FoPraNet-BW: An Infrastructure for Clinical Studies in Practice-Based Research Networks in the German Health System.

General practice-based research networks have become an integral tool to gain medical knowledge from primary care in many countries. For this purpose, a scalable IT-infrastructure is presented considering the limiting peculiarities in the German health system and enabling GPs to participate in clinical studies based on their patient population. The infrastructure consists of a central study management server and local clients for each practice.

Vaccination status of patients with primary immunodeficiencies in Germany-a multicentric epidemiologic analysis.

Background: Vaccinations represent an easily accessible, safe, and important method for preventing infections. Patients with primary immunodeficiencies (PID) are more susceptible to infections and should receive an extended spectrum of immunizations in many countries.

Methods: Between January 2019 and May 2020, vaccination certificates of 70 patients with PID from the regions of Würzburg and Hanover in Germany were evaluated.

General practitioners' perspectives on lifestyle interventions for cognitive preservation in dementia prevention.

Background: General practitioners (GPs) play a crucial role in identifying cognitive impairment and dementia and providing post-diagnostic care. This study investigates (1) how promising GP consider lifestyle changes to maintain cognitive performance in general, (2) GP beliefs about the power of modifiable health and lifestyle factors to maintain cognitive performance, and (3) whether those beliefs vary by GP age.

Methods: As part of the AgeWell.

How stressful was the COVID-19 vaccination procedure? Comparison between mass vaccination centers and general practices.

Negative past experiences with vaccines or unfamiliar environments can be sources of stress during the COVID-19 vaccination procedure. We examined whether the perceived stressfulness of the vaccination procedure differ between mass vaccination centers and general practitioner (GP) practices. A survey was distributed (07/2021-10/2021) among newly vaccinated individuals in ten GP practices (n = 364) and two vaccine centers (n = 474).

Timely integration of specialist palliative home care (SPHC) for patients with congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and dementia: qualitative evaluation of the experiences of SPHC physicians in the KOPAL trial.

Objective: Chronic non-malignant diseases (CNMDs) are under-represented in specialist palliative home care (SPHC). The timely integration of SPHC for patients suffering from these diseases can reduce hospitalisation and alleviate symptom burdens. An intervention of an SPHC nurse-patient consultation followed by an interprofessional telephone case conference with the general practitioner (GP) was tested in the KOPAL trial ('Concept for strengthening interprofessional collaboration for patients with palliative care needs').

International consensus on fasting terminology.

Although fasting is increasingly applied for disease prevention and treatment, consensus on terminology is lacking. Using Delphi methodology, an international, multidisciplinary panel of researchers and clinicians standardized definitions of various fasting approaches in humans. Five online surveys and a live online conference were conducted with 38 experts, 25 of whom completed all 5 surveys.

Intramural Health Care Through Video Consultations and the Need for Referrals and Hospital Admissions: Retrospective Quantitative Subanalysis of an Evaluation Study.

Background: In comparison to the general population, prison inmates are at a higher risk for drug abuse and psychiatric, as well as infectious, diseases. Although intramural health care has to be equivalent to extramural services, prison inmates have less access to primary and secondary care. Furthermore, not every prison is constantly staffed with a physician.

Regional hospice and palliative care networks worldwide: scoping review.

Background: Regional hospice and palliative care networks (RHPCNs) are increasingly being established to improve integrative care for patients with life-limiting illnesses. This scoping review aimed at identifying and synthesising international literature on RHPCNs, focusing on structures, outcomes, benefits, success factors and good practices.

Method: Following Arksey and O'Malley's (2005) framework, a search of four electronic databases (CINAHL, Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection) was conducted on 7 July 2023.

Non-kin caregivers of terminally ill people: Contributions, experiences, and needs: A protocol for a mixed-methods study.

Background: The role of non-kin caregivers, such as friends, neighbours, and acquaintances, in providing end-of-life care is significant but often overlooked in research and policy discussions. These caregivers provide extensive support for individuals in end-of-life care, in addition to or instead of family members. However, there is limited evidence in the literature regarding the experiences, burdens, and benefits of non-kin caregivers.

Adherence to a lifestyle intervention - just a question of self-efficacy? Analysis of the AgeWell.de-intervention against cognitive decline.

Background: Aim of this study was to detect predictors of better adherence to the AgeWell.de-intervention, a two-year randomized multi-domain lifestyle intervention against cognitive decline.

Methods: Data of 317 intervention group-participants comprising a risk group for dementia (Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Ageing and Dementia (CAIDE) score of  ≥ 9; mean age 68.

Supporting Bereaved Family Members: A Qualitative Interview Study on the Experience of Bereavement Counselling by the Bereavement Network Lower Saxony (BNLS) in Germany for Parents Who Have Lost Children or Teenagers.

The "Trauer Netzwerk Niedersachsen" ("Bereavement Network Lower Saxony" (BNLS)) aims at supporting families after the loss of a child or teenager due to various causes. This study aims to describe the experiences of bereaved family members with the BNLS counsellors. 12 semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents who had received or were currently receiving BNLS counselling.

Counseling lifestyle medicine in oncology: A qualitative analysis of interprofessional patient-nurse-physician interactions.

Objectives: Counseling plays a key role in promoting health behaviors, providing evidence-based information, and supporting patients with cancer during and after treatment. This study aimed to evaluate an interprofessional counseling service on Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH) for patients being treated at Comprehensive Cancer Centers (CCCs) in Southern Germany.

Methods: Patients participating in the CCC-Integrativ study received three CIH counseling sessions within three months in addition to their conventional cancer treatment.

Intended and Actual Participation in the Colorectal Cancer Screening Program.

Background: The public generally has a positive view of colorectal cancer screening, but there is still room for improvement in participation rates. The aim of this study was to identify factors that are associated with intended and actual participation.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of a random sample of insurees of the AOK (a statutory health insurance carrier) in the German federal state of Lower Saxony.

Evaluating palliative care case conferences in primary care for patients with advanced non-malignant chronic conditions: a cluster-randomised controlled trial (KOPAL).

Background: Patients with congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and dementia are underrepresented in specialist palliative home care (SPHC). However, the complexity of their conditions requires collaboration between general practitioners (GPs) and SPHC teams and timely integration into SPHC to effectively meet their needs.

Objective: To facilitate joint palliative care planning and the timely transfer of patients with advanced chronic non-malignant conditions to SPHC.

Ginger for Pain Management in Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Primary dysmenorrhea is a common gynecological disorder that affects many women of reproductive age. Ginger, a widely used spice with anti-inflammatory properties, has been suggested as a potential treatment for the painful cramps associated with this condition. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of ginger for pain management in primary dysmenorrhea.

The Patient Activation Measure-13 (PAM-13) in an oncology patient population: psychometric properties and dimensionality evaluation.

Background: Accurate assessment and enhancement of health-related skills among oncology patients are pivotal for optimizing cancer care. The Patient Activation Measure (PAM-13), a questionnaire designed to reflect an individual's knowledge, skills, and confidence in self-healthcare management, has been validated across diverse countries and settings. Concerns have been raised regarding the cross-situational applicability, as patients with specific diseases and cultural backgrounds interpret questionnaire items differently.

Insights from end-of-career general practitioners on changing working conditions and generational differences: considerations for future strategies.

The landscape of general practice has experienced notable transformations in recent decades, profoundly influencing the working conditions of general practitioners (GPs). This study aimed to examine the most salient changes affecting GPs' daily practices. Through semi-structured qualitative interviews with 15 end-of-career GPs, the study explored how these changes affected work organization, equipment, working hours, work-life balance, job satisfaction, training, patient relationships, and reputation.

Cardioprotective Diet to Prevent Anthracycline-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Randomized Open-Label Controlled Trial.

Several studies have indicated that dietary interventions may offer protection against the development of cardiac damage in the case of anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy (AIC). The goal of this study was to assess whether an evidence-based cardioprotective diet can be effective in preventing AIC in patients with breast cancer. Randomized, open-label, controlled trial.

Low Inter-Rater Reliability and Reproducibility of Neck Reflex/"Adler-Langer" Points in Neural Therapy Diagnostics but Increased Pressure Pain Threshold after Therapy: Results of a Randomized Controlled Observer-Blind Trial.

Background: Neck reflex points or Adler-Langer points are commonly used in neural therapy to detect so-called interference fields. Chronic irritations or inflammations in the sinuses, teeth, tonsils, or ears are supposed to induce tension and tenderness of the soft tissues and short muscles in the upper cervical spine. The individual treatment strategy is based on the results of diagnostic Adler-Langer point palpation.