[Medical relevance of magnetic fields in pain therapy]. / Medizinische Relevanz von Magnetfeldern zur Schmerztherapie.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic and electromagnetic fields have been accepted as real physical entities in medicine and are believed to achieve pain relief. Magnetic field therapy has been acknowledged as a non-invasive, safe and simple method for treatment of the site of injury, source of pain or inflammation, or other types of illnesses and pathologies. However, a consensus regarding the statistical relevance of the effects has not been established. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A detailed literature research was performed and the results were evaluated. Inclusion criteria were that the studies had to be randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled, and no additional forms of treatment other than magnetic effects were allowed to be used. RESULTS: The evaluation of 17 studies with static magnetic fields showed on average no significant difference in pain relief between the group treated with magnetic fields and the placebo group. All studies using magnetic fields showed that forms of treatment conducted over a period of 30 min and at intervals of 1 week have no effects. In 10 studies with dynamic magnetic fields different effects were registered, which ranged from no effect to significant differences regarding pain relief between the treated and the control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Static magnetic fields are ineffective with respect to pain therapy. Dynamic magnetic fields show diverse effects. Hence, this therapy should be researched in depth.

[Dynamic evaluation of the effects of quality management]. / Dynamische Evaluierung der Effekte von Qualitätsmanagement.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of the effects of quality management over time at a radiology department. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data concerning the performance of the department, entered on a monthly basis, will be compared with entries in the error report system on the basis of time series analysis (regression models taking seasons and auto-correlation effects into account). The observation period consists of 46 homogeneous monthly time pulses. RESULTS: Effects of the suggestions and the total number of reports in the quality assurance system on the performance of the department can be observed with a two-month delay. This association is statistically highly significant (p < 0.01) and, because of the procedures used, not attributable to general developmental trends, seasonal fluctuations or autoregressive processes. CONCLUSION: Evaluation of quality assurance measures is a well justified demand and should be based on the analysis of data collected from quality assurance systems operating on a continuous basis over a long period of time. The analysis of data from a radiology department shows that quality assurance is reflected in the performance of the department.

[Midwives in Switzerland: a study of the work and recruitment status]. / Hebammen in der Schweiz: Eine Untersuchung zur Arbeits- und Nachwuchssituation.

The aim of this study was an analysis of the working conditions for midwives in- and outside of obstetric clinics. The study is based on a representative survey carried out among Swiss midwives in 1991 and on statistics of the Swiss Red Cross and the Swiss Federal Statistical Office. It could be shown that there is a high degree of professional satisfaction especially among midwives working on their own; of the negative aspects, the irregular work load and an inadequate income were among the most often named problems. Recruitment problems were evident, as there is a clear lack between the available places in the Swiss schools for midwifery and the need for midwives in this country, at least during periods of a relatively favorable economic situation.