Abstracts by key term: life quality
HAROW is a study in the field of urological health services research and at the same time the largest study on localized prostate cancer (PCa) in Germany. The name is derived from the first letters of the treatment options applicable to PCa, hormone therapy, active surveillance, radiotherapy, surgery and watchful waiting. HAROW documents the course of the different therapy strategies under everyday conditions. It records medical progress data, information on communication between doctor and patient, side effects and therapy acceptance as well as the costs of treatment under everyday conditions. The special feature is that, for the first time in Germany, defensive strategies such as active surveillance and watchful waiting are included in the treatment comparison. The aim is to record the distribution across the different treatment arms, the resource consumption and benefits as well as the acceptance of the therapies under everyday conditions. The following article presents the concept and structure of the study and shares some of the results evaluated.
02.10.2012
A one-year pilot project commissioned by a German company health insurance company determined the medical, psychological and economic effects of telephone-based patient coaching. There was a lasting effect on the participants' quality of life and disease-specific risk factors. The hospitalization rate fell by over 60 % compared to the previous year of care. This resulted in a cost reduction in service expenditure in the inpatient area by 68 %, and the total costs per patient were reduced by 61 %. Through targeted information and motivation, patients are sustainably enabled to better self-manage their illness and to implement a health-promoting lifestyle. Patient coaching is a targeted instrument for achieving greater quality and efficiency in patient care.
01.04.2010
There are a variety of treatment options available to treat psoriasis vulgaris. The S3 guideline of the AWMF defines the current standard of treatment. As early as 2005, a Germany-wide study pointed to an undersupply of psoriasis vulgaris. A variety of treatment options are available to treat psoriasis vulgaris. The S3 guideline of the AWMF defines the current standard of treatment. As early as 2005, a Germany-wide study pointed to an undersupply. In the present Germany-wide cross-sectional study, the care situation of patients with psoriasis in Germany was examined in 2007. The following characteristics, among others, were recorded in 142 dermatological practices and clinics: a) Doctor questionnaire: previous therapies and illnesses, clinical characteristics, severity level (PASI), b) Patient questionnaire: quality of life, patient-relevant therapy benefits, satisfaction with care. Eight indicators of the quality of care were developed in an expert consensus. 11.6 % of the 2,009 patients had severe (PASI>20) and 27.4 % had moderate psoriasis (PASI 10-20). The mean PASI was 10.1. 32.2 % of the patients indicated a severely impaired quality of life (DLQI>10), the mean DLQI was 7.5. Almost half (47.3 %) of the patients had already received systemic therapy, among those with severe psoriasis 62.1 %. 20.1 % of the patients had been treated as inpatients in the previous year. On average, the patients were unable to work for 3.4 days per year due to their psoriasis. An improvement in the quality of care compared to 2005 could be seen in all eight indicators. In the present Germany-wide cross-sectional study, the care situation of patients with psoriasis in Germany was examined in 2007. The following characteristics, among others, were recorded in 142 dermatological practices and clinics: a) Doctor questionnaire: previous therapies and illnesses, clinical characteristics, severity level (PASI), b) Patient questionnaire: quality of life, patient-relevant therapy benefits, satisfaction with care. Eight indicators of the quality of care were developed in an expert consensus. 11.6 % of the 2,009 patients had severe (PASI>20) and 27.4 % had moderate psoriasis (PASI 10-20). The mean PASI was 10.1. 32.2 % of the patients reported a severely impaired quality of life (DLQI>10), the mean DLQI was 7.5. Almost half (47.3 %) of the patients had already received systemic therapy, among those with severe psoriasis 62.1 %. 20.1 % of the patients had been treated as inpatients in the previous year. On average, the patients were unable to work for 3.4 days per year due to their psoriasis. An improvement in the quality of care compared to 2005 could be seen in all eight indicators.