[Pacemaker, organ or walking stick? Pre-op association with and post-op subjective perception of a deep brain stimulation device]. / Herzschrittmacher, Organ oder Gehstock? Vorher-Nachher-Befragung zur subjektiven Wahrnehmung eines Gerätes zur Tiefen Hirnstimulation.

AIM OF THE STUDY: This study was conducted in a pre-post design with a survey of patients who had undergone deep brain stimulation (DBS) as treatment for a neurological movement disorder. The aim of the study was to compare patients' expectations and beliefs before a DBS intervention with patients' subjective experience of this intervention. METHODOLOGY: The longitudinal study of patients (n=132) with an indication for DBS therapy was based on a written survey at the time points of preoperative screening (pre-op) and one-year follow-up (post-op). RESULTS: Preoperatively, a clear majority of respondents believed DSB to be similar to a pacemaker intervention, but one year after the intervention less than one third did so, as they compared DBS to using a walking stick or glasses. CONCLUSION: The experience of DBS in the patient's own body seems to be comparable by means of individually different associations, whereby the comparison with non-invasive aids predominates postoperatively. The discussion of these descriptions in the educational interview can contribute to a realistic horizon of patients' expectations before DBS.

Analyzing factors determining vaccination willingness against COVID-19 in Germany 2020.

The study is based on a German single-topic population survey on vaccination willingness against COVID-19 (VWC) by the authors (2020, n = 2014). The single-topic survey allowed us to test several competing explanations for VWC, as discussed in the literature. The VWC in the sample was 67.3%. Logistic regression was used to identify factors affecting VWC. Being at high risk from COVID-19 and having received flu vaccination have a positive impact on VWC. Perceived VWC of friends has a strong positive effect on respondents' VWC. Bivariate relationships of gender, age, and level of education with VWC were no longer significant in a multivariate analysis. Trust in alternative medicine and belief in conspiracy theories have a negative effect on VWC.

[Opportunities and Challenges of Digitalization in Rehabilitation: Results of a Survey of Rehabilitation Facilities]. / Chancen und Herausforderungen der Digitalisierung bei der Rehabilitation ­ Ergebnisse einer Befragung von Rehabilitationseinrichtungen.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to measure the status of digitalization and the opportunities and challenges for rehabilitation facilities connected to telematics infrastructure. METHODS: A partially standardized online survey of all providers of rehabilitation facilities in Bavaria (n=33) was carried out. The questionnaire with 36 questions included a scale based on the Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM). RESULTS: The level of digitization was reported as level 0 in 70% of the rehabilitation facilities (level model to 7). The transmission of patient-related data (incoming and outgoing) is often analogue, whereas the processing within the facility is already predominantly digital in many cases. When connecting to the telematics infrastructure, installation, training of staff and adaptation of work organization required quite a bit of effort. CONCLUSION: Changes in the legal-financial situation in Germany open up new opportunities for increased digitalization of rehabilitation facilities. Hurdles are related to IT security requirements, staff training, and the low level of digitalization in hospitals, among doctors, and patients, which make digital data transmission difficult.

[Parents' Willingness to Vaccinate with a COVID-19 Vaccine]. / Impfbereitschaft von Eltern mit einem COVID-19-Vakzin: Die Rolle von Elternschaft und Geschlecht.

BACKGROUND: Parents are faced with a vaccination decision in the context of their own vaccination and that of their children with a COVID-19 vaccine. At present, there is no (complete) vaccination recommendation. RESEARCH QUESTION: The study investigates the willingness to vaccinate of parents of minors and people without children who are minors, in which gender differences in particular are examined. METHODS: The study is based on a random sample (telephone survey, n = 2,014, collected between 12 November and 10 December 2020). The evaluation is primarily based on the sub-sample of people with minors in the household (n = 461). RESULTS: Parents of minors consistently show a lower willingness to be vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine than respondents without minors (54.1% vs 71.1%). Fathers show a stronger willingness to be vaccinated than mothers. Furthermore, men are more willing to get their own child vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine than are women. CONCLUSIONS: Among parents and especially mothers, a considerable misrepresentation of vaccination risks and frequent beliefs in vaccination conspiracy theories can be observed. Clear and easily understandable information on the effects and side effects of vaccination with a COVID-19 vaccine by relevant institutions and physicians is recommended.