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[Possibilities and results of shortened hospital treatment in pediatric surgery (author's transl)].

2582 surgical operations on children - principally abdominal hernias and phimoses - are reported. Inpatient treatment required a stay of 3.2 days, 430 children were treated as outpatients. The 11 pediatricians working in the afflux area unanimously judged the shortened stay in hospital positive. Of the parents interviewed, only 1.3% did not agree with the short hospitalization and 4.8% disagreed with the outpatient therapy. The well-known psychic disturbances of small children by admission to hospital confirmed. The economic importance of a stay which can be reduced by 10 days compared with the present average is pointed out.

Abdomen

Non-pharmacological factors in drug treatment of anxiety states.

Forty-six outpatients with anxiety tension states took part in a study on the effects of anxiolytic drugs. After the first interview the subjects also filled in a questionnaire as to their expectations of treatment outcome (n=41) and their experience of the first consultation (n=42), and the doctors made a prognostic evaluation (n=46). The relations between these three factors and background variables as well as initial ratings and outcome as rated by the doctors at follow-up examinations after 2, 4, and 8 weeks were investigated. Expectations, experience, and prognosis were not related to each other. Less hopeful patients more often considered conflicts to be the exclusive cause of their disorder and they were rated higher on signs and on the variable difficulties in being with people. Patients with less favourable experience more often considered practical and economic difficulties to be a cause of their disorder. Single or divorced patients were more often judged to have a less favourable prognosis. More positive expectations and a favourable prognosis. More positive expectations and a favourable prognosis were to some extent related to a better outcome after 2 and 4 weeks and a favourable experience was to some extent related to a better outcome after 4 and 8 weeks.

Adolescent

A Sentiment-Based Comparison of AI- and Physician-Generated Empathic Statements in Palliative Care.

CONTEXT: Empathic communication promotes trust in patient-provider relationships. As healthcare integrates artificial intelligence (AI) into patient communication, we have yet to understand how these models' communication compares to that of physicians. OBJECTIVES: Our primary objectives were to examine patient preferences for AI-generated vs. palliative care physician-generated empathic statements addressing fear and anxiety around cancer treatment, and to analyze associations between linguistic features and patient preferences. METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of the PALL-AI trial, a randomized controlled survey comparing cancer patients' preferences of AI- to physician-generated empathic statements. Physicians and AI were provided the same prompt with a maximum sentence length. Patient preferences for each statement were measured in blinded surveys. We analyzed sentiment of the statements using the Valence Aware Dictionary and Sentiment Reasoner (VADER) and the National Research Council Canada (NRC) Emotion Lexicon. We evaluated associations between sentiment scores and patient preferences using Spearman's correlation coefficients. RESULTS: A total of 105 patients completed blinded surveys, preferring the AI-generated statement 72.4% of the time. VADER sentiment analysis showed all three AI statements displayed positive sentiment, while all three physician statements displayed negative sentiment. Controlling for statement length, AI statements used twice as many positive words as human statements. However, they contained a similar number of negative words. Of the eight NRC emotions, "trust" and "joy" demonstrated the strongest correlations with patient preference. CONCLUSION: Patients preferred AI-generated statements around cancer care over those from palliative care physicians when standardized for prompt and statement length. Analysis shows AI-generated statements contain more positive language which may be the factor driving patient preference toward AI.

Humans

Making patient-oriented decisions with collegial support as an anchor: Oncologists' experiences of late-line treatment selection in metastatic breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Treatment guidelines support oncologists in treatment decision-making for patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). However, treatment decision-making is complicated by the rapid pace of therapeutic advances, the complexity of incorporating patient preferences, and the underrepresentation of diverse populations in clinical trials. This study explored oncologists' experiences of treatment selection in late-line MBC when evidence and guidelines provide limited guidance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This qualitative study was conducted using a constructivist approach and involved individual interviews with twelve oncologists in Sweden. Participants had between five and forty years of experience in breast cancer care and worked within publicly funded healthcare across academic and regional hospitals. An inductive reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify themes, with attention to both manifest and latent meanings in the data. RESULTS: The overarching theme interpreted was: Making patient-oriented treatment decisions with collegial support as an anchor, reflecting how oncologists adapt their treatment decision-making to patient needs while relying on colleagues for professional stability. Four themes were elucidated: Offering to use professional knowledge and experience to decide; Inviting the patient to a dialogue to decide; Supporting the patient in making the final decision; and Turning to colleagues for advice and support. CONCLUSION: This study challenges the positivist evidence-based assumption that oncologists act as neutral facilitators who simply present treatment options for patients to choose. Instead, it positions oncologists as active decision-makers who clearly state their professional stance, retain responsibility for treatment decisions, and respect patient autonomy, moving beyond the traditional, dichotomized shared decision-making model. IMPLICATIONS TO PRACTICE: We argue that oncologists are active stakeholders in a value-led decision-making process and encourage them to clearly articulate the values underlying their recommendations. This approach enables patients to be addressed with full autonomy, while the ultimate responsibility for treatment decisions remains with the oncologist.

Humans

Educational interventions to improve medical students' bad news communication skills: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This systematic review aimed to both determine whether educational interventions improve medical students' ability and/or confidence in Bad News Communication (BNC), as well as assess the relative efficacy of instructional formats. METHODS: Performed according to the PRISMA guidelines, four databases were searched for articles describing education-based interventions to improve medical student's BNC ability and/or confidence, published in English between 2001 and 2024. Data on students' self-reported or observer-assessed level of competence/ability in BNC (primary outcome), and students' self-assessed confidence in BNC skills (secondary outcomes), were analysed. Meta regression explained the influence of several categorical moderators on heterogeneity in relation to intervention effects on competence/ability. RESULTS: 27 studies met the criteria for inclusion in the systematic review and 17 studies for the meta-analysis. Interventions described in controlled studies were associated with a moderate and significant increase in BNC ability (13 data sets; standardized mean difference [SMD] = 1.09, 95% CI = 0.52 - 1.66). Interventions detailed in pre-post design studies were associated with a significant increase in BNC ability (20 data sets; SMD = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.52 - 1.32), and student confidence/comfort in their BNC skills (12 data sets; SMD = 1.16, 95% CI = 0.57 - 1.75). Subgroup analysis demonstrated better skills/competence outcomes in studies that included simulation-based training (SBT). CONCLUSIONS: Educational interventions improve the BNC ability and confidence of medical students. Interventions should include an SBT element as this leads to greater improvements in BNC ability. Further research is needed to determine to what extent these interventions translate to positive patient outcomes. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Diverse educational programme, especially those including simulation-based training, are effective in improving BNC skills, although the longetivity of these improvements is at present unclear. Therefore, we recommend that refresher courses or practice opportunities should be scheduled throughout students' medical education to ensure retention of BNC skills.

Humans

Diagnostic communication in functional neurological disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of patient acceptance and clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: Diagnostic disclosure is a key therapeutic moment in Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). This systematic review aimed to evaluate quantitative evidence on diagnostic acceptance, understanding, satisfaction, symptom outcomes, and healthcare utilisation following diagnostic disclosure in FND, and to conduct a meta-analysis of diagnostic acceptance. METHODS: Systematic searches of PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Web of Science identified quantitative studies in adults with FND. Screening followed predefined inclusion criteria. Data were extracted using a structured template and risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. A random-effects meta-analysis of proportions was conducted using the Freeman-Tukey transformation. RESULTS: Fifteen studies were included, four of which contributed to the meta-analysis (n = 481). Reported diagnostic acceptance rates ranged from 38.7% to 90%, although the timing and method of assessment varied across studies. Pooled acceptance was 0.68 (95% CI 0.44-0.88), with substantial heterogeneity. Structured or reinforced communication was frequently associated with improved understanding and satisfaction, although its superiority for diagnostic acceptance was not established. In some studies, diagnostic acceptance was associated with more favourable clinical outcomes, although findings were inconsistent. Some studies reported reductions in healthcare utilisation or costs following satisfactory diagnostic explanation, whereas others found no sustained overall reduction. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic communication in FND is associated with differences in acceptance, understanding, and downstream clinical and healthcare outcomes. Approximately two-thirds of patients were reported as accepting the diagnosis following disclosure, although the timing and method of assessment varied substantially across studies. Empathic and evidence-informed communication may enhance understanding and engagement, although its effects on healthcare use and recovery remain uncertain. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Diagnostic disclosure should be delivered clearly, empathically, and with reinforcement over time. Written information, reputable educational resources, and opportunities for follow-up clarification may support patient understanding and engagement, although stronger comparative evidence is needed.

Humans

Psychogeriatrics and community care.

The meaning of community care, as at present organised for the elderly mentally ill, is examined critically. It is argued that often the phrase is used to conceal the deficiencies of traditional institutional facilities, for which community care is apt to be regarded as a cheap substitute. It is suggested that it would be beneficial to have available true community care, capable of providing a full-time service to patients in their own homes, in preference to institutional facilities. Though such a scheme would benefit patients, it would have implications for the community discordant with present official attitudes.

Aged

Age factors in patient-therapist relationship.

This paper reports on the effects of therapist and patient age as factors in the evaluation and treatment of adult psychiatric outpatients. Therapist ratings and patient self-ratings are contrasted in three age groups. Rating scales include symptomatology, motivation, insight, and prognosis. In addition, a chart review follow-up of 68 patients includes disposition and drop-out. The data suggest that older patients are perceived as sicker, but less treatable than younger patients or patients of the same age group as the therapist. Residents express a strong preference for treating younger patients, but more readily develop a treatment relationship with same age patients. Both older and younger patients were significantly less likely to remain in treatment. Age of therapist and patient as a significant, frequent unrecognized factor in psychotherapeutic intervention is discussed and modifications in psychiatric training programs are suggested.

Adjustment Disorders

Evaluation of combined pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatment in patients with functional abdominal disorders.

78 patients suffering from various functional abdominal complaints have been trated in a 2 x 2 double-blind design: (a) psychotherapy with Ro 5-3350 (TH/Ro); (b) psychotherapy with placebo (TH/P); (c) Ro 5-3350 without psychotherapy (NIH/Ro); (d) placebo without psychotherapy (NTH/P). Results show that a considerable amount of improvement cannot be ascribed to the two critical factors or the interaction of both, but are due to unspecific influences in the course of treatment. Some of the results concerning the combination of TH and the psychotropic drug pose interesting questions for further research and bare implications for double-blind trials of psychotropic drugs. The results suggest that possibly properties of any psychotropic drug have to be related to a doctor-patient relationship within which the personal problems of the patient are dealt with. In order to evaluate such properties, special methodological precautions have to be taken. These will be briefly discussed.

Anti-Anxiety Agents

Drug use by the polysurgical patient.

The authors compared the drug use of 23 patients with 5 or more major surgeries (mean number of surgeries = 9.8) with that of a matched control group (mean number of surgeries = 1). Total drug use of the polysurgical patients was 3.7 times greater than that of the controls and involved narcotics, analgesics, barbiturates, and minor tranquilizers. The authors describe the characteristics of polysurgical patients, one of which is chronic pain, and propose a treatment plan that involves psychological intervention for the patient and his or her family.

Adult

Implications of increased dosage of neuroleptic medications during psychotherapy.

Unrecognized emotional reactions on the part of the psychiatric trainee may result in the inappropriate use of medications. To illustrate the possibility that increases in medication dosages may be related to the psychiatric clinician's lack of control, the authors present three clinical examples and discuss the concept of countertransference. A model of supervision is described in which the supervisor, trainee, and patient meet to correct these therapeutic distortions and reduce the amount of medication required.

Adult

Drug refusal in schizophrenia: causes and prescribing hints.

Many discharged patients diagnosed as schizophrenic do not continue to take their prescribed antipsychotic medication. Reasons for reluctance to take drugs include the development of extrapyramidal symptoms, most notably akathisia and akinesia; a poor doctor-patient relationship; or the patient's preference to continue his schizophrenic existence. To improve drug compliance, the physician should ask the patient about his impressions of side-effects and should let the patient help determine the optimal dosage.

Aftercare