Current Status of Cardiovascular Imaging in Germany: Structured Data from the National Certification Program, ESCR Registry, and Survey among Radiologists

Purpose In the light of the increasing importance of cardiovascular cross-sectional imaging in current guidelines, the goal of this study is to provide a comprehensive overview of cardiovascular imaging (CVI) offered by radiological institutions across Germany. Materials and Methods Data were extracted from the national certification program database of the German Roentgen Society (DRG) from 2015–2021. A nationwide online survey among radiology institutes (university hospitals, non-university hospitals, and private practices) was conducted for 2019, and data was extracted from the European Society of Cardiovascular Radiology (ESCR) registry. The data collection's key points included the number of centers and individuals certified for CVI, the number of cardiac CT and MRI examinations performed, the reporting habits, and the participation in the ESCR registry. Results 71 centers and 1278 persons, both with a substantial increase since 2015, were registered and certified by the DRG to perform CVI. According to the survey, a total of 69,286 CT and 64,281 MRI examinations were performed annually. Data from the survey and the ESCR registry indicated that reporting was mostly done solely by radiologists or, to a lesser degree, in joint consensus meetings with non-radiologists. The overall participation rate in the ESCR registry was 48 % among the surveyʼs participants. Conclusion This comprehensive analysis demonstrates that high-quality CVI by radiologists is available nationwide. The current challenges are to provide the best medical and technical quality of CVI by radiology for patient care and to ensure economic sustainability in the German health care system to accommodate the predicted substantial need for CVI in the future. Key Points Citation Format

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Needs assessment for a curriculum for difficult conversations in a neurology residency training program in China

10.21203/rs.2.17438/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Lixin Zhou ◽

Bo Wu ◽

Liyong Wu ◽

Xin Cheng ◽

Bo Hu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Residency Training ◽

Online Survey ◽

Unmet Need ◽

Skills Training ◽

Current Status ◽

Teaching Hospitals ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Training Time ◽

Difficult Conversations ◽

Previous Training

Abstract Background Communication skill is a core competency in neurology residency training. Specific training in this area at the residency level is often lacking, especially regarding difficult conversations. The aim of this study is to evaluate the current state in which neurology programs in China teach residents about difficult conversations and determine whether there is a perceived need for a formalized educational curriculum in this field.Method An anonymous, 27-question, cross-sectional online survey addressing difficult conversations for neurological residents were distributed to five grade-A, class-3 hospitals selected from the affiliated teaching hospitals of medical schools qualified to provide neurology residency training in China.Results A total of 182 residents responded to the survey, and the response rate was 67.16% (182/271). Of the participants, 84.6% were female and the average age was 26.8 years. The majority of respondent residents (n=168; 92.31%) reported being exposed to at least one difficult conversation in their medical careers. Only 43 (23.63%) participants reported having previously received formal communication skills training. In comparison with residents without previous training, those with previous training indicated significantly more confidence(P=0.003)and were under lower pressure(P=0.037) in managing difficult conversations. Only 97 (53.3%) residents indicated interest in receiving formal training. Time, lack of enthusiasm, lack of educational materials and faculty expertise were commonly cited barriers to formalized training.Conclusion This survey provides a contemporary assessment of the current status of education on the topic of difficult conversations in neurology residency training. Our results suggest that there is an unmet need to further develop and implement educational activities by teaching residents to lead difficult conversations. Targeted communication curriculum in difficult conversation should be further developed and implemented for the neurological residents in China.

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Why Do Data Users Say Health Care Data Are Difficult to Use? A Cross-Sectional Survey Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.14126 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Ho Heon Kim ◽

Bora Kim ◽

Segyeong Joo ◽

Soo-Yong Shin ◽

Hyo Soung Cha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Access To Health Care ◽

Online Survey ◽

Data Use ◽

Survey Study ◽

Current Status ◽

Sensitive Information ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health Care Data ◽

Public Data

BACKGROUND There has been significant effort in attempting to use health care data. However, laws that protect patients’ privacy have restricted data use because health care data contain sensitive information. Thus, discussions on privacy laws now focus on the active use of health care data beyond protection. However, current literature does not clarify the obstacles that make data usage and deidentification processes difficult or elaborate on users’ needs for data linking from practical perspectives. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to investigate (1) the current status of data use in each medical area, (2) institutional efforts and difficulties in deidentification processes, and (3) users’ data linking needs. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional online survey. To recruit people who have used health care data, we publicized the promotion campaign and sent official documents to an academic society encouraging participation in the online survey. RESULTS In total, 128 participants responded to the online survey; 10 participants were excluded for either inconsistent responses or lack of demand for health care data. Finally, 118 participants’ responses were analyzed. The majority of participants worked in general hospitals or universities (62/118, 52.5% and 51/118, 43.2%, respectively, multiple-choice answers). More than half of participants responded that they have a need for clinical data (82/118, 69.5%) and public data (76/118, 64.4%). Furthermore, 85.6% (101/118) of respondents conducted deidentification measures when using data, and they considered rigid social culture as an obstacle for deidentification (28/101, 27.7%). In addition, they required data linking (98/118, 83.1%), and they noted deregulation and data standardization to allow access to health care data linking (33/98, 33.7% and 38/98, 38.8%, respectively). There were no significant differences in the proportion of responded data needs and linking in groups that used health care data for either public purposes or commercial purposes. CONCLUSIONS This study provides a cross-sectional view from a practical, user-oriented perspective on the kinds of data users want to utilize, efforts and difficulties in deidentification processes, and the needs for data linking. Most users want to use clinical and public data, and most participants conduct deidentification processes and express a desire to conduct data linking. Our study confirmed that they noted regulation as a primary obstacle whether their purpose is commercial or public. A legal system based on both data utilization and data protection needs is required.

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Algo's Integrated Knowledge Translation Process in Homecare Services: A Cross-Sectional Correlational Study for Identifying its Level of Utilization and its Associated Characteristics

Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy ◽

10.1177/00084174211064495 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 000841742110644

Author(s):

Mélanie Ruest ◽

Guillaume Léonard ◽

Aliki Thomas ◽

Johanne Desrosiers ◽

Manon Guay

Keyword(s):

Knowledge Translation ◽

Organizational Climate ◽

Online Survey ◽

Participation Rate ◽

Occupational Therapists ◽

Integrated Knowledge Translation ◽

Correlational Study ◽

Clinical Settings ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Integrated Knowledge

Background. Algo is an integrated knowledge translation (IKT)-based algorithm for supporting occupational therapists (OTs) with skill mix for selecting bathing equipment. While IKT approaches are increasingly valued in implementation science, their benefits with respect to the utilization of knowledge in clinical settings are scarcely documented. Purpose. To identify Algo's level of utilization and the characteristics associated with its level of utilization. Method. A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted with OTs working in homecare services (HCS) through an online survey based on Knott and Wildavsky's classification and the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services ( PARIHS) framework. Findings. Almost half (48%) of the OTs surveyed (n = 125; participation rate: 16%) reached one of the seven levels of utilization. While Evidence characteristics are perceived as facilitators to its utilization, Context statements indicate an unfavorable organizational climate to the implementation of change. Implications. Strategies should target additional stakeholders (e.g., HCS managers) and organizational adjustments in HCS to sustain Algo's utilization.

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Needs assessment for a curriculum for difficult conversations -a survey from 5 Chinese accredited neurology residency training programs

BMC Medical Education ◽

10.1186/s12909-020-02246-7 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lixin Zhou ◽

Bo Wu ◽

Liyong Wu ◽

Xin Cheng ◽

Bo Hu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Residency Training ◽

Online Survey ◽

Training Programs ◽

Unmet Need ◽

Skills Training ◽

Current Status ◽

Teaching Hospitals ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Difficult Conversations ◽

Previous Training

Abstract Background Communication skill is a core competency in neurology residency training. Specific training in this area at the residency level is often lacking, especially regarding difficult conversations. The aim of this study is to evaluate the current state in teaching residents about difficult conversations in 5 Chinese accredited neurology residency training programs and determine whether there is a perceived need for a formalized curriculum in this field. Methods An anonymous, 27-question, cross-sectional online survey addressing difficult conversations for neurological residents were distributed to five grade-A, class-3 hospitals selected from the affiliated teaching hospitals of medical schools qualified to provide neurology residency training in China. Results A total of 182 residents responded to the survey, and the response rate was 67.16% (182/271). Of the participants, 84.6% were female and the average age was 26.8 years. The majority of respondent residents (n = 168; 92.31%) reported being exposed to at least one difficult conversation in their medical careers. Only 43 (23.63%) participants reported having previously received formal communication skills training. In comparison with residents without previous training, those with previous training indicated significantly more confidence (P = 0.003) and were under lower pressure (P = 0.037) in managing difficult conversations. Only 97 (53.3%) residents indicated interest in receiving formal training. Time, lack of enthusiasm, lack of educational materials and faculty expertise were commonly cited barriers to formalized training. Conclusion This survey provides a preliminary assessment of the current status of education on the topic of difficult conversations in five accredited Chinese neurology residency training programs. Our results suggest that there is an unmet need to further develop and implement educational activities by teaching residents to lead difficult conversations. Future efforts should be made to establish and promote a standard and targeted communication curriculum in difficult conversation for Chinese neurological residents.

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The COVID-19 pandemic: impact on surgical departments of non-university hospitals

BMC Surgery ◽

10.1186/s12893-020-00970-x ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Christian Stöß ◽

Marcella Steffani ◽

Kay Kohlhaw ◽

Claudia Rudroff ◽

Ludger Staib ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Operating Room ◽

Online Survey ◽

Surgical Care ◽

Hospital Staff ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

University Hospitals ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Short Supply ◽

Surgical Interventions ◽

Oncological Patients

Abstract Background During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, German health care centres were restructured for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. This was accompanied by the suspension of the surgical programme. The aim of the survey was to determine the effects of COVID-19 on surgical care in non-university hospitals in Germany. Methods This cross-sectional study was based on an anonymous online survey, which was accessible from April 24th to May 10th, 2020 for surgeons of the Konvent der leitenden Krankenhauschirurgen (Convention of leading Hospital Surgeons) in Germany. The analysis comprised of 22.8% (n = 148/649) completed surveys. Results Communication and cooperation with authorities, hospital administration and other departments were largely considered sufficient. In the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, 28.4% (n = 42/148) of the respondents complained about a short supply of protective equipment available for the hospital staff. 7.4% (n = 11/148) of the participants stated that emergency operations had to be postponed or rescheduled. A decreased quantity of emergency surgical procedures and a decreased number of surgical emergency patients treated in the emergency room was reported in 43.9% (n = 65/148) and 63.5% (n = 94/148), respectively. Consultation and treatment of oncological patients in the outpatient clinic was decreased in 54.1% (n = 80/148) of the surveyed hospitals. To increase the capacity for COVID-19 patients, a reduction of bed and operating room occupancy of 50.8 ± 19.3% and 54.2 ± 19.1% were reported, respectively. Therefore, 90.5% (n = 134/148) of all participants expected a loss of revenue of 28.2 ± 12.9% in 2020. Conclusion The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on surgical care in Germany. The reduction in the bed and the operating room capacity may have lead to considerable delays in urgent and semi-elective surgical interventions. In addition to the risk of worsening patient care, we anticipate severe financial damage to the clinics in 2020 and beyond. National and supranational planning is urgently needed to ensure the surgical care of patients during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

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Needs assessment for a curriculum for difficult conversations -A survey from 5 Chinese accredited neurology residency training programs

10.21203/rs.2.17438/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Lixin Zhou ◽

Bo Wu ◽

Liyong Wu ◽

Xin Cheng ◽

Bo Hu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Residency Training ◽

Online Survey ◽

Training Programs ◽

Unmet Need ◽

Skills Training ◽

Current Status ◽

Teaching Hospitals ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Difficult Conversations ◽

Previous Training

Abstract Background: Communication skill is a core competency in neurology residency training. Specific training in this area at the residency level is often lacking, especially regarding difficult conversations. The aim of this study is to evaluate the current state in teaching residents about difficult conversations in 5 Chinese accredit neurology residency training programs and determine whether there is a perceived need for a formalized curriculum in this field. Methods: An anonymous, 27-question, cross-sectional online survey addressing difficult conversations for neurological residents were distributed to five grade-A, class-3 hospitals selected from the affiliated teaching hospitals of medical schools qualified to provide neurology residency training in China. Results: A total of 182 residents responded to the survey, and the response rate was 67.16% (182/271). Of the participants, 84.6% were female and the average age was 26.8 years. The majority of respondent residents (n=168; 92.31%) reported being exposed to at least one difficult conversation in their medical careers. Only 43 (23.63%) participants reported having previously received formal communication skills training. In comparison with residents without previous training, those with previous training indicated significantly more confidence（P=0.003）and were under lower pressure（P=0.037）in managing difficult conversations. Only 97 (53.3%) residents indicated interest in receiving formal training. Time, lack of enthusiasm, lack of educational materials and faculty expertise were commonly cited barriers to formalized training. Conclusion: This survey provides a preliminary assessment of the current status of education on the topic of difficult conversations in five accredit Chinese neurology residency training programs. Our results suggest that there is an unmet need to further develop and implement educational activities by teaching residents to lead difficult conversations. Future efforts should be made to establish and promote standard and targeted communication curriculum in difficult conversation for Chinese neurological residents.

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Telemedicine in Germany During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Multi-Professional National Survey (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.19745 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Arne Peine ◽

Pia Paffenholz ◽

Lukas Martin ◽

Sandra Dohmen ◽

Gernot Marx ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Online Survey ◽

Information Quality ◽

Health Care Systems ◽

Public Information ◽

Current Status ◽

Medical Professionals ◽

Care Providers ◽

University Hospitals

BACKGROUND In an effort to contain the effects of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, health care systems worldwide implemented telemedical solutions to overcome staffing, technical, and infrastructural limitations. In Germany, a multitude of telemedical systems are already being used, while new approaches are rapidly being developed in response to the crisis. However, the extent of the current implementation within different health care settings, the user’s acceptance and perception, as well as the hindering technical and regulatory obstacles remain unclear. OBJECTIVE The aim of this paper is to assess the current status quo of the availability and routine use of telemedical solutions, user acceptance, and the subjectively perceived burdens on telemedical approaches. Furthermore, we seek to assess the perception of public information quality among professional groups and their preferred communication channels. METHODS A national online survey was conducted on 14 consecutive days in March and April 2020, and distributed to doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals in the German language. RESULTS A total of 2827 medical professionals participated in the study. Doctors accounted for 65.6% (n=1855) of the professionals, 29.5% (n=833) were nursing staff, and 4.9% (n=139) were identified as others such as therapeutic staff. A majority of participants rated the significance of telemedicine within the crisis as high (1065/2730, 39%) or neutral (n=720, 26.4%); however, there were significant differences between doctors and nurses (P=.01) as well as between the stationary sector compared to the ambulatory sector (P<.001). Telemedicine was already in routine use for 19.6% (532/2711) of German health care providers and in partial use for 40.2% (n=1090). Participants working in private practices (239/594, 40.2%) or private clinics (23/59, 39.0%) experienced less regulatory or technical obstacles compared to university hospitals (586/1190, 49.2%). A majority of doctors rated the public information quality on COVID-19 as good (942/1855, 50.8%) or very good (213/1855, 11.5%); nurses rated the quality of public information significantly lower (P<.001). Participant’s age negatively correlated with the perception of telemedicine’s significance (ρ=–0.23; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS Telemedicine has a broad acceptance among German medical professionals. However, to establish telemedical structures within routine care, technical and regulatory burdens must be overcome.

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Stressful experiences impact on pain, fatigue and mental health in people with endometriosis: a questionnaire study during the COVID-19 pandemic

10.22541/au.162500834.44230862/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Lysia Demetriou ◽

Christian Becker ◽

Beatriz Martínez-Burgo ◽

Adriana Invitti ◽

Marina Kvaskoff ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Effect Size ◽

Online Survey ◽

Current Status ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Holistic Management ◽

Stressful Experiences ◽

The Impact

Objective To explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pain and fatigue symptoms and their interactions with the impact on mental health in people with endometriosis. Design Global cross-sectional survey. Setting Online survey. Sample A total of 4717 adults with a surgical or radiological diagnosis of endometriosis. Methods An online global study collected data in 5 languages between 11th May to 8th June 2020. The survey included questions on current-status and changes of endometriosis-symptoms, mental health, demographics, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the respondents’ lives. Main Outcome Measures Self-reported changes to endometriosis-associated symptoms (pelvic pain, tiredness/fatigue, bleeding) and to mental health during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results Respondents reported a marked worsening of their endometriosis symptoms (endo-associated pain (39.3%; 95% CI [37.7, 40.5]), tiredness/fatigue (49.9%; 95% CI [48.4, 51.2]) and bleeding (39.6%; 95% CI [38.2, 41])) and mental health (38.6%; 95% CI [37.2, 39.9]). Those with a pre-existing mental health diagnosis (38.8%) were more negatively impacted. The worsening of pain and TF were significantly correlated with worsening of mental health (p<0.001) and these relationships were found to be weakly mediated by pain catastrophising scores (pain: effect size: 0.071, LLCI= 0.060, ULCI= 0.082, TF: effect size: 0.050, LLCI= 0.040, ULCI= 0.060). Conclusions This study demonstrates that stressful experiences impact the physical and mental health of people with endometriosis. The findings highlight the need to consider psychological approaches in the holistic management of people with endometriosis.

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Inclusion of Dancer Wellness Education Programs in U.S. Colleges and Universities: A 20-Year Update

Journal of Dance Medicine & Science ◽

10.12678/1089-313x.24.2.73 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 24 (2) ◽

pp. 73-87

Author(s):

Marita K. Cardinal ◽

Kim A. Rogers ◽

Bradley J. Cardinal

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Graduate Program ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Colleges And Universities ◽

Current Status ◽

Wellness Program ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Wellness Education ◽

Sampling Procedures ◽

Dance Medicine

During the 1990s dancer wellness education began to be codified and understood empirically in U.S. colleges and universities. Those efforts stemmed from a burgeoning knowledge base in dance medicine and science that continues to evolve. However, the current status of dancer wellness education remains largely undocumented. The purpose of this study was to explore the inclusion of dancer wellness education in U.S. colleges and universities. The results were derived from a cross-sectional study of 199 higher education dance administrators at 4-year institutions that were selected using stratified random sampling procedures with data collected through an online survey. Seventy-two participants (36.18%) completed at least part of the survey, and of those 62 (86.11%) completed the entire survey. The majority of dance programs were undergraduate-only (71%), not accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance (67%), and emphasized dance performance and choreography (89%). Sixty percent offered a formal dancer wellness program, 70% had at least one dancer wellness specialist on faculty, and 20% offered training programs to become dancer wellness specialists. Fewer than half (42.19%) preferred their faculty to have college or university level study in dancer wellness, and only 17.19% required it. Of 11 possible curricular topics, the typical undergraduate program included 64.52% and the typical graduate program 51.87%. Regardless of program level, the top five topics were anatomy, kinesiology, somatics, dance conditioning, and dance injuries. The average school offered 58% of identified supplementary programs at "high levels." Only modest differences were found between programs based on degree level, accreditation status, or program affiliation. Although some positive trends in the evolution of dancer wellness education have occurred over the last two decades, there remains a need for ongoing advocacy and widespread implementation in U.S. colleges and universities.

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The Potential Labor Supply: A Cross-Sectional Estimation Method

Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics ◽

10.1017/s0081305200012966 ◽

1976 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 143-147

Author(s):

John R. Stoll

Keyword(s):

Labor Force ◽

Labor Force Participation ◽

Economic Activity ◽

Local Population ◽

Estimation Method ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Participation Rate ◽

Population Characteristics ◽

Current Status ◽

Cross Sectional

This paper addresses conceptual inadequacies of standard labor force and unemployment statistics for the purpose of representing relative stocks of available labor among regions. It attempts to rectify some of these inadequacies by applying relatively simple statistical adjustments. These are based on secondary data relating to local population characteristics and national participation rate norms.Current criteria used to determine labor force participation depend on solicited statements regarding attempts of an individual to secure employment, or his current status as a gainfully employed person. Using labor force participation as defined by these criteria, it has been observed that labor-force size varies directly with level of economic activity and demand for labor over time. During periods in which unemployment rises, the size of the labor force normally declines.

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