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Herchenröder M, Goetz K, Stamer T, Klee M, Steinhäuser J. Physicians' experiences with indications and prescriptions of foot orthoses-A cross-sectional study in northern Germany. Heliyon 2024; 10:e33584. [PMID: 39035521 PMCID: PMC11259866 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Foot orthoses (FOs) are prescribed by general practitioners (GPs) and orthopedic surgeons for various complaints. As there are very limited medical guidelines and checklists, the prescription of FOs is often inconsistent. Therefore, our study to evaluate the general prescription behavior and indication experiences with FOs from the perspective of GPs and orthopedists. Methods A survey was carried out using a questionnaire from October to December 2021. GPs and orthopedic surgeons in northern Germany were included. The focus of the survey was to examine which foot problems would lead GPs and orthopedic surgeons to prescribe FOs and to evaluate what factors these physicians included in their diagnostic analysis. Apart from descriptive analyses, a stepwise linear regression analysis was performed to explore potential associations of the primary outcome variable 'specific effect on the prescription of FOs', which was introduced to shed light upon the estimated added value of the prescription of FOs. Results Out of the 790 questionnaires distributed, 184 questionnaires were returned by GPs (n = 95) and orthopedic surgeons (n = 74) (response rate 23 %). FOs were most frequently prescribed for talipes valgus (96 %) and heel spur (54 %). Diagnostic analysis was mainly carried out clinically. Custom-made FOs (82 %) were prescribed more frequently than prefabricated FOs (6 %). Regular interaction within the prescription process was most commonly with orthopedic technicians (61 %). The estimation of the specific effect on FO prescription was assessed by a mean of 66 % of the participants, 82 % recommended self-exercises as an additional therapy. Conclusions FOs are a specific and well-established aid prescribed by many GPs and orthopedic surgeons for a variety of foot complaints. Despite being one of the most frequently prescribed orthopedic devices, the utilization of FOs is predominantly explorative due to a growing but nevertheless still deficient body of well-researched evidence. There is a clear need for a uniform approach to the indication and prescription of FOs among physicians.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tjorven Stamer
- Institute of Family Medicine, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Malte Klee
- Institute of Family Medicine, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Jost Steinhäuser
- Institute of Family Medicine, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Germany
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Sekanina U, Tetzlaff B, Mazur A, Huckle T, Kühn A, Dano R, Höckelmann C, Scherer M, Balzer K, Köpke S, Hummers E, Müller C. Interprofessional collaboration in the home care setting: perspectives of people receiving home care, relatives, nurses, general practitioners, and therapists-results of a qualitative analysis. BMC PRIMARY CARE 2024; 25:79. [PMID: 38438843 PMCID: PMC10910757 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-024-02313-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND About one million people in need of home care in Germany are assisted by 15,400 home care services. Home healthcare is mostly a complex endeavour because interprofessional collaboration is often challenging. This might negatively impact patient safety. The project interprof HOME aims to develop an interprofessional person-centred care concept for people receiving home care in a multistep approach. In one of the work packages we explored how people receiving home care, relatives, nurses, general practitioners, and therapists (physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists) perceive collaboration in this setting. METHODS Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 people receiving home care and with 21 relatives. Additionally, we worked with nine monoprofessional focus groups involving nurses of home care services (n = 17), general practitioners (n = 14), and therapists (n = 21). The data were analysed by content analysis. RESULTS Three main categories evolved: "perception of interprofessional collaboration", "means of communication", and "barriers and facilitators". People receiving home care and relatives often perceive little to no interprofessional collaboration and take over a significant part of the organisational coordination and information exchange. Interprofessional collaboration in steady care situations does exist at times and mostly occurs in coordination tasks. Contact and information exchange are rare, however, interprofessional personal encounters are sporadic, and fixed agreements and permanent contact persons are not standard. These trends increase with the complexity of the healthcare situation. Joint collaborations are often perceived as highly beneficial. Means of communications such as telephone, fax, or e-mail are used differently and are often considered tedious and time-consuming. No interprofessional formal written or electronic documentation system exists. Personal acquaintance and mutual trust are perceived as being beneficial, while a lack of mutual availability, limited time, and inadequate compensation hinder interprofessional collaboration. CONCLUSIONS Interprofessional collaboration in home care occurs irregularly, and coordination often remains with people receiving home care or relatives. While this individual care set-up may work sufficiently well in low complex care situations, it becomes vulnerable to disruptions with increasing complexity. Close interactions, joint collaboration, and fixed means of communication might improve healthcare at home. The findings were integrated into the development of the person-centred interprofessional care concept interprof HOME. TRIAL REGISTRATION This study is registered on the International Clinical Trails registry platform ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT05149937 on 03/11/2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uta Sekanina
- Department of General Practice, University Medical Center Goettingen, Humboldtallee 38, 37073, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Britta Tetzlaff
- Department of General Practice and Primary Care, University Medical Center Hamburg- Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ana Mazur
- Department of General Practice, University Medical Center Goettingen, Humboldtallee 38, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Tilman Huckle
- Nursing Research Unit, Institute for Social Medicine and Epidemiology, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Anja Kühn
- Nursing Research Unit, Institute for Social Medicine and Epidemiology, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Richard Dano
- Institute of Nursing Science, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, University Hospital Cologne, Gleueler Str. 176-178, 50935, Köln, Germany
| | - Carolin Höckelmann
- Institute of Nursing Science, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, University Hospital Cologne, Gleueler Str. 176-178, 50935, Köln, Germany
| | - Martin Scherer
- Department of General Practice and Primary Care, University Medical Center Hamburg- Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Katrin Balzer
- Nursing Research Unit, Institute for Social Medicine and Epidemiology, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Sascha Köpke
- Institute of Nursing Science, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, University Hospital Cologne, Gleueler Str. 176-178, 50935, Köln, Germany
| | - Eva Hummers
- Department of General Practice, University Medical Center Goettingen, Humboldtallee 38, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christiane Müller
- Department of General Practice, University Medical Center Goettingen, Humboldtallee 38, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
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Yailian AL, Estublier C, Fontana A, Vignot E, Confavreux C, Chapurlat R, de Fréminville H, Janoly-Dumenil A. Practices among General Practitioners in Rheumatoid Arthritis (GEPRA-I): results of a region-wide online survey. BMC PRIMARY CARE 2022; 23:144. [PMID: 35659194 PMCID: PMC9164358 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-022-01744-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background
To assess current practice regarding the management of rheumatoid arthritis patients among general practitioners of a French region, and their perception about the deployment of a multidisciplinary collaboration.
Methods
A cross-sectional online survey was sent to the general practitioners of a French region. The questionnaire comprised of 3 sections to collect data regarding 1/demographics, 2/practice and knowledge in rheumatoid arthritis, and 3/perception about the deployment of a multidisciplinary collaboration.
Results
1/A total of 247 general practitioners (M/F ratio: 1.4; mean age: 46.7 years) completed the survey. 2/More than half of general practitioners believed that their role was very or extremely important in disease diagnosis (72.5%), and management of comorbidities (67.2%). Among respondents, 6.1% considered that they did not face any difficulty concerning the patient management and 61.5% had already identified causes of non-adherence. 3/A total of 151 (61.1%) general practitioners were willing to participate in a multidisciplinary programme to improve medication adherence in rheumatoid arthritis.
Conclusions
General practitioners are motivated to contribute to an overall management of rheumatoid arthritis patients. Nevertheless, they need professional education about rheumatoid arthritis treatment and training in motivational interviews before getting involved in a multidisciplinary collaboration.
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Kuhlmann E, Bruns L, Hoeper K, Richter M, Witte T, Ernst D, Jablonka A. Work situation of rheumatologists and residents in times of COVID-19 : Findings from a survey in Germany. Z Rheumatol 2021; 82:331-341. [PMID: 34535820 PMCID: PMC8448391 DOI: 10.1007/s00393-021-01081-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Background and objective The work situation is an important dimension of professional life and wellbeing, and a policy lever to strengthen recruitment and retention. This study aims to explore the work situation of physicians and residents in internal medical rheumatology, considering the impact of the coronavirus pandemic COVID-19. Methods A questionnaire-based online survey was conducted in early 2021 at the Hannover Medical School, supported by the German Society of Rheumatology. Target groups were all rheumatology physicians and residents in Germany. The main areas of investigation included work hours, task delegation, and collaboration; workload and mental health issues; discrimination and sexual harassment experiences; and the impact of COVID-19. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed for the standardized items and qualitative content analysis for the free-text information. Results The respondents (n = 101) expressed positive attitudes towards cooperation and task delegation to medical assistants, especially those specialized in rheumatology, while attitudes towards cooperation with GPs pointed to blockades. There was a strong mismatch between actual and desired work hours both in the group of women and in the group of men. 81% rated their workload as high or very high; every sixth rheumatologist has suffered from stress or burnout syndromes at least once in the past. Experiences of gender discrimination and sexual harassment/violence were frequently reported, mostly by women. COVID-19 was an amplifier of stress, with major stressors being digitalization and increased demand for communication and patient education. Conclusion There is an urgent need to improve the work situation of rheumatologists and reduce stress and mental health risks. Supplementary Information The online version of this article (10.1007/s00393-021-01081-5) includes the survey questionnaire in German.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Kuhlmann
- Klinik für Rheumatologie und Immunologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, OE 6830, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Luzia Bruns
- Klinik für Rheumatologie und Immunologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, OE 6830, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kirsten Hoeper
- Klinik für Rheumatologie und Immunologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, OE 6830, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.,Regionales Kooperatives Rheumazentrum Niedersachsen e. V., Hannover , Germany
| | - Marianne Richter
- Klinik für Rheumatologie und Immunologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, OE 6830, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.,Regionales Kooperatives Rheumazentrum Niedersachsen e. V., Hannover , Germany
| | - Torsten Witte
- Klinik für Rheumatologie und Immunologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, OE 6830, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Diana Ernst
- Klinik für Rheumatologie und Immunologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, OE 6830, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Alexandra Jablonka
- Klinik für Rheumatologie und Immunologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, OE 6830, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
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