Biomedical subjects

J Loss

Publications and source records attributed to J Loss.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

[The concept of social marketing--potential and limitations for health promotion and prevention in Germany].

"Social marketing" is the use of marketing principles to design and implement programmes to promote socially beneficial behaviour changes. In the field of health promotion and prevention, the systematic planning process of social marketing can offer new ideas and perspectives to the traditions of social science. Major characteristics of social marketing encompass continuous market research focussing on attitudes, motives and behavioural patterns of the target group, an integrated mix of strategic key elements, and the perpetual evaluation of all procedures. So far, however, it is unclear in how far social marketing is actually more effective than other concepts of programme planning. Furthermore, it has to be discussed whether the underlying philosophy of social marketing and its implicit understanding of relationships to the public are reconcilable with health promotion principles. In Anglo-Saxon countries, the social marketing concept has achieved widespread application and is subject to controversial scientific discussions, whereas this approach is hardly considered in German health promotion research and practice. Given the increasing call for quality management and evaluation of health promotion interventions, the social marketing concept may contribute useful insights at an operational level and thus add to a discussion on effective approaches for programme planning.

Germany↗

PubMed2006

The effects of promoting colorectal cancer screening on screening utilisation: evaluation of the German Campaign "Aktiv gegen Darmkrebs" (Action against Colorectal Cancer).

BACKGROUND: Although colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in Germany, screening rates remain low. It is unknown whether local approaches to promoting colorectal cancer screening are effective. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a regional awareness campaign consisting of public information sessions and leaflet distribution, upon the use of colorectal cancer screening by faecal occult blood test (FOBT) and colonoscopy. METHODS: Data on FOBT and colonoscopy were collected by doctors for 12 months following the campaign, including reason for and result of the testing. 37 % (n = 43) of all physicians and practitioners in two administrative districts (249 632 inhabitants) that were exposed to the campaign participated in the study. It was recorded whether the individuals requesting colorectal cancer screening had been prompted by the campaign, so the number and outcome of campaign-related tests was determined. RESULTS: 3398 individuals (male: 54.6 %, female: 45.4 %, age: 64.3 +/- 8.3 years) underwent 3551 screening tests (2446 FOBT, 819 colonoscopy, 133 both). 141 additional diagnostic colonoscopies were performed because of a positive result in the FOBT. Adenomas were detected in 279 individuals, malignancies in 11 individuals. 225 FOBT (8.7 %) and 176 colonoscopies (18.5 %) were performed due to the campaign; among these individuals, 49 had adenoma(s), 1 had carcinoma. The effect could be attributed both to leaflets and to information sessions. The proportion of campaign-related screening tests declined over time. CONCLUSION: The regional information campaign could reach target individuals and motivate them to utilise colorectal cancer screening. The combination of mass media and personal communicative elements seems useful.

Colonoscopy↗

PubMed2005

[Does evidence-based surgery harm autonomy in clinical decision making?].

Evidence-based clinical guidelines in surgery are frequently confronted with scepticism by the medical staff, especially because a confinement of free decision making in therapy is expected. Considering that medicine is not merely natural science, but can as well be comprehended as social science or art, evidence-based medicine (EbM) may lead to an oversimplified and rigid standardization in medical care ("cook book medicine"). In addition, scientific progress might be prevented by inflexible guidelines. However, it is important for surgeons to engage in the development of evidence-based guidelines in order to put forward their interests, because it is the lack of medical guidelines that might threaten free decision making in surgery - by not confronting economical pressure with decisive minimal standards in medical care. Therapeutical freedom is a substantial principle in medicine, but it should be considered that according to occidental tradition, "freedom" is necessarily involving reason and conscientiousness.

Clinical Competence↗

PubMed2005

[Knowledge of colorectal cancer prevention in the Bavarian population above 50 years--survey in two districts].

PURPOSE: Colorectal cancer is the second main cause of cancer death in Germany, although several measures related to primary prevention are described, and the utilisation of existing diagnostic tools (faecal occult blood test = FOBT, colonoscopy) is known to significantly decrease incidence and mortality. However, screening rates remain low in Germany, and insufficient knowledge of prevention possibilities is assumed to be responsible. The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge related to colorectal cancer prevention in a Bavarian population, in the context of a regional public awareness campaign ("Active against Colorectal Cancer"). METHODS: 618 individuals between 50 and 90 ys of age participated in a telephone survey (m: 219, f: 399, 63.2 +/- 9.17 ys); the participants were inhabitants of two Bavarian districts. The questionnaire consisted of open-ended questions concerning preventive behaviour, colorectal cancer screening, risk factors, early warning signs and knowledge of colorectal cancer information. RESULTS: More than 80% of participants recalled healthy diet as a possible protective factor against colorectal cancer; a distinctly smaller percentage, however, could correctly define concrete dietary factors: e. g., fruit and vegetables were named by 54.5%. 66% of participants knew that unusual rectal bleeding might be a warning sign of cancer. Colonoscopy was the screening test that was most frequently recalled (61.5%); fewer participants named FOBT (32.8%) and rectal examination (11.5%). The results demonstrate that for many knowledge items, females proved to be significantly better informed than males. The most frequent sources of colorectal cancer information were newspapers, magazines, television and/or radio (named by 76.7%), as well as physicians and pharmacies (45.1%). 11.5% of participants attended the regional public awareness campaign "Action against colorectal cancer"; this subgroup had a better knowledge of some aspects related to colorectal cancer prevention. CONCLUSION: Evidently, the interviewed Bavarian population of 50 years or older lack knowledge of risk or protection factors for colorectal cancer. Knowledge of existing screening tests was also poor. These findings can serve as starting point for information campaigns tailored for target groups.

Age Factors↗