Interrupted Time Series for Assessing the Causality of Intervention Effects. Part 35 of a Series on Evaluating Scientific Publications.

Background: The gold standard for evaluating interventions in medicine and health care is the randomized controlled trial (RCT). In practice, however, RCTs may be difficult to conduct because of high costs, ethical aspects, or practical considerations. This is particularly true of studies on the population level, e.

Study protocol for the development, trial, and evaluation of a strategy for the implementation of qualification-oriented work organization in nursing homes.

Background: Staffing ratios in nursing homes vary among the federal states of Germany, but there are no rational grounds for these variations. In a previous study, a new instrument for the standardized calculation of staffing requirements in nursing homes was developed (Algorithm 1.0).

ATME-Needs, requirements and cross-sectoral patient journeys of patients with out-of-hospital mechanical ventilation and intensive care in outpatient settings: study protocol for an observational study.

Introduction: An increasing number of tracheotomised and/or ventilated patients with high-cost out-of-hospital intensive care needs and, at the same time, a decreasing number of healthcare professionals inevitably lead to challenges in the care of this patient population. In addition, little is known about this population, their health restrictions, needs, patient journeys, care structures and processes. The project 'Needs, requirements and cross-sectoral care pathways of out-of-hospital ventilated intensive care patients' (ATME) aims to analyse these aspects and explore current care structures to inform further development of care in line with patients' needs and requirements.

[What is a public health intervention? Results of a Delphi process in German-speaking countries].

Background: Internationally, a variety of definitions for public health interventions (PHI) exist. In the German-speaking countries, however, a definition is still outstanding. Therefore, the aim of this study was to derive consensus criteria for the definition of PHI from the expert perspective of science and practice.

The German Fast Track Toward Reimbursement of Digital Health Applications: Opportunities and Challenges for Manufacturers, Healthcare Providers, and People With Diabetes.

Background: Digital health applications (DiGA) supporting the management of diabetes are among the most commonly available digital health technologies. However, transparent quality assurance of DiGA and clinical proof of a positive healthcare effect is often missing, which creates skepticism of some stakeholders regarding the usage and reimbursement of these applications.

Methods: This article reviews the recently established fast-track integration of DiGA in the German reimbursement market, with emphasis on the current impact for manufacturers, healthcare providers, and people with diabetes.

Costs and its drivers for diabetes mellitus type 2 patients in France and Germany: a systematic review of economic studies.

Background: Type 2 diabetes represents an increasingly critical challenge for health policy worldwide. It absorbs massive resources from both patients and national economies to sustain direct costs of the treatment of type 2 diabetes and its complications and indirect costs related to work loss and wages. More recently, there are innovations based on remote control and personalised programs that promise a more cost-effective diabetes management while reducing diabetes-related complications.

Health Technology Assessment of Public Health Interventions Published 2012 to 2016: An Analysis of Characteristics and Comparison of Methods.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to provide an overview of the methodological characteristics and compare the assessment methods applied in health technology assessments (HTAs) of public health interventions (PHIs).

Methods: We defined a PHI as a population-based intervention on health promotion or for primary prevention of chronic or nonchronic diseases. HTAs on PHIs were identified by systematically searching the Web pages of members of international HTA networks.

Health technology assessment of public health interventions: an analysis of characteristics and comparison of methods-study protocol.

Background: Conducting a health technology assessment (HTA) of public health interventions (PHIs) poses some challenges. PHIs are often complex interventions, which affect the number and degree of interactions of the aspects to be assessed. Randomized controlled trials on PHIs are rare as they are difficult to conduct because of ethical or feasibility issues.

Development of indicators for a nationwide cross-sectoral quality assurance procedure for mental health care of patients with schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional disorders in Germany.

Purpose: This paper describes the development of quality indicators for an external statutory and cross-sectoral quality assurance (QA) procedure in the context of the German health care system for adult patients suffering from schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional disorders (F20-F29).

Methods: Indicators were developed by a modified RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method with 1) the compilation of an indicator register based on a systematic literature search and analyses of health care claims data, 2) the selection of indicators by an expert panel that rated them for relevance and for feasibility regarding implementation. Indicators rated positive for both relevance and feasibility formed the final indicator set.

Working atmosphere, job satisfaction and individual characteristics of community mental health professionals in integrated care.

Working requirements of community mental healthcare professionals in integrated care are complex. There is a lack of research concerning the relation of job satisfaction, working atmosphere and individual characteristics. For the current study, a survey evaluating job satisfaction and working atmosphere of mental healthcare professionals in integrated care was performed.

["The Crutch is in the corner …" - Experience of Mental Ill People with Cross-Sectoral Care in Integrated Care - A Qualitative Study].

The aim of the qualitative study was the evaluation of experiences with integrated care especially with the care in network "NetzWerk psychische Gesundheit" (NWpG) from the perspective of mental ill patients. The patients were recruited from the NWpG. Focus groups were conducted in five of these networks and analyzed with qualitative content analysis.

Structures and processes necessary for providing effective home treatment to severely mentally ill persons: a naturalistic study.

Background: Home treatment for severely mentally ill persons is becoming increasingly popular. This research aims to identify structures and processes in home treatment that impact on patient-related outcomes.

Methods: We analysed 17 networks that provide home treatment to severely mentally ill persons using a naturalistic approach.

Assessing the performance of mental health service facilities for meeting patient priorities and health service responsiveness.

The World Health Organisation has defined health service responsiveness as one of the key-objectives of health systems. Health service responsiveness relates to the ability to respond to service users' legitimate expectations on non-medical issues when coming into contact with the services of a healthcare system. It is defined by the areas showing respect for persons and patient orientation.

Integrated care in German mental health services as benefit for relatives--a qualitative study.

Background: As mental health services undergo the process of deinstitutionalization, this is resulting in a higher burden of care for relatives. Evidence suggests that interventions for carers have a beneficial impact on their psychological health. A reduction of responsibility for relatives is linked with a significantly improved outcome for the severely mentally ill.

["Hope Dies Last …" - Cross-Sectoral Cooperation in Integrated Care].

Multiple models of Integrated Care (IC) have been implemented in German mental health services in the last decade in order to improve cross-sectoral, interdisciplinary cooperation. This study investigates an IC network model providing home treatment, case management and a 24/7 hotline. The aim of the study was to explore how health professionals working in this service model perceive both cooperation within their facilities and with external stakeholders.

[Studies to Evaluate Outpatient Mental Health Services: Are Patients' Priorities Considered?].

To evaluate whether outcome measures in studies to evaluate outpatient mental health services reflect patients' priorities. Two systematic literature reviews were conducted to identify, 1) patients' priorities and 2) outcome measures that are used for evaluating outpatient mental health care. 3) The findings from the literature review for patients' priorities were contrasted with the findings from the literature review for outcome measures.

What contributes to good patient outcomes in the home treatment of the severely mentally ill: study protocol of a multi-centre analysis.

Background: While evidence is available that home treatment could be effective for treating severe mental illness, there is a lack of evidence on what exactly makes home treatment effective. The study presented here aims to develop recommendations for structures and processes in home treatment that are necessary for its effectiveness.

Methods/design: 14 provider networks of home treatment for severe mental illness will be analyzed and compared according to their structures, processes and patient-related outcomes.

Evaluation of mood disorder patients in a primary care practice: measures of affective temperament, mental health risk factors, and functional health in a retrospective, descriptive study of 35 patients.

Objective: THE PURPOSE OF THIS RETROSPECTIVE, DESCRIPTIVE STUDY WAS TO EVALUATE PRIMARY CARE PATIENTS DIAGNOSED WITH A MOOD DISORDER ON THE BASIS OF THE FOLLOWING: (1) comorbid medical illnesses, (2) risk factors for mood disorders and longitudinal presence of symptoms, (3) presence of affective temperament, and (4) functional status and quality of life.

Method: Patients (N = 35) were a convenience sample diagnosed in the Mood Disorder Clinic (MDC), a family practice site-based mental health treatment consultation service. All study patients were assessed using a semistructured interview and diagnosed according to DSM-IV-TR criteria.

Formative and summative evaluation of a practice doctorate program.

Practice doctorate programs are developing rapidly to meet the American Association of Colleges of Nursing recommendation that advanced practice nurses will be prepared with a Doctor of Nursing Practice by 2015. Evaluation of nursing doctoral programs has focused almost exclusively on research doctorate programs. The authors examine formative evaluations from students enrolled in a practice doctorate program and summative evaluations provided by students at the time of and 1 year following graduation.

Correlates of sexual function following vulvar excision.

Objectives: The objectives were to evaluate associations between size of excision, grade of VIN, demographic variables, location of excision and laterality and sexual function and quality of life (QOL) in women with vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) following vulvar excision.

Methods: Forty-three women with VIN who had undergone a vulvar excision completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 (QLQ C-30) scale to provide an assessment of sexual function and QOL. Medical records of the participants were reviewed for pathology results, operative reports, and medication history.

Pilot study of sexual function and quality of life after excision for vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia.

Objective: To compare sexualfunction and quality of life (QOL) in women with vulvar excision for vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) with those in an age-matched, healthy comparison group.

Study Design: This cross-sectional study contrasted women (n = 43) after vulvar excision for VIN with a healthy comparison group (n = 43). Participants were asked to complete the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 to provide an assessment of sexual function and quality of life.

The practice doctorate: perspectives of early adopters.

The emergence of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is being described as a disruptive innovation that is altering the landscape of nursing and health care and creating a great deal of controversy within and beyond the profession of nursing. This article proposes that the DNP is actually the natural evolution of a larger disruptive innovation begun in the late 1960s with the advent of nurse practitioner programs. As expected with disruptive innovations, many challenges face those who are early adopters and who forge ahead during the early phase of innovation and later during the upmarketing phase.