[Realtime video consultations by psychotherapists in times of the COVID-19 pandemic]

The Use of Telemedicine in an Interdisciplinary Pain Center in the Years 2020 and 2021 in Germany: Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction: COVID-19 changed the management of patients with chronic pain. The increased utilization of telemedicine was recommended as a solution. Telemedicine provides medical services by overcoming the geographical distance between practitioner and patient and makes it possible to continue treating the patients with a high level of safety for patients and staff. The aim of our study is to investigate the data on the use of telemedicine in an interdisciplinary pain center in the years 2020 and 2021. Methods: Every patient contact in 2020 and 2021 with the interdisciplinary pain center was registered. Dataset consists of 4,156 patient contacts (N = 1,996 in the year 2020; N = 2,160 in the year 2021). For each patient contact, we collected data on age, sex, place of residence, and the reason or type of the contact. In addition, the incidence rates were used as a data source for the COVID-19 development. Results: In 2020, there was a significant decrease in face-to-face contacts (85.0% to 59.4%) and a significant increase in telemedicine use (especially video calls 0.6% to 20.0%). The use of telemedicine had a temporary peak at the beginning of 2021 (first quarter of 2021: 41.2%). The trend generally reversed during 2021: face-to-face contacts increased again (25.5% to 58.9%) and telemedicine decreased (mainly video calls 41.2% to 25.9%). Conclusion: The results show that telemedicine was successfully implemented in an interdisciplinary pain center during 2020 and 2021. In addition to the software requirements and the data protection, the aspect of digital literacy appears to be relevant. There seems to be a need for an implementation plan in pain centers that includes guidelines for the use of telemedicine.

[Video-Based Online Metta-Meditation Therapy for Depression: A Pilot Trial Evaluating the Acceptability and Feasibility]

Background

In the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, it has become clear what relevance non-contact psychotherapeutic online interventions in mental health care could possibly have in the future. The present pilot study aims to test whether a Metta-based group program is also an acceptable and feasible treatment when conducted as video-based intervention. Metta meditations aim at showing unconditional benevolence and kindness to oneself and to other people.

Methods

Eight patients with depressive disorder participated in a video-based implementation of the Metta-based group program. Quality of the therapeutic relationship, the implementation of methods as well as the acceptance of the video-based therapy on the part of the participants were surveyed as target variables.

Results

Data indicated good feasibility in terms of a sustainable therapeutic relationship, the possibility of teaching meditation techniques, and the establishment of a concentrated working atmosphere. Videobased therapy met with good acceptance among the participants. Potential indications for its clinical effectiveness are evident.

Conclusion

Teaching Metta meditation in a group program for the treatment of depression can be practicably implemented in a video-based therapy and meets with good acceptance by the patients. Further studies on moderators of acceptance and efficacy of video-based therapy are needed.

Video Consultations and Their Utilization by Orthopedic and Trauma Surgeons During the COVID-19 Pandemic. A Go-To Technology in the Future or Just a Stopgap?

BACKGROUND

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the contact restrictions imposed for protection against infection have limited the options for direct medical therapy. Considering this, the present study aimed to evaluate the utility of the rarely used online video consultation as an alternative treatment form for orthopedic and trauma surgeons and analyze its potential for future use.

METHODS

During calendar week 24 in the year 2020, 215 specialists in orthopedics and orthopedics and trauma surgery in the city and greater region of Hanover, Germany, were enrolled in a questionnaire-based evaluation of their use of video consultations. The analysis consisted of 125 completed questionnaires, which corresponded to a return rate of 58.1%. The completed questionnaires recorded the number of users, frequency of utilization, and advantages and disadvantages of online treatment, as well as provided an assessment of the future use of telemedicine and video consultations. Furthermore, we considered the necessary requirements for using video consultations and for continuing their use in the future as well as the potential of performing online consultations given that all pertinent conditions are fulfilled.

RESULTS

Among the 125 respondents, only 17 (13.6%) had already experienced video consultations, all starting during the COVID-19 pandemic, but with very low frequencies (maximum of one-three times per week). Despite the limitations, the advantages included helping patients receive the required treatments and reducing the need for travel. However, the respondents mentioned that there were several disadvantages due to diagnostic limitations: there was no direct examination, primary consultations were restricted, and possibilities of consultations and explanations were reduced. Of the 108 (86.4%) respondents who had not experienced video consultations, only 9 (8.3%) had specifically planned to conduct online consultation, whereas 57 (52.8%) had no such intention in the foreseeable future and 42 (38.9%) were undecided on this point. They stated diagnostic limitations because of the lack of direct examination (44/77.2%) and the indispensable personal contact with the patient (30/52.6%) as main counter-arguments. According to all the respondents, the main requirements for the implementation of video consultations included establishment of proper technology (81.6%), adequate remuneration (61.6%), legal certainty (58.4%), fast and unbureaucratic support for installation and in case of problems (51.2%), and a manageable bureaucracy during the initial period (44.8%).

CONCLUSION

Video consultations and telemedicine in general undoubtedly have advantages, primarily concerning the protection from infection and contact restrictions, which are increasingly requested by patients. However, the collected data indicate that this approach may remain less important than personal consultations in the field of orthopedics and trauma surgery. As suggested by available data, this does not apply to other fields such as psychotherapy or general medicine.

Telemental Health Use in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review and Evidence Gap Mapping

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted telemedicine use for mental illness (telemental health). Objective: In the scoping review, we describe the scope and domains of telemental health during the COVID-19 pandemic from the published literature and discuss associated challenges. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, and the World Health Organization's Global COVID-19 Database were searched up to August 23, 2020 with no restrictions on study design, language, or geographical, following an a priori protocol (https://osf.io/4dxms/). Data were synthesized using descriptive statistics from the peer-reviewed literature and the National Quality Forum's (NQF) framework for telemental health. Sentiment analysis was also used to gauge patient and healthcare provider opinion toward telemental health. Results: After screening, we identified 196 articles, predominantly from high-income countries (36.22%). Most articles were classified as commentaries (51.53%) and discussed telemental health from a management standpoint (86.22%). Conditions commonly treated with telemental health were depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. Where data were available, most articles described telemental health in a home-based setting (use of telemental health at home by patients). Overall sentiment was neutral-to-positive for the individual domains of the NQF framework. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that there was a marked growth in the uptake of telemental health during the pandemic and that telemental health is effective, safe, and will remain in use for the foreseeable future. However, more needs to be done to better understand these findings. Greater investment into human and financial resources, and research should be made by governments, global funding agencies, academia, and other stakeholders, especially in low- and middle- income countries. Uniform guidelines for licensing and credentialing, payment and insurance, and standards of care need to be developed to ensure safe and optimal telemental health delivery. Telemental health education should be incorporated into health professions curricula globally. With rapidly advancing technology and increasing acceptance of interactive online platforms amongst patients and healthcare providers, telemental health can provide sustainable mental healthcare across patient populations. Systematic Review Registration: https://osf.io/4dxms/.

[Online psychotherapy in times of coronavirus disease 2019]

Theoretical background

As a reaction to the coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, in individual settings psychotherapy could be conducted online to an unlimited extent in Germany. The attitudes and experiences of psychotherapists with respect to online therapy (OT) have so far been generally poorly studied and particularly with a view to the situation during the pandemic.

Objective

The aim of the study was to examine 1) the frequency of utilization of OT during the first lockdown, 2) the satisfaction with OT versus face-to-face therapy and 3) the technology acceptance experience overall and with respect to the guideline procedures.

Material and methods

German psychotherapists licensed and in training, cognitive-behavioral (CB 45.6%), analytic (AP 14%), depth-psychological (DP 34.5%), systemic (SYS 5.8%), were invited to participate in an online survey on demographic and therapeutic data, use of OT, satisfaction with OT vs. face-to-face therapy (Zufriedenheitsfragebogen für Therapeuten, ZUF-THERA) and technology acceptance (Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 Questionnaire, UTAUT).

Results

The 174 participating psychotherapists (mean age = 44.73 years, SD ± 12.79; female 81.6%) reported that the average proportion of OT in the total therapeutic activity during the lockdown was 43.09%, with significant differences between guideline procedures (DP, CB > AP). The satisfaction with OT proved to be significantly lower than with face-to-face therapy and did not differ between the procedures. Prior experience with OT was reported by 23.6% of therapists overall and was higher among those working systemically compared to CB or AP therapists. Therapists working in CB experienced more enjoyment with OT than those working in DP and AP as well as perceived a stronger social influence (e.g. through colleagues) in the use of OT than therapists working in DP.

Conclusion

The frequency of use of OT soared during the first lockdown (March-May 2020, 43% in comparison to the former limit covered by health insurances of 20%). In principle, therapists were highly satisfied with OT but significantly lower than with face-to-face therapy. Further studies analyzing the reasons for this in detail are urgently recommended.

[Outpatient care of oncological patients in palliative treatment situations and their relatives during the COVID-19 pandemic]

BACKGROUND

During the current pandemic situation, the public health care system must ensure the ongoing provision of regular medical care as well as the treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infected patients. Resident oncologists and their practices are equally affected.

OBJECTIVES

The study examines resident oncologists' challenges, experiences and approaches in the delivery of care for oncological patients receiving palliative treatment and their relatives during the pandemic. Findings will support future pandemic preparedness for cancer treatment in outpatients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Content analyses of 13 guideline-based telephone interviews with resident oncologists.

RESULTS

Solid local networks, staff and structural rearrangements and infection control within offices helped oncologists maintaining quality of care. Required treatments have been continued. The interrupted information flow towards patients' relatives and catching up on previously postponed primary, control or follow-up consultations have been reported as a challenge. Other issues have been linked to suspected SARS-CoV‑2 infection in patients and staff. The lack of information, temporal inaccessibility of health care authorities and physicians' associations, and additional costs for infection control material caused further problems.

CONCLUSIONS

Due to the firmly implemented infection control and the re-organisation of facilities and staff, oncologists have been able to maintain treatment and care for cancer patients and their relatives. Hygiene procedures proved to work well and might be re-activated. An increased use of digital applications for treatment monitoring might be considered. Furthermore, solutions to meet additional financial and personnel demands caused by infection control must be identified. The design of suitable concepts for the prevention of health-related hazards due to visiting bans for relatives and therapeutic staff such as physio- and occupational therapists is inevitable.

[Use of outpatient psychotherapy via video consultation]

Hintergrund

Aufgrund der Hygienemaßnahmen während der Coronapandemie Anfang 2020 war Präsenzpsychotherapie vielerorts in Deutschland nicht mehr oder nur eingeschränkt möglich. Psychotherapie via Videokonferenz trat als alternative Versorgungsmöglichkeit an diese Stelle.

Fragestellung

Die vorliegende Studie beschäftigt sich mit der Frage der tatsächlichen Nutzung dieser Art von Psychotherapie während des Lockdowns.

Material und Methode

Durch Befragung von Behandlern in der psychotherapeutischen Ausbildungsambulanz der Medizinischen Hochschule Hannover bezüglich ihrer Erfahrung sowie Erfahrung ihrer Patienten mit der Nutzung der Videosprechstunde während laufender Richtlinienpsychotherapie konnten Daten von 338 Patienten erhoben werden. Die Daten enthalten Angaben u. a. zur Annahme oder zur Ablehnung des Angebots der Videosprechstunde, zu Gründen der Ablehnung oder zu technischen Problemen bei der Durchführung.

Ergebnisse

Die präsentierten Daten zeigen, dass 35 % der Patienten von der Videosprechstunde nicht erreicht werden konnten. Circa die Hälfte der Patienten aus dieser Gruppe konnte aufgrund mangelnder technischer Ausstattung diese Therapieform nicht nutzen. Die andere Hälfte wünschte keine Therapie mithilfe der Videosprechstunde, obwohl die technischen Voraussetzungen dazu vorhanden waren. In der Gruppe der Nutzer der Videosprechstunde wurden in 31 % der Fälle die Sitzungen durch technische Störungen beeinträchtigt, und in weiteren 10 % der Fälle führten die Störungen sogar zur vorzeitigen Beendigung der Sitzung. Die vorgestellten Daten machen deutlich, dass mit steigendem Alter und sinkendem Bildungsniveau die Nutzung der Therapie über Videosprechstunde signifikant abnimmt.

Schlussfolgerung

Die Ergebnisse der vorliegenden Studie zeigen, dass trotz der Verbreitung der Videosprechstunde ein beträchtlicher Anteil der Patienten durch das Angebot nicht erreicht wird und somit im Fall weiterer Lockdowns Spezialangebote für diese Gruppe erwogen werden sollten. Die Autoren empfehlen Unterstützung durch Krankenkassen für Patienten, die über keine technischen Voraussetzungen verfügen. Patienten, die sich auf diese Form der Behandlung nicht einlassen wollten, brauchen therapeutisch motivierende Unterstützung.

Zusatzmaterial online

Die Online-Version dieses Beitrags (10.1007/s00278-021-00497-3) enthält folgendes Zusatzmaterial: Fragebogen zur Nutzung der Videosprechstunde in der ambulanten Psychotherapie. Beitrag und Zusatzmaterial stehen Ihnen auf www.springermedizin.de zur Verfügung. Bitte geben Sie dort den Beitragstitel in die Suche ein, das Zusatzmaterial finden Sie beim Beitrag unter „Ergänzende Inhalte“.

Interaktive Gesundheitskompetenz, soziodemografische Faktoren und der Zeitraum bis zur Inanspruchnahme psychotherapeutischer oder medikamentöser Behandlung – gibt es Hinweise auf soziale Ungleichheiten in der Therapie der Sozialen Angststörung?

Ziel Ziel ist die Untersuchung des Zusammenhangs zwischen soziodemografischen Merkmalen sowie der interaktiven Gesundheitskompetenz und dem Zeitraum zwischen der Behandlungsentscheidung und der Inanspruchnahme einer Therapie der Sozialen Angststörung.

Methodik Hierzu wurde eine Online-Befragung von N = 311 Personen mit Sozialer Angststörung durchgeführt (Responserate 54,1 %). Neben deskriptiven statistischen Verfahren wurde eine logistische Regressionsanalyse durchgeführt.

Ergebnisse Die Befragten sind durchschnittlich 46 Jahre alt (20–81), 59 % sind Frauen. Höheres Alter (OR 2,579), nicht in Partnerschaft lebend (OR 1,963), Angst vor persönlichen Kontakten (OR 5,716) und geringe (OR 3,585) bzw. mäßige (OR 3,144) interaktive Gesundheitskompetenz sind signifikant mit der Wartezeit auf eine Behandlung assoziiert.

Schlussfolgerung Die Ergebnisse können als Hinweise auf soziale Ungleichheiten in Bezug auf die Inanspruchnahme einer Therapie bei Personen mit sozialer Angststörung gedeutet werden.