Furthermore, management and quality of life of breast cancer patients benefit from evidence showing that physical exercise and resistance training do not increase the risk of developing lymphedema.