Effectiveness of a comprehensive support program for families with parental cancer (Family-SCOUT): results of a multicenter non-randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Cancer patients with minor children but also their families suffer from significant psychological distress and comorbidity. Protective factors predicting successful coping are well known. Corresponding systematic interventions are rare and limited by access barriers. We developed a comprehensive family-centered intervention for cancer patients with at least one dependent minor. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Family-SCOUT represents a multicentric, prospective, interventional, and controlled study for families with parental cancer and their minor children. In the intervention group (IG), all family members were addressed using a care and case management approach for nine months. Families in the control group (CG) received standard of care. Participating parents were asked to complete the Hospital-Anxiety-Depression-Scale (HADS) questionnaire at enrolment (T0) and after 9 months (T2). The primary outcome was a clinically relevant reduction of distress in at least one parent per family, measured as minimal important difference (MID) of ≥1.6 in the HADS total score. The percentage of families achieving MID is compared between the IG and CG by exact Fisher's test, followed by multivariate confounder analyses. RESULTS: T0-questionnaire of at least one parent was available for 424 of 472 participating families, T2-questionnaire after 9 months was available for 331 families (IG n = 175, CG n = 156). At baseline, both parents showed high levels of distress (HADS total: sick parents IG: 18.7 ± 8.1; CG: 16.0 ± 7.2; healthy partners: IG: 19.1 ± 7.9; CG: 15.2 ± 7.7). The intervention was associated with a significant reduction in parental distress in the IG (MID 70.4% in at least one parent) compared with the CG (MID 55.8%; P = 0.008). Adjustment for group differences from specific confounders retained significance (P = 0.047). Bias from other confounders cannot be excluded. CONCLUSIONS: Parental cancer leads to a high psychosocial burden in affected families. Significant distress reduction can be achieved through an optimized and structured care approach directed at the family level such as family-SCOUT.

Cross-sectional increase of adherence to multidisciplinary tumor board decisions.

BACKGROUND: Cancer research has made great progress in the recent years. With the increasing number of options in diagnosis and therapy the implementation of tumorboards (TUBs) has become standard procedure in the treatment of cancer patients. Adherence tests on tumor board decisions are intended to enable quality assurance and enhancement for work in tumor boards in order to continuously optimize treatment options for cancer patients. METHODS: Subject of this study was the adherence of the recommendations made in three of 14 tumorboards, which take place weekly in the Center for Integrated Oncology (CIO) at the University Hospital Bonn. In total, therapy recommendations of 3815 patient cases were checked on their implementation. A classification into four groups has been made according to the degree of implementation. A second classification followed regarding the reasons for differences between the recommendation and the therapy which the patient actually received. RESULTS: The study showed that 80.1% of all recommendations in the three TUBs were implemented. 8.3% of all recommendations showed a deviance. Most important reasons for the deviances were patient wish (36.5%), patient death (26%) and doctoral decision, due to the patient's comorbidities or side effects of the treatment (24.1%).Interestingly, deviance in all three tumor boards in total significantly decreased over time. CONCLUSIONS: Aim of the study was to clarify the use of tumor boards and find approaches to make them more efficient. Based on the results efficiency might be optimized by increased consideration of patients` preferences, improved presentation of patient-related data, more detailed documentation and further structuring of the tumor board meetings.

[Differences between German and Turkish-speaking participants in a chronic heart failure management program]. / Unterschiede zwischen deutsch- und türkischsprachigen Teilnehmenden an einem strukturierten Herzinsuffizienz-Versorgungsmodell.

BACKGROUND: German and Turkish-speaking patients were recruited for a chronic heart failure management program. So far little is known about the special needs and characteristics of Turkish-speaking patients with chronic heart failure; therefore, the aim of this study was to examine sociodemographic and illness-related differences between German and Turkish-speaking patients with chronic heart failure. METHODS: German and Turkish-speaking patients suffering from chronic heart failure and insured with the AOK Rheinland/Hamburg or the BARMER GEK health insurance companies and living in Cologne, Germany, were enrolled. Recruitment took place in hospitals, private practices and at information events. Components of the program were coordination of a guideline-oriented medical care, telemonitoring (e.g., blood pressure, electrocardiogram, and weight), a 24-h information hotline, attendance by German and Turkish-speaking nurses and a patient education program. Data were collected by standardized interviews in German or Turkish language. Data were analyzed with descriptive measures and tested for significance differences using Pearson's χ2-test and the t­test. RESULTS: A total of 465 patients (average age 71 years, 55 % male and 33 % Turkish-speaking) were enrolled in the care program during the study period. Significant differences between German and Turkish-speaking patients were found for age, education, employment status, comorbidities, risk perception, knowledge on heart failure and fear of loss of independence. DISCUSSION: The response rate could be achieved with the help of specific measures for patient enrollment by Turkish-speaking integration nurses. The differences between German and Turkish-speaking patients should in future be taken into account in the care of people with chronic heart failure.

[Promotion of Young Scientists in Health Services Research - Evaluation of the Third Early Career Investigators Workshop in Health Services Research of the German Research Foundation (DFG)]. / Wissenschaftliche Nachwuchsförderung in der Versorgungsforschung - Ein Rückblick auf die DFG Nachwuchsakademie Versorgungsforschung 2014.

The third Early Career Investigators Workshop in Health Services Research (NWA) of the German Research Foundation (DFG) was initiated and hosted in 2014 by the Centre for Health Services Research Cologne (ZVFK) in cooperation with the Centre for Health and Society (CHS) in Dusseldorf and the Interdisciplinary Centre for Healthcare Research (IZVF) in Witten. The aim of the NWA participation was submitting a research proposal to the DFG. Young scientists were invited to apply with a draft proposal. A total of 100 applications were received. Out of these, 20 participants (15 women and 5 men) were selected. The disciplines most frequently represented were medicine, psychology, and sociology. After a one-day preparatory workshop, the preparation and evaluation of a project proposal, a 5-day academy and finalization of the proposal, a total of 19 research proposals were submitted to the DFG, out of which 10 were approved. The funded projects will be presented in 2015 at the German Conference of Health Services Research (DKVF).

Psychosocial Information Requirements for Multimorbid Breast Cancer Patients in Breast Centres in North Rhine Westphalia.

Introduction: The importance of breast cancer patients (BPs) being supplied with sufficient information is well known. This study investigated the unfulfilled psychosocial information requirements of multimorbid BPs. Methods: This study records the unfulfilled psychosocial information requirements of 4166 patients, who were treated at one of the fifty breast centres in North Rhine Westphalia. The Cologne patient questionnaire for breast cancer 2.0 included in the postal survey following hospital stays records the information requirements using an adapted version of the "Cancer patient information needs" scale. Through a univariate analysis using the χ2 test, it was investigated whether multimorbid BPs had significantly different psychosocial information requirements than BPs without further concomitant illnesses. Results: In general, it transpired that BPs had relatively low unfulfilled information requirements regarding work (20.7 %), everyday life (26.8 %), illness (27.4 %) and treatment (35.7 %), though such requirements were higher when it came to health-related behaviour (54.2 %). Multimorbid BPs had significantly lower unfulfilled information requirements regarding work and significantly larger ones regarding treatment in comparison to BPs without concomitant illnesses. Renal diseases and concomitant mental illnesses were associated with particularly high information requirements (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of our study should clarify the complexity and heterogeneity of information requirements of breast cancer patients in oncological care and should help to design the supply of information to be more patient-oriented.

[Turnover of Non-medical Staff in Outpatient Oncology Practices: Is Building Social Capital a Solution?]. / Fluktuation bei nicht-ärztlichem Personal in onkologischen Schwerpunktpraxen: Sozialkapitalaufbau als Lösungsansatz?

STUDY AIM: While a lot is known about potential and actual turnover of non-medical hospital staff, only few data exist for the outpatient setting. In addition, little is known about actual instruments which leaders can use to influence staff turnover in physician practices. In the literature, the social capital of an organisation, which means the amount of trust, common values and reciprocal behaviour in the organisation, has been discussed as a possible field of action. In the present study, staff turnover as perceived by outpatient haematologists and oncologists is presented and analysed as to whether social capital is associated with that staff turnover. In conclusion, measures to increase the social capital of a practice are presented. METHODS: The present study is based on data gathered in a questionnaire-based survey with members of the Professional Organisation of -Office-Based Haematologists and Oncologists (N=551). The social capital of the practice was captured from the haematologists and oncologists using an existing and validated scale. To analyse the impact of the practice's social capital on staff turnover, as perceived by the physicians, bivariate correlations and linear regression analyses were calculated. RESULTS: In total, 152 haematologists and oncologists participated in the study which represents a response rate of 28%. In the regression analyses, social capital appears as a significant and strong predictor of staff turnover (beta=-0.34; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Building social capital within the practice may be an important contribution to reducing staff turnover although the underlying study design does not allow for drawing causal conclusions regarding this relationship. To create social capital in their practice, outpatient physicians may apply measures that facilitate social interaction among staff, foster trust and facilitate cooperation. Such measures may already be applied when hiring and training new staff, but also continuously when leading employees and when organising work tasks, e.g., by establishing regular team meetings.

[The HAROW study: an example of outcomes research: a prospective, non-interventional study comparing treatment options in localized prostate cancer]. / Die HAROW-Studie: ein Beispiel für Versorgungsforschung : Prospektive, nicht-interventionelle Studie zur Behandlung des Niedrig-Risiko-Prostatakarzinoms.

BACKGROUND: The HAROW study was initiated to investigate the provision of ongoing medical care for patients with localized prostate cancer in a prospective, noninterventional setting and to investigate treatment options (Hormonal treatment, Active surveillance, Radiotherapy, Operation, Watchful waiting) under real-life conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 3169 patients were enrolled by 259 participating physicians in private practice in Germany. The median follow-up was 28.4 months. At 6-month intervals, the treating physicians reported data on clinical parameters, clinical course of disease, and quality of patient-physician interaction. RESULTS: The highest proportion of patients with low risk tumor was found in the defensive treatment groups (AS and WW). As expected, the AS group showed the highest progression rate. In all, 112 AS patients (23.9%) changed therapeutic strategy, 21 of them upon medical advice in the absence of any signs of progression. Metastases were seen most frequently in the WW group (1.5%). No metastases occurred in AS patients. Medical support in managing the disease reached high scores in all groups, the highest in AS. CONCLUSION: The data enable a differentiated comparative analysis of patient and tumor characteristics of each treatment group. Indication of AS was predominantly consistent with the guideline. The high rate of AS termination based on the physician's recommendation rather than on clinical progression is remarkable, and may be interpreted as a kind of insecurity in dealing with AS. Results regarding communication indicate that patients appreciated being involved in treatment decisions.

Can a stressed oncologist be good in a consultation? A qualitative study on the oncologists' perception.

The aim of this exploratory study was to examine how the working conditions and job stress of private practice oncologists (PPOs) affect their interaction with patients. Data for the study were collected through semi-structured interviews with PPOs selected based on purposeful sampling criteria. The data were evaluated using content analysis. Factors perceived by PPOs to influence their level of stress and patient care were some of their own personal characteristics as well as working conditions both within and outside their practices. Apart from being able to name specific stressors (e.g., dysfunctional organisational workflow and interruptions during medical encounters), the oncologists also mentioned individual and organisational resources (e.g., professional experience, well-educated nurses and good work organisation) for coping with job stress and improving interaction with patients. Within this study, we identified some obstacles on the individual and organisational level for good patient care, as working conditions which might lead to time pressure and stress, which subsequently have an impact on quality in patient care (e.g., less time for personal issues during patient consultations). Future stress research should conduct a more in-depth investigation of these and other interventions at both the individual and organisational levels in order to improve patient care.

[Elderly prostate cancer patients: patient information and shared decision making]. / Der ältere Prostatakrebspatient : Information und Einbezug in die Therapieentscheidung.

INTRODUCTION: Some data exist on information and decision-making preferences of elderly prostate cancer patients but little is known about whether communication needs are being met in urological practice. Therefore, it was the aim of this study to examine the information and shared decision-making experiences of prostate cancer patients over 75 years old. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The HAROW (hormonal therapy, active surveillance, radiation, operation and watchful waiting) study is a prospective, observational study designed to collect clinical data and patient reported outcome of different treatment options for patients newly diagnosed with localized prostate cancer under real conditions. At 6-month intervals general clinical data, PROs (e.g. quality of life, quality of physician-patient interaction) and individual costs are documented. Data from 2,482 patients at 4 time points from T0 (initial diagnosis) to T3 (24 months follow-up) were analyzed. RESULTS: T-tests and χ(2)-tests revealed no significant differences in terms of shared decision-making and information to different treatment options between patients aged over 75 years old and the rest of the sample. Regarding information on self-help groups, rehabilitation options and a second medical opinion, there were significant differences between prostate cancer patient age groups: patients aged over 75 years old received less information on these aspects at all points in time. CONCLUSION: Patients at all ages feel activated by urologists and are informed about different treatment options. However, there is room for improvement in terms of informing especially elderly prostate cancer patients about rehabilitation, second medical opinions and self-help groups. Special information tools and decision aids for prostate cancer patients aged over 75 years old should be developed and implemented to meet the specific information needs.

[On the importance of health services research: an overview]. / Zur Bedeutung der Versorgungsforschung : Ein Überblick.

In Germany, health services research has become an important area of research. Health services research is a multidisciplinary field of scientific investigation that studies central problems of health care to increase knowledge and understanding and provide solutions for those problems. The paper aims to demonstrate the value of health services research for health care practitioners by defining its central tasks, by describing the development of this research field in Germany and by deriving future challenges for health services researchers.

[Transparency as a prerequisite of innovation in health services research: deficits in the reporting of model projects concerning managed care]. / Transparenz als Voraussetzung für Innovation in der Versorgungsforschung: Defizite am Beispiel der Evaluation von Managed-Care-Modellvorhaben.

AIM: Currently, elements of managed care are being implemented in the German health-care system. The legal basis for these innovations are § 140, § 73, § 137, and §§ 63 et seq. of the German Social Code - Part 5 (SGB V). For the model projects according to §§ 63 et seq. of the German Social Code a scientific evaluation and publication of the evaluation results is mandatory. The present study examines the status of evaluation of German model projects. METHODS: The present study has a mixed method design: A mail and telephone survey with the German Federal Social Insurance Authority, the health insurance funds, and the regional Associations of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians has been conducted. Furthermore, an internet research on "Medpilot" and "Google" has been accomplished to search for model projects and their evaluation reports. RESULTS: 34 model projects met the inclusion criteria. 13 of these projects had been terminated up to 30/9/2008. 6 of them have published an evaluation report. 4 model projects have published substantial documents. One model project in progress has published a meaningful interim report. 12 model projects failed to give information concerning the evaluator or the duration of the model projects. IMPLICATIONS: The results show a significant deficit in the mandatory reporting of the evaluation of model projects in Germany. There is a need for action for the legislator and the health insurance funds in terms of promoting the evaluation and the publication of the results. The institutions evaluating the model projects should obligate themselves to publish the evaluation results. The publication is an essential precondition for the development of managed care structures in the health-care system and in the development of scientific evaluation methods.

[Methods for organisational health services research]. / Methoden für die organisationsbezogene Versorgungsforschung.

On 1 July 2009, the German Network for Health Services Research [Deutsches Netzwerk Versorgungsforschung e. V. (DNVF e. V.)] approved the Memorandum III "Methods for Health Services Research", supported by the member societies mentioned below and published in this journal (Gesundheitswesen 2009; 71: 505-510). The focus of this part of the Memorandum III "Methods for health services research" is on the questions and methods of organisational health services research. In a first step, we describe the central questions which are at the core of organisational health services research. In a second step, we describe the methodological standards and requirements with regard to a) sampling, b) measurement and c) research design. We present a phase model for complex intervention trials. This model allows to conduct high quality organisational health services research, to integrate different methods of social research and to show in which phase they are of special importance.

Determinants and implications of cancer patients' psychosocial needs.

GOALS OF WORK: Cancer patients often experience distress. However, the majority of newly diagnosed patients gradually adapt to the crisis. When symptoms of distress and anxiety persist over months, patients require psychosocial support. The aim of the present study was to determine the proportion of cancer patients who indicate the need for psychosocial support and to identify sociodemographic, psychological and illness-related factors predicting the need for psychosocial support in a German sample. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cross-sectional retrospective study was administered to 710 cancer patients who had been inpatients at the University Hospital of Cologne. The response rate was 49.5%. Patients suffering from bronchial, oesophageal, colorectal, breast, prostate and skin cancer participated in the study. The severity of depressive symptoms was assessed using the German version of the Major Depression Inventory. The level of anxiety was assessed with the state subscale of the German version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. To measure the functional aspects of health-related quality of life, the scales "physical functioning", "role functioning", "emotional functioning", "cognitive functioning" and "role functioning" of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) were used. MAIN RESULTS: Of the cancer patients, 18.9% indicate an unmet need for psychosocial support and 9.5% are actually using psychosocial services. In a multiple logistic regression, significant indicators of the need for psychosocial support are gender [p = 0.014; standardised effect coefficient (sc) = 1.615] and emotional functioning (p < 0.001; sc = 1.533). The estimated model has a specificity of 92.2% and a sensitivity of 54.0%. CONCLUSION: Almost a third of the cancer patient population indicates an unmet need for psychosocial support or is actually using psychosocial services. Emotional functioning is a central predictor of the requirement for psychosocial support. Women are emotionally more affected than men and need more psychosocial support. The prognostic validity of the severity of depression and anxiety is limited.

[Medication after hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome: Determinants of individual drug changes]. / Medikamentöse Versorgung bei akutem Koronarsyndrom nach Krankenhausentlassung. Determinanten individueller Medikationswechsel.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This study examines drug changes from therapeutic medication given during hospitalization to that in further out-of-hospital treatment prescribed by medical practitioners of patients with acute coronary syndrome. The main focus of this trial was to demonstrate any change in such medication after hospital discharge. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During a six-month period a "health diary" covering health status and medication was filled in weekly by 104 patients who had been hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome in the Cologne area of Germany. The mean age of the patients was 62 years and 76 (73%) of them were men. Changes in medication between hospital discharge and further treatment were recorded. Prescribed daily doses and guideline-recommended daily doses were compared for each drug class. RESULTS: Changes in medication were not observed in a population-based approach but occurred on an individual patient's level in 40% of them when only those drugs recommended in therapeutic guidelines were analysed. A fifth more lipid-lowering drugs and over a third more beta-blockers had been prescribed than recommended in the appropriate guidelines. For other groups of drugs no significant deviations from guideline recommendations were noted. DISCUSSION: No obvious interface problem between hospital and further-treatment medication was observed in a population-based approach. However, variations in medication were found when drug prescriptions of individual patients were compared But despite these variations in individual patient the overall prescribing practice by physicians out of hospital showed good implementation of the therapeutic guidelines.