[Changes in the routine work and moral distress in psychiatric care during the COVID-19 pandemic : A survey among physicians active in inpatient care in Germany]. / Änderungen des Arbeitsalltags und Moral Distress in der psychiatrischen Versorgung während der COVID-19-Pandemie : Eine Umfrage unter stationär tätigen Ärzt*innen in Deutschland.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic a number of ethical challenges have arisen in the healthcare system. A psychological response to moral challenges is termed moral distress (MD). OBJECTIVE: Identification of causes of MD in inpatient psychiatric care in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A survey was conducted using a self-administered non-validated online questionnaire as part of a cross-sectional study, in which 26 items about the experience of MD were examined and open questions about the handling of the pandemic and its effects on everyday work were posed. Physicians who worked in inpatient psychiatric care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany were surveyed anonymously with a convenience sample. The data acquisition took place between 17 November 2020 and 6 May 2021. RESULTS: A total of 141 participants were included. They indicated multiple pandemic-related changes in their daily work partly resulting in MD. CONCLUSION: MD is a neglected potential burden of inpatient psychiatric care under pandemic conditions (and beyond), which requires further research and an adequate handling. These results include implications for decision makers in crisis teams as well as a need for support services such as clinical ethics consultation services.

[Moral distress in medical students and young professionals: research desiderata in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic]. / Moralischer Stress bei Medizinstudierenden und ärztlichen Berufseinsteigenden: Forschungsdesiderate im Rahmen der COVID-19-Pandemie.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic poses particular challenges for people working in the medical sector. Some of the medical students and young medical professionals who are starting their work in healthcare facilities during this time are confronted with extraordinary moral challenges. A portion of them does not yet have sufficient coping skills to adequately deal with these challenges. This can lead to so-called moral distress (MoD). Permanent or intensive exposure to MoD can have serious consequences. Appropriate support services have the potential to improve the handling of MoD. OBJECTIVE: This article aims to provide an overview of the current state of research on MoD among medical students and young medical professionals in order to sensitize lecturers with responsibility for education and training and doctors in leading positions to the problem. MAIN PART: This article presents the scientific concept of MoD, known triggers, and options for prevention and intervention. The topic is presented with reference to the changes in patient care in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and research needs are presented. CONCLUSION: The article illustrates the necessity of a German-language, interdisciplinary discourse on MoD among medical students and young professionals.

Experience in Rehabilitation Medicine Affects Prognosis and End-of-Life Decision-Making of Neurologists: A Case-Based Survey.

BACKGROUND: Outcome predictions in patients with acute severe neurologic disorders are difficult and influenced by multiple factors. Since the decision for and the extent of life-sustaining therapies are based on the estimated prognosis, it is vital to understand which factors influence such estimates. This study examined whether previous professional experience with rehabilitation medicine influences physician decision-making. METHODS: A case vignette presenting a typical patient with an extensive brain stem infarction was developed and distributed online to clinical neurologists. Questions focused on prognosis, interpretation of an advanced directive, whether to withdraw life-sustaining treatments and information on prior rehabilitation experience from the survey respondent. RESULTS: Of the participating neurologists, 77% opted for the withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies (n = 70; response rate: 14.8%). This decision was not affected by age, gender, or length of clinical experience. Neurologists with experience in rehabilitation medicine tended to estimate a more positive prognosis than neurologists without, but this result was not significant (p = .13). There was an association between the intervention chosen and previous experience in rehabilitation; neurologists with experience in rehabilitation medicine opted significantly more often (31.8%) for continuing life-sustaining treatments than neurologists without such experience (8.7%, p = .04). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that there are subjective factors influencing decisions to limit life-sustaining treatments that are based on previous professional experience. This finding emphasizes the variability and cognitive bias of such decision processes and should be integrated into future guidelines for specialist training on end-of-life decision-making.

Course of Preexisting Migraine Following Spontaneous Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

Background: Our objective was to observe the course of preexisting migraine following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in patients with and without craniotomy. Methods: We designed an exploratory analysis and hypothesis-generating study of prospectively collected data starting by recruiting patients suffering from SAH with the Hunt and Hess scale score of ≤ 4. Out of 994 cases, we identified 46 patients with preexisting active migraine defined by at least four attacks in the year before SAH. According to the treatment, we subdivided the patients into two groups: the first group included patients with surgical aneurysm clipping with transection of the middle meningeal artery (MMA) and accompanying trigeminal nerve branches and the second group included patients with endovascular aneurysm coiling or without any interventional treatment. During the follow-up, we recorded the course of migraine frequency, duration, intensity, and character. Results: For both groups (craniotomy n = 31, without craniotomy n = 15), a significant improvement regarding the preexisting migraine during a mean follow-up of 46 months (min. 12 months, max. 114 months) was seen regarding complete remission or at least >50% reduction in migraine attacks (p < 0.001 and p = 0.01). On comparing the groups, this effect was significantly more pronounced in patients with craniotomy (for no recurrence of migraine: p = 0.049). After craniotomy, 77.4% of the patients had no further attacks of migraine headache and 19.4% showed a reduction of >50% while only 2.2% did not report any relevant change. In the non-surgical group, 46.7% had no further migraine attacks, 20% had a reduction of >50%, while no change was noted in 33.3%. Conclusions: Our study provides evidence that the dura mater might be related to migraine headaches and that transection of the MMA and accompanying trigeminal dural nerve branches might disrupt the pathway leading to a reduction of migraine attacks. However, coiling alone ameliorated migraine complaints.

Parkinson's patients situation during the SARS CoV-2 pandemic and their interest in telemedicine A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: During the SARS CoV-2 pandemic, telemedicine experienced an enormous boom. Also, for Parkinson's patients there are upcoming alternatives to regular care. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to interview Parkinson's patients under the impression of the first lockdown in Germany about their health care situation, but especially about the use of and attitudes towards videotherapy and -consultation. METHODS: Northern German members of the German Parkinson Association were mailed a 16-item questionnaire including demographic questions on a one-time basis. The voluntary participants answered regarding their health care situation during the first German SARS CoV-2 lockdown, as well as attitudes towards videotherapy/-consultations. RESULTS: The 332 (of 974 questionnaires) responding evaluated their care situation predominantly (58.7%) unchanged during lockdown. There was hardly any previous experience in the areas of videotherapy and -consultations (15.4% and 3%, respectively), but at the same time mostly imaginability of implementation (54.2% and 56%, respectively) and the belief that they could motivate themselves to do so (51.8%). A total of 69% welcomed technical support for the implementation of videotherapy. CONCLUSION: In principle, there seems to be both, a need and an interest in telematics in healthcare such as videotherapy and video consultations, even if further barriers such as technical implementation need to be addressed. An expansion of telemedical services and infrastructure seems desirable not only in the pandemic situation, but also in the long term against the backdrop of demographic change, especially in an area like Schleswig-Holstein. Further studies are needed.

Moral distress among residents in neurology: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Medical progress, economization of healthcare systems, and scarcity of resources raise fundamental ethical issues. Physicians are exposed to increasing moral conflict situations, which may cause Moral Distress (MD). MD occurs when someone thinks he or she might know the morally correct action but cannot act upon this knowledge because of in- or external constraints. Correlations of MD among residents to job changes and burn-out have been shown previously. There are, however, hardly any quantitative studies about MD among physicians in Germany. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of occurrence, the level of disturbance, and reasons for MD among neurological residents in German hospitals. METHODS: 1st qualitative phase: Open interviews on workload and ethical conflicts in everyday clinical practice were conducted with five neurological residents. Ethical principles of medical action and potential constraints that could cause MD were identified and a questionnaire designed. 2nd quantitative phase: A preliminary questionnaire was tested and evaluated by five further neurological residents. The final questionnaire consisted of 12 items and was conducted online and anonymously via e-mail or on-site as part of an unrelated resident training event at 56 sites. RESULTS: One hundred seven neurological residents from 56 university/acute care and rehabilitation hospitals throughout Germany were examined (response rate of those requesting the questionnaire: 75.1%). 96.3% of the participants had experienced MD weekly (3.86, SD 1.02), because they were unable to invest the necessary time in a patient or relative consultation. Errors in medical care, which could not be communicated adequately with patients or relatives, were rated as most distressing. The most common reasons for MD were the growing numbers of patients, expectations of patient relatives, fears of legal consequences, incentives of the DRG-system, and the increasing bureaucratization requirement. 43.0% of participants mentioned they considered leaving the field of inpatient-care. 65.4% stated they would like more support in conflict situations. CONCLUSION: MD plays an important role for neurological residents in German hospitals and has an impact on participants' consideration of changing the workplace. Important aspects are rationing (time/beds) and incentives for overdiagnosis as well as lack of internal communication culture and mentoring.