The somatic care of patients with comorbid mental disorders: protocol of a mixed-methods study aiming to identify barriers to and enablers of utilization of somatic healthcare (SoKo).

Background: Healthcare for people with somatic and comorbid mental diseases can pose a challenge to the healthcare system. The aim of the SoKo study (the Somatic care of patients with mental Comorbidity) is to assess the current state of care and the facilitators and barriers of somatic care of people with somatic disorders and comorbidity of a mental disorder.

Methods: The study is conducted as a mixed-methods approach and will include (a) descriptive and inferential analysis of secondary claims data of persons insured by a German statutory health insurance company in North Rhine-Westphalia (Techniker Krankenkasse, TK-NRW), (b) qualitative individual interviews and group discussions, and (c) based on (a) and (b), quantitative surveys of both patients and physicians.

[Oncologic Care of Breast Cancer Patients with Preexisting Disabilities: Results of a Qualitative Study on Perceived Barriers, Communication Difficulties, and Needs].

Up to now, people with disabilities have received little consideration in health care with regard to their individual needs. This study gathers information on the internal perspective of breast cancer patients with a pre-existing disability with regard to needs and barriers in oncological care. For this purpose, qualitative, guideline-based interviews were conducted and analysed using qualitative content analysis.

Development of the health behaviour scale for cancer patients (HBSCP), analysis of its factorial structure and evaluation of its psychometric properties.

Objective: The development and validation of a health behaviour scale for cancer patients (HBSCP).

Methods: An 11-item scale was developed based on existing literature on health behaviour and cancer prevention and care. Identified dimensions include the following: nutrition and weight, physical activity, nicotine and alcohol use, stress, and adherence to medical health services.

Are There Disparities in Surgical Treatment for Breast Cancer Patients with Prior Physical Disability A Path Analysis.

Introduction: Cancer care for patients with prior physical disability has hardly been researched in clinical research, health services research, or special education. This article aims to compare the severity of disease and the surgical treatment of diagnosed breast cancer patients with and without prior physical disability.

Methods: A total of 4,194 patients with primary breast cancer who underwent surgery in a breast cancer center in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, participated in an annual postoperative postal survey, which was complemented by clinical data.

[Self-Perception and External Perception of Peer Support Workers in Clinical Psychiatric Practice].

Objective: Since 2016, peer support workers (PSW) have been working in a clinical group with nine psychiatric clinics. The aim of this study was to collect expectations and experiences with peer support work.

Method: Twelve PSW and 32 clinicians (key informants, KI) from all clinics participated in an anonymous, written survey.

Does basic information concerning nutrition improve the information needs of breast cancer patients? An evaluation.

Purpose: International and national studies have shown unmet information needs regarding nutrition in breast cancer patients. An intervention study has examined the question of the extent to which a fact sheet on the topic of nutrition is suitable to cover the need for information of breast cancer patients.

Method: The fact sheet with basic information on nutrition was distributed in 21 intervention breast care centres in 2017.

Health disparities among breast cancer patients with/without disabilities in Germany.

Background: Prevalence and incidence of cancer are increasing in people with disability. Nevertheless, little is known about cancer care for people with disabilities.

Objective: The goal of this study was to examine the quality of care of breast cancer patients with pre-existing disabilities regarding diagnosis and type of breast surgery in Germany.

Waiting time, communication quality, and patient satisfaction: An analysis of moderating influences on the relationship between perceived waiting time and the satisfaction of breast cancer patients during their inpatient stay.

Objective: Waiting time has been consistently found to be a significant predictor of patient dissatisfaction. The aim of this study is to examine whether positive communication experiences with health care providers could moderate the negative relationship between waiting time and patient satisfaction.

Methods: Data from a sample of 4626 breast cancer patients in Germany during their inpatient stay were analyzed.

Differences in Perceived Waiting Time by Health Insurance Type in the Inpatient Sector: An Analysis of Patients With Breast Cancer in Germany.

Although the relationship between health insurance and waiting time has been established in the ambulatory sector in Germany, research in the inpatient sector is limited. This study aims to contribute to previous work through analyzing differences in perceived waiting time by health insurance type during the inpatient stays of patients with breast cancer in Germany. This study utilizes cross-sectional data from 2017 of patients with breast cancer (N = 4626) who underwent primary breast cancer surgery in a certified breast care center in Germany.

Short length of stay and the discharge process: Preparing breast cancer patients appropriately.

Objective: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, increasing the relevance of an efficient and successful care process. As length of stay (LOS) in the hospital decreases, patients' satisfaction with the LOS varies. We hypothesize that successful discharge planning can improve this evaluation.

[Influence of Sociodemographic Factors on Type of and Stage at Diagnosis in Breast Cancer].

Unlabelled: This study examines the influence of sociodemographic factors on the type of and stage at diagnosis in breast cancer in Germany.

Method: As part of the certification of the breast cancer centers by the German Cancer Society (DGK), the Institute of Medical Sociology, Health Services and Rehabilitation Science (IMVR) conducted nationwide post-stationary postal patient surveys (n=852). The influence of sociodemographic factors on the type of diagnosis and on the stage at diagnosis were each analyzed using a multinomial logistic regression.

How do breast cancer patients experience multidisciplinary tumor conferences? - A description from the patient perspective.

Objectives: Aim of this study was to investigate the experiences of breast cancer patients who participated in multidisciplinary tumor conferences (MTCs).

Study Design: Data from two consecutive years of an annual postal survey of patients with primary breast cancer were combined. Data was collected between February and July 2015 (response rate 72%) and 2016 (response rate 73%) from N = 8893 patients (ICD-10 C50) after hospital discharge from 86 breast cancer center hospitals in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

[Is There An Association Between Audit Results and Patient Experiences at Breast Centres in North Rhine-Westphalia?].

Aim Of The Study: To ensure and improve the quality of care, patients with breast cancer in North Rhine-Westphalia are supposed to be treated in certified breast centres only. To obtain this certification, every 3 years all centres must undergo an auditing process. They also have to participate in an annual patient survey.

Why do newly diagnosed breast cancer patients seek a second opinion? - Second opinion seeking and its association with the physician-patient relationship.

Objective: To examine breast cancer patients' reasons to seek a second opinion (SO) and the underlying variables. To find out more about the outcome of the SO, the perceived helpfulness and the effect on the physician-patient relationship.

Methods: In 2017, 4626 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients from 86 hospitals in Germany completed a postoperative mail survey (response rate = 89.

Second opinion in medical encounters - A study among breast cancer patients.

Objective: To examine the association between whether physicians discuss the possibility of seeking a second opinion (SO) with patients and the patients' decision to seek an SO. We also investigated the impact of seeking such an opinion on patients' trust in physicians.

Methods: Newly diagnosed breast cancer patients were surveyed postoperatively with a mail survey.

Patients' Trust in Physician, Patient Enablement, and Health-Related Quality of Life During Colon Cancer Treatment.

In cancer care, where patients and their families experience significant emotional distress and patients have to deal with complex medical information, patient centeredness is an important aspect of quality of care. The aim of this study is to examine the impact of patients' trust in their oncologists and patients' enablement on changes in health-related quality of life of colon cancer patients during follow-up care. We conducted a prospective study in a representative sample of private practices of German oncologists (N = 44).

Recovery opportunities, work-home conflict, and emotional exhaustion among hematologists and oncologists in private practice.

Hematologists and oncologists in private practice play a central role in the care provided for cancer patients. The present study analyzes stress and relaxation aspects in the work of hematologists and oncologists in private practice in Germany in relation to emotional exhaustion, as a core dimension of burnout syndrome. The study focuses on the opportunities for internal recovery using breaks and time out during the working day, the frequency of working on weekends and on vacation, and the physician's work-home and home-work conflict.

The initial clinical interview--can it reduce cancer patients' fear?

Purpose: A common phenomenon among cancer patients is a fear of cancer recurrence or cancer progression (FOP). The aim of the present study was to analyze whether the oncologist is able to reduce patients' FOP at the initial clinical interview.

Method: A prospective, longitudinal study included patients who were consulting private-practice oncologists in Germany for the first time.