Identifying gaps in healthcare: a qualitative study of Ukrainian refugee experiences in the German system, uncovering differences, information and support needs.

BACKGROUND: The 5.8 million Ukrainian refugees arriving in European countries must navigate varying healthcare systems and different and often unknown languages in their respective host countries. To date, there has been little exploration of the experiences, perceived differences, information and support needs of these refugees regarding the use of healthcare in Germany. METHODS: We conducted ten qualitative interviews with Ukrainian refugees living in Germany from February to May 2023, using Ukrainian, English and German language. The transcribed interviews were analysed using the qualitative content analysis method according to Kuckartz and Rädiker with the MAXQDA software. RESULTS: In general, participants consistently had a positive experience of the German healthcare system, particularly regarding the quality of treatments and insurance. Differences have been reported in the structure of the healthcare systems. The Ukrainian healthcare system is divided into private and state sectors, with no mandatory insurance and frequent out-of-pocket payments. Pathways differ and tend to focus more on clinics and private doctors. General practitioners, often working in less well-equipped offices, have only recently gained prominence due to healthcare system reforms. Initiating contact with doctors is often easier, with much shorter waiting times compared to Germany. Interviewees often found the prescription requirements for many medications in Germany to be unusual. However, the mentioned differences in healthcare result in unmet information needs among the refugees, especially related to communication, navigating the healthcare system, health insurance, waiting times and medication access. These needs were often addressed through personal internet research and informal (social media) networks because of lacking official information provided during or after their arrival. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the positive experiences of Ukrainian refugees in the German healthcare system, differences in the systems and language barriers led to barriers using healthcare and information needs among refugees. The dissemination of information regarding characteristics of the German health care system is crucial for successful integration but is currently lacking. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00030942, date of registration: 29.12.2022.

[Impact of Non-Pharmacological Measures during COVID-19 Pandemic in Adolescents - A Cross-sectional Study of 649 10th Grade Pupils in the City of Witten, Germany (GeWIT-Study)]. / Erfahrungen und Auswirkungen von nicht-pharmakologischen Maßnahmen in der COVID-19 Pandemie bei Jugendlichen ­ eine Querschnittstudie unter 649 Schüler:innen der 10. Klassen in Witten (GeWIT-Studie).

AIM: The aim of this study was to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and non-pharmacological interventions, with a particular focus on the subjective experiences of pupils in relation to the measures, the extent to which quarantine and illness with COVID-19 influenced their perception of the disease, the protective measures taken and the groups that were particularly affected. METHODS: From November 2021 to February 2022, a written survey of tenth grade pupils from all nine secondary municipal schools in the city of Witten, Germany was conducted. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze and evaluate the data. RESULTS: 98.3% of the pupils present in class (n=649) were included in the survey. Of the study population, 12.9% stated that they had already had COVID-19 and 43.6% had been quarantined. 27.3% of the pupils reported that mask-wearing was not easy for them, while 65.2% found wearing a mask easy. Furthermore, 33.4% reported that distance learning had negatively impacted their well-being, and 6.9% of the pupils reported that they had experienced more violence during the pandemic. Fear of COVID-19 was reported by 10% of the pupils, and was less frequently reported if pupils had already been infected with COVID-19 or had been quarantined. 75.7% reported no fear of COVID-19. DISCUSSION: The COVID-19 pandemic and the non-pharmacological measures to address it presented significant challenges and were a substantial burden on the pupils. The present study shows that the pandemic and/or the measures had a negative impact on the pupils. It is imperative to critically examine the measures, particularly in relation to vulnerable groups such as gender-diverse or socio-economically disadvantaged pupils. Education that is needs-based and target group-oriented can facilitate increased acceptance and perceptions of safety of implemented measures among pupils.

[Changes in Prescription Patterns of Oral Anticoagulants in Family Practices after Marketing Approval of Direct Oral Anticoagulants]. / Änderungen bei der Verordnung oraler Antikoagulation in Hausarztpraxen nach Einführung der direkten oralen Antikoagulanzien.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Since 2011, non-vitamin-K-dependent oral anticoagulants (NOAC) have extended the spectrum of anticoagulation therapy. Initially, the approval of NOAC was limited to the prophylaxis of postoperative thrombosis, but in the course of time the spectrum was extended to the therapy of thrombosis and embolism as well as anticoagulation in non-valvular atrial fibrillation. The study was designed to examine how the approval of NOAC had affected the prescribing behaviour of general practitioners in the first years of their approval. METHODS: In a retrospective longitudinal study, the prescriptions of anticoagulants between 2012 and 2017 were analysed in 3 general practitioners' practices in the Bonn area. The study included all patients for whom at least one prescription from a NOAC or a vitamin K antagonist (VKA) was documented in the administrative system of the practices during this period. RESULTS: A total of n=579 patient files were evaluated (47% female; median age 75 years). Of these, 47% received a VKA, and 40% a NOAC (59% rivaroxaban, 29% apixaban, 9% dabigatran and 3% edoxaban). During the period under examination, the share of VKA prescriptions decreased from 45% to 14% and the share of NOAC increased from 28% to 87%. Anti-coagulation was changed in 12%. The most frequent change was from a VKA to a NOAC (70%). CONCLUSION: After marketing approval, the use of NOAC in the initial prescriptions increased steadily. This trend can also be seen in other European studies. VKA are mainly prescribed to patients with stable oral anticoagulation. As recommended in the guidelines, anticoagulation is changed mainly when problems occur during therapy. If the trend in the prescription of anticoagulants continues, in the medium term, VKA will only be prescribed for patients who have been stable for many years and for patients with artificial heart valves.

[Multimorbidity and its Importance in Future Health Care in Germany: a Secondary Data Analysis Based on 67 Million Health Insurance Policy Holders]. / Multimorbidität in Deutschland und ihre Bedeutung für die Versorgung der Zukunft ­ eine Sekundärdatenanalyse basierend auf 67 Mio. Versichertendaten.

BACKGROUND: Multimorbidity is a particular challenge for health care systems. In Germany, epidemiological findings are primarily sample-based. The estimated prevalence among adults in Germany is high, but there are methodological problems, such as a lack of a uniform definition. METHOD: Statutory health insurance data from the information system for health care data ("Informationssystem Versorgungsdaten") of the former German Institute for Medical Documentation and Information were analyzed. A total of 67.3 million people with statutory health insurance in 2014 were included. Multimorbidity was defined by the presence of at least three chronic diseases from a list of 46 diseases per ICD-10. RESULTS: A total of 21,157,937 individuals, or 31.4% of the total cohort, were defined as multimorbid. In men, progression of multimorbidity occurred at the age of about 40 years, whereas the increase was seen at the age of about 35 years in women. The different disease burden varied in different age and sex groups. CONCLUSION: A better understanding of complex disease interactions in relation to age and sex is needed. Interdisciplinary approaches with specific care concepts for multimorbidity, adapted to the chronic care model, should be explored in order to achieve an ideal care situation in Germany.

Patients' perspective on supposedly patient-relevant process and outcome parameters: a cross-sectional survey within the 'PRO patients study'.

BACKGROUND: To be able to make informed choices based on their individual preferences, patients need to be adequately informed about treatment options and their potential outcomes. This implies that studies measure the effects of care based on parameters that are relevant to patients. In a previous scoping review, we found a wide variety of supposedly patient-relevant parameters that equally addressed processes and outcomes of care. We were unable to identify a consistent understanding of patient relevance and therefore aimed to develop an empirically based concept including a generic set of patient-relevant parameters. As a first step we evaluated the process and outcome parameters identified in the scoping review from the patients' perspective. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among German general practice patients. Ten research practices of Witten/Herdecke University supported the study. During a two-week period in the fall of 2020, patients willing to participate self-administered a short questionnaire. It evaluated the relevance of the 32 parameters identified in the scoping review on a 5-point Likert scale and offered a free-text field for additional parameters. These free-text answers were inductively categorized by two researchers. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Bivariate analyses were performed to determine whether there are any correlations between rating a parameter as highly relevant and patients' characteristics. RESULTS: Data from 299 patients were eligible for analysis. All outcomes except 'sexuality' and 'frequency of healthcare service utilization' were rated important. 'Confidence in therapy' was rated most important, followed by 'prevention of comorbidity' and 'mobility'. Relevance ratings of five parameters were associated with patients' age and gender, but not with their chronic status. The free-text analysis revealed 15 additional parameters, 12 of which addressed processes of care, i.e., 'enough time in physician consultation'. CONCLUSION: Patients attach great value to parameters addressing processes of care. It appears as though the way in which patients experience the care process is not less relevant than what comes of it. Relevance ratings were not associated with chronic status, but few parameters were gender- and age-related. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials Initiative, registration number: 1685.

Factors influencing length of survival in ambulatory palliative care - a cross sectional study based on secondary data.

BACKGROUND: Quality of life and patient self-determination are key elements in successful palliative care. To achieve these goals, a robust prediction of the remaining survival time is useful as it can provide patients and their relatives with information for individual goal setting including appropriate priorities. The Aim of our study was to assess factors that influence survival after enrollment into ambulatory palliative care. METHODS: In this cross-sectional, multicenter study (n = 14 study centers) clinical records of all palliative care patients who were treated in 2017 were extracted and underwent statistical analysis. The main outcome criterion was the association of survival time with clinical characteristics such as age, type of disease, symptoms and performance status. RESULTS: A total of 6282 cases were evaluated. Median time of survival was 26 days (95 % CI: 25-27 days). The strongest association for an increased hazard ratio was found for the following characteristics: moderate/severe weakness (aHR: 1.91; 95 % CI: 1.27-2.86) Karnofsky score 10-30 (aHR: 1.80; 95 % CI: 1.67-1.95), and age > 85 (aHR: 1.50; 95 % CI: 1.37-1.64). Surprisingly, type of disease (cancer vs. non-cancer) was not associated with a change in survival time (aHR: 1.03; 95 % CI: 0.96-1.10). CONCLUSIONS: In this cross-sectional study, the most relevant predictor for a short survival time in specialized ambulatory palliative care was the performance status while type of disease was irrelevant to survival.

[Specialized Outpatient Palliative Care: Results of a Cross-Sectional Study]. / Spezialisierte ambulante Palliativversorgung (SAPV) ­ Querschnittsanalyse von Symptomlast, Diagnosen und Sterbeort über 7 Jahre an einem Standort in NRW.

OBJECTIVE: Specialized outpatient palliative care (SAPV) is an important component in the care of people in their final days of life in Germany. The analysis of a representative cohort allows important conclusions to be drawn for improving the situation of people in palliative care in Germany. METHODS: We analyzed the routine data of 2691 palliative patients collected during the care of an SAPV team. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 24. RESULTS: In SAPV, approximately three-fourths of patients died in their homes. Of the total of 2691 patients, 1972 suffered from a malignancy and 719 patients had a non-malignant, chronic disease. The age at first contact with SAPV was significantly higher in patients without malignancy. Patients with or without malignancy did not differ from each other in terms of quality of life (Karnofsky's score) or symptom frequency. Only disorientation was documented significantly more frequently in non-tumor patients and was also more pronounced. CONCLUSION: SAPV enables the fulfilment of the wish of most patients to die in their homes.

Risk factors for a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR in patients with common cold symptoms in a primary care setting - a retrospective analysis based on a joint documentation standard.

BACKGROUND: Combating the COVID-19 pandemic is a major challenge for health systems, citizens and policy makers worldwide. Early detection of affected patients within the large and heterogeneous group of patients with common cold symptoms is an important element of this effort, but often hindered by limited testing resources, false-negative test results and the lack of pathognomonic symptoms in COVID-19. Therefore, we aimed to identify anamnestic items with an increased/decreased odds ratio for a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR (CovPCR) result in a primary care setting. METHODS: We performed a multi-center cross-sectional cohort study on predictive clinical characteristics for a positive CovPCR over a period of 4 weeks in primary care patients in Germany. RESULTS: In total, 374 patients in 14 primary care centers received CovPCR and were included in this analysis. The median age was 44.0 (IQR: 31.0-59.0) and a fraction of 10.7% (n = 40) tested positive for COVID-19. Patients who reported anosmia had a higher odds ratio (OR: 4.54; 95%-CI: 1.51-13.67) for a positive test result while patients with a sore throat had a lower OR (OR: 0.33; 95%-CI: 0.11-0.97). Furthermore, patients who had a first grade contact with an infected persons and showed symptoms themselves also had an increased OR for positive testing (OR: 5.16; 95% CI: 1.72-15.51). This correlation was also present when they themselves were still asymptomatic (OR: 12.55; 95% CI: 3.97-39.67). CONCLUSIONS: Several anamnestic criteria may be helpful to assess pre-test probability of COVID-19 in patients with common cold symptoms.

[Health Expertise of Seasonal Influenza Vaccination among Midwife Trainees in North Rhine-Westphalia: Results of a Cross-Sectional Study]. / Wissen und Einstellungen über die saisonale Influenza-Impfung von Hebammenschülerinnen in Nordrhein-Westfalen: Ergebnisse einer Querschnittsstudie.

OBJECTIVE: For the first time, the level of knowledge and attitude towards vaccinations in general as well as seasonal influenza vaccination of midwife trainees in Germany was assessed. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted between May and July 2017. The written standardized questionnaire was completed by all midwife-trainees in North Rhine-Westphalia. The statistical analysis included frequency tables and multiple logistic regression models. RESULTS: All of the 10 Schools for Midwifery in North Rhine-Westphalia participated in the survey and 315 questionnaires (response rate: 95.7%) were analyzed. The efficacy of seasonal influenza vaccinations was misjudged by 77.8% and possible adverse events were correctly estimated by only 35.2%. Regarding the safety of the seasonal influenza vaccination during pregnancy, 56.2% of midwife trainees were not convinced of it. Factors associated with a higher risk for insufficient knowledge regarding the influenza vaccination were age (22-25 years vs. 18-21 years, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.99 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12-3.52)), an inaccurate evaluation of the risk of infection (aOR 3.68 95%-CI 1.85-7.29) and insufficient knowledge of the influenza disease (aOR 1.78 95%-CI 1.04-3.06). By contrast, 76.8% of midwife trainees reported a positive attitude towards vaccinations in general, although 73.3% complained of getting too little information on complications due to vaccines. CONCLUSION: The lack of knowledge regarding seasonal influenza vaccination in midwife trainees impedes the expansion of vaccine protection of midwives, pregnant women and newborns. Information campaigns among midwife trainees as well as an evaluation and optimization of teaching units including scientifically validated information seem necessary. Moreover, these findings should encourage physicians to increasingly draw attention to the importance and efficacy of seasonal influenza vaccination among all medical professionals.

[Addressing Issues of Living Will and Power of Attorney in Patients With Dementia - A Cross-Sectional Study Among German General Practitioners]. / Hausärztlicher Umgang mit Patientenverfügung und Vorsorgevollmacht bei Demenzpatienten ­ Eine Querschnittsstudie unter deutschen Hausärzten.

OBJECTIVES: Issues of living will and power of attorney must be addressed as early as possible in dementia patients because of their decreasing independence and ability to act for themselves. The aim of this study was to investigate whether general practitioners (GPs), who usually have long-standing and regular contact with this group of patients, address these precautionary measures and if there is any association between this approach and further communication and educational behaviour of doctors. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey, using standardized, written questionnaires, was conducted in a random sample of 982 GPs in North Rhine-Westphalia in western Germany between October 2017 and January 2018. Descriptive statistical as well as logistic regression analyses were carried out using IBM SPSS Statistics, version 24. RESULTS: A total of 339 GPs responded to the survey questionnaire (response rate: 34.5%). A majority of GPs (70.1%) agreed totally or partially that it was necessary to address their dementia patients on living will and power of attorney; GPs who were more confident in communicating a dementia diagnosis reported addressing the issue of documents for the end of life more frequently (aOR: 1.97; 95%-CI: 1.17-3.33). Older GPs with greater knowledge of regional services for dementia patients also tended to address this topic more frequently. CONCLUSIONS: General practitioners make a major contribution to help dementia patients and their relatives to plan ahead at an early stage of the disease. It can be concluded from our results that GPs' knowledge and experiences about dementia and local services, as well as how to deal with those affected should be improved in order to optimise communication on living will and power of attorney as precautionary measures.

Over-indebtedness and its association with sleep and sleep medication use.

BACKGROUND: Over-indebtedness is currently rising in high-income countries. Millions of citizens are confronted with the persistent situation when household income and assets are insufficient to cover payment obligations and living expenses. Previous research shows that over-indebtedness increases the risk of various adverse health effects. However, its association with sleep problems has not yet been examined. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between over-indebtedness and sleep problems and sleep medication use. METHODS: A cross-sectional study on over-indebtedness (OID survey) was conducted in 70 debt advisory centres in Germany in 2017 that included 699 over-indebted respondents. The survey data were combined with the nationally representative German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults (DEGS1; n = 7987). We limited analyses to participants with complete data on all sleep variables (OID: n = 538, DEGS1: n = 7447). Descriptive analyses and logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between over-indebtedness and difficulty initiating and maintaining sleep, and sleep medication use. RESULTS: A higher prevalence of sleep problems and sleep medication use was observed among over-indebted individuals compared to the general population. After adjustment for socio-economic and health factors (age, sex, education, marital status, employment status, subjective health status and mental illness), over-indebtedness significantly increased the risk of difficulties with sleep onset (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.79, 95%-confidence interval (CI) 1.45-2.21), sleep maintenance (aOR 1.45, 95%-CI 1.17-1.80) and sleep medication use (aOR 3.94, 95%-CI 2.96-5.24). CONCLUSIONS: Evidence suggests a strong association between over-indebtedness and poor sleep and sleep medication use independent of conventional socioeconomic measures. Considering over-indebtedness in both research and health care practice will help to advance the understanding of sleep disparities, and facilitate interventions for those at risk. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00013100 (OID survey, ArSemü); Date of registration: 23.10.2017; Date of enrolment of the first participant: 18.07.2017, retrospectively registered.

Cost-related medication nonadherence among over-indebted individuals enrolled in statutory health insurance in Germany: a cross-sectional population study.

BACKGROUND: Millions of citizens in high-income countries face over-indebtedness that implies being unable to cover payment obligations with available income and assets on an ongoing basis. Studies have shown an association between over-indebtedness and health outcomes, independent of standard socioeconomic status measures. Patterns of cost-related medication nonadherence (CRN) among over-indebted individuals are yet unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the frequency of nonadherence to prescribed medications due to cost, and to identify risk factors for CRN among over-indebted individuals in Germany. METHODS: In 2017, we conducted a cross-sectional survey among over-indebted individuals recruited in 70 debt advice agencies in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Data on CRN in the last 12 months (i.e. not filling prescriptions, skipping or decreasing doses of prescribed medication due to financial problems) were collected by a survey using a self-administered written questionnaire that was returned by 699 individuals with a response rate of 50.2%. Prevalence of CRN was assessed using descriptive statistics. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to examine risk factors of CRN, including participants enrolled in statutory health insurance with complete data (n = 521). RESULTS: The prevalence of CRN was 33.6%. The chronically ill had significantly greater odds of cost-related medication nonadherence (aOR 1.96; 95% CI 1.27-3.03) than individuals without a chronic illness. CRN was more likely to occur in individuals who had discussed financial problems with their general practitioner (aOR 1.58; 95% CI 1.01-2.47). There was no association between CRN and other sociodemographic factors or socioeconomic status. CONCLUSIONS: Medication nonadherence due to financial pressures is common among over-indebted citizens enrolled in statutory health insurance in Germany. Stakeholders in social policy, research and health care need to address over-indebtedness to develop strategies to safeguard access to relevant medications, especially among those with high morbidity. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Arzneimittelkonsum, insbesondere Selbstmedikation bei überschuldeten Bürgerinnen und Bürgern in Nordrhein-Westfalen (ArSemü), (engl. 'Medication use, particularly self-medication among over-indebted citizens in North Rhine-Westphalia'), German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00013100. Date of registration: 23.10.2017. Date of enrolment of the first participant: 18.07.2017, retrospectively registered.

Prevalence and predictors of having no general practitioner - analysis of the German health interview and examination survey for adults (DEGS1).

BACKGROUND: Although patients in Germany are generally free to choose their primary healthcare provider, this role should mainly be assumed by general practitioners (GPs). While some predictors of the frequency of use of GP services have been reported in international studies, there is still a lack in knowledge what could deter people from contacting a GP in Germany. To improve healthcare, it is important to identify characteristics of people without a GP. METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis was based on the first wave of the "German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults" (DEGS1) conducted by the Robert Koch Institute in 2008-2011. Descriptive analyses and multiple logistic regression by gender were performed to analyze the association between having no GP and age, gender, residential area, socioeconomic status (SES), marital status, working hours per week, general state of health, chronic diseases and health insurance. RESULTS: Overall, 9.5% (95% confidence interval (CI): 8.4-10.7) of the 7755 participants stated to have no GP, more often men (11.4%) than women (7.6%). Life in urban areas (big cities vs. rural: adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.9, 95% CI: 2.1-3.9), younger age (18-29 years vs. 65-79 years: aOR: 4.4, 95% CI: 2.5-7.7) and the presence of chronic diseases (yes vs. no: aOR: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.3-0.6) showed significant associations of not having a GP. For men, the type of health insurance (private vs. statutory: aOR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.5-3.0; other vs. statutory: aOR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.4-3.1) and for women, SES (low vs. medium: aOR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.2-2.7; high vs. medium: aOR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.4-3.0) increased the risk of having no GP. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis offers new insights into the use of GPs in Germany and revealed differences between men and women. Public health strategies regarding access to a GP have to focus on men and on women with a low SES. Further analyses are needed to determine whether men with private health insurance prefer to consult a specialist rather than a GP. For young adults, improving the transition process from a pediatrician to a GP could fill a gap in health care.

Challenges in diagnosing dementia in patients with a migrant background - a cross-sectional study among German general practitioners.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosing dementia, a syndrome affecting 35.6 million people worldwide, can be challenging, especially in patients with a migrant background. Language barriers and language-based diagnostic tools, cultural differences in the perception of the syndrome as well as restricted access to healthcare can influence medical care. For the first time in Germany, this study investigates whether German general practitioners (GPs) feel prepared to meet the diagnostic needs of these patient groups and whether there are challenges and support needs. METHODS: A cross-sectional study among a random sample of 982 general practitioners in Germany was conducted from October 2017 to January 2018 (response rate: 34.5%). A self-developed, written, standardised questionnaire was used. Descriptive statistics as well as multiple logistic regression analyses were performed using data of 326 GPs. RESULTS: Ninety-six percent of GPs reported having experienced barriers at least once. Uncertainties in diagnosing dementia in patients with a migrant background were indicated by 70.9%. There was no significant association between uncertainties in diagnosing dementia and GPs' sociodemographic characteristics. The most frequently reported barriers were language barriers that affected or prevented diagnostics (89.3%) and information deficits in patients with a migrant background (59.2%). Shameful interaction or lack of acceptance of the syndrome was also common (55.5%). A demand for more information about the topic was expressed by 70.6% of GPs. CONCLUSIONS: Public health measures supporting GPs in their interaction with patients with a migrant background as well as information and services for dementia patients are needed. Efforts to facilitate access to interpreting services and to focus on people with a migrant background in healthcare are necessary. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00012503 , date of registration: 05/09/2017 (German Institute of Medical Documentation and Information. German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) 2017). Clinical register of the study coordination office of the University hospital of Bonn: ID530, date of registration: 05/09/2017 (Universitätsklinikum Bonn. Studienzentrum. UKB-Studienregister 2017).

[Urgent Visits to Nursing Homes: A General Practitioner's Perspective]. / Dringende Hausbesuche in Altenheimen ­ ein Status Quo aus hausärztlicher Sicht.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Due to demographic changes, home visits to nursing care facilities are increasing. Urgent home visits represent a challenge for general practitioners. There are no recommendations for the implementation of urgent home visits. Therefore, in this study, we investigated how GP practices deal with urgent home visits and what improvements can be made to the medical emergency care. METHODS: A total of 15 teaching doctors of the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Bonn were interviewed using semi-structured interviews on the subject. We evaluated the interviews with the qualitative content analysis according to Mayring. RESULTS: Urgent house visits were requested by telephone or fax. The home visits were carried out usually after the consultation hours during the lunch break of the doctors. General practitioners consider forwarding the request for a house visit to the rescue service as an absolute exception. At the nursing home, there were waiting times until the responsible nursing staff could do a joint emergency visit. In addition, there were clear differences in the qualifications of nurses and in dealing with emergencies. The physicians therefore saw improvements in their ability to provide further training to the nursing staff, to preventive house visits, and to assess the urgency of home visits. CONCLUSION: To improve emergency care in elderly homes, the suggestions for improvement proposed by the family doctors should be tested in controlled studies. In addition, the cooperation between general practitioners and nursing homes could be strengthened by joint training in geriatric emergency care.

[Outpatient Emergency Care for Nursing Home Residents: A Status Quo From a Nursing Perspective]. / Ambulante Notfallversorgung von Pflegeheimbewohner: Ein Status Quo aus pflegerischer Sicht.

AIM OF THE STUDY: At present about 2 million people need care in Germany, about one third of them live in old people's homes or nursing homes. Outpatient emergency care of nursing home residents is ensured by primary care physicians, the medical emergency service and the emergency services. Emergency care has rarely been examined from the perspective of nurses. Therefore, in our study, we investigated how the nurses perceive medical care in medical emergencies and what suggestions for improvements they have. METHODS: In 2015/16, guided interviews with a total of 13 females and one male elderly care nurses in northern Rhineland-Palatinate were conducted. The interviews were digitally recorded and literally transcribed. Evaluation was performed using the qualitative content analysis Mayring with MAXQDA® 12. RESULTS: In the case of an acute deterioration in the general condition of a resident, the family doctor in charge was first called in. It was difficult for the nursing staff to contact the physician in charge during consultation hours. The quality of the emergency care was dependent on the respective practice structure. Outside the opening hours of the surgery, the emergency medical service took over care of the patients. These doctors did not know the patients, which, from the point of view of the nursing care, was a burden for the residents since they had to face new doctors. Emergency physicians have long access routes, which led to delays, even in emergencies. Some nurses wanted the "old system" back, where the home care physicians were also available over the weekend by telephone. Overall, the request was a better care of residents. CONCLUSION: GPs are the main contact persons for medical emergencies for the nursing staff. However, most physicians are only available during office hours. From the point of view of care, it would make sense to create incentives for the general practitioners to be available for emergencies even outside their consulting hours.

[Advance Directives in Family Practices: Results of a Survey of GP Patients on their Care Situation]. / Patientenverfügungen in Hausarztpraxen ­ Ergebnisse einer Befragung von Hausarztpatienten zur ihrer Versorgungssituation.

BACKGROUND: Advance directives (AD) are an important tool for documentation of patients' wishes and are therefore recommended to the elderly as well as patients with chronic diseases. However, there is no standardized procedure in Germany and no guideline for counseling patients who wish to write an AD with or without health care proxy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the care situation concerning the ADs and the role of the primary care physician in drafting the document METHOD: We conducted semi-structured interviews with patients in primary care in North Rhine-Westphalia using a cross-sectional study design. RESULT: Most of the 154 patients who were interviewed (average age: 58 years; 52% female) suffered from chronic diseases (79%), and about one-third (32%) already had an AD. Fear of "loss of autonomy" was the main reason for preparing an AD. Patients without AD were generally not opposed to the concept and named procrastination (43%) as the main reason for not having prepared one. The chance for preparing an AD increased by the factor 1.08 per life-year (Odds ratio (OR): 1.08; CI: 1.04-1.11). Patients with AD mostly got advice via the internet (22%), their primary care physicians (12%) and relatives (12%). Most patients were satisfied with their AD. CONCLUSION: The majority of primary care patients do not make use of ADs. The primary care physicians play an important role in counseling and should motivate patients to complete ADs. Here, the establishment of quality standards would be desirable in the future.

[The postmortem examination and death certificate by the general practitioner: problems with certification on site]. / Leichenschau und Todesbescheinigung durch den Hausarzt: Probleme beim Bescheinigen vor Ort.

Family doctors are the most competent persons for the postmortem examination due to their knowledge of the patient, previous history, and the circumstances of death. The postmortem examination is a medical activity with specific requirements for the physician that require special training. The situation on site enables the physician to gather important information about the circumstances of death. However, a local postmortem examination is also carried out under difficult conditions, without personal or professional support and in an environment that knows neither the meaning nor the procedure of a postmortem examination. Differences in the understanding of the terms unnatural or unclarified death type lead to conflicts between physicians and the surrounding field of the deceased.

Barriers in general practitioners' dementia diagnostics among people with a migration background in Germany (BaDeMi) - study protocol for a cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Considering the targeted general practitioner-centred healthcare in Germany, general practitioners (GPs) are in the best possible position to increase awareness of all sorts of dementia, an age-related syndrome with rising relevance in the future. In Germany, a doubling of the number of cases from 1.55 million up to 3 million in 2050 is predicted. Diagnostics can be challenging, especially among patients with a migration background. Complicating factors include: Language-based diagnostic tools, cultural differences in handling the syndrome and its underlying diseases as well as a differing use of the healthcare system. Because of missing research in this field in Germany, the type, frequency and intensity of barriers as well as the way GPs cope with them is unknown. That is why it's crucial to focus research on diagnostics in total and especially among this population group. METHODS: A cross-sectional study among a random sample of 1000 general practitioners in Germany is conducted in October 2017. A self-administered standardized questionnaire was developed, evaluated and send to the GP practices. A response rate of 30% is expected with one reminder letter. Descriptive statistics as well as, depending on the results, multivariable analyses will be executed. Based on these results and the stated needs, a cluster-randomized intervention study will be constructed to improve healthcare. DISCUSSION: This study is the first in Germany focusing on how dementia diagnostics in general practice is performed, what problems occur, especially because of a migration background of patients, and how GPs cope with them. Depending on the results, it should emphasize the necessity of dementia diagnostics to be adjusted to the needs of the rising amount of people with a migration background (22.5% in Germany, 2016) like concluded from international studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00012503 , date of registration: 05.09.2017. Clinical register of the study coordination office of the University hospital of Bonn: ID530 , date of registration: 05.09.2017.

Hyperuricemia and dementia - a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence that uric acid may have antioxidant and neuroprotective effects and might therefore alter the risk for neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia. So far, the relation between serum uric acid (SUA) levels or hyperuricemia and dementia remains elusive. Most studies focused on the disease or SUA levels. Effects of anti-hyperuricemic treatment have not been considered yet. This study investigated the association between hyperuricemia and dementia taking into account anti-hyperuricemic treatment. METHODS: We used longitudinal German public health insurance data and analyzed the association between hyperuricemia with and without different treatment options and dementia in a case-control design. Applying logistic regression the analysis was adjusted for several potential confounders including various comorbidities and polypharmacy. RESULTS: We identified 27,528 cases and 110,112 matched controls of which 22% had a diagnosis of hyperuricemia or gout and 17% received anti-hyperuricemic drugs. For patients with a diagnosis of hyperuricemia we found a slightly reduced risk for dementia (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.89 to 0.98). The risk reduction was more pronounced for patients treated with anti-hyperuricemic drugs (adjusted OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.85 to 0.94, for regular treatment). CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed a slight reduction for dementia risk in patients with hyperuricemia, both with and without anti-hyperuricemic treatment.