Überlegungen zum Kongreß “Medikamentöse Schmerztherapie” in Berlin

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Doctors' perceptions of why 360-degree feedback does (not) work: a qualitative study

Objectives Delivery of 360‐degree feedback is widely used in revalidation programmes. However, little has been done to systematically identify the variables that influence whether or not performance improvement is actually achieved after such assessments. This study aims to explore which factors represent incentives, or disincentives, for consultants to implement suggestions for improvement from 360‐degree feedback. Methods In 2007, 109 consultants in the Netherlands were assessed using 360‐degree feedback and portfolio learning. We carried out a qualitative study using semi‐structured interviews with 23 of these consultants, purposively sampled based on gender, hospital, work experience, specialty and views expressed in a previous questionnaire. A grounded theory approach was used to analyse the transcribed tape‐recordings. Results We identified four groups of factors that can influence consultants’ practice improvement after 360‐degree feedback: (i) contextual factors related to workload, lack of openness and social support, lack of commitment from hospital management, free‐market principles and public distrust; (ii) factors related to feedback; (iii) characteristics of the assessment system, such as facilitators and a portfolio to encourage reflection, concrete improvement goals and annual follow‐up interviews, and (iv) individual factors, such as self‐efficacy and motivation. Conclusions It appears that 360‐degree feedback can be a positive force for practice improvement provided certain conditions are met, such as that skilled facilitators are available to encourage reflection, concrete goals are set and follow‐up interviews are carried out. This study underscores the fact that hospitals and consultant groups should be aware of the existing lack of openness and absence of constructive feedback. Consultants indicated that sharing personal reflections with colleagues could improve the quality of collegial relationships and heighten the chance of real performance improvement.     

Is there a business case for quality in The Netherlands? A critical analysis of the recent reforms of the health care system

Major reforms of the health insurance system and reimbursement systems for care providers are currently taking place in The Netherlands. These market-oriented health care reforms will transform the current central supply-driven system to a system of managed competition both among health care insurers and care providers. The reforms are not systematically linked to the discussions about quality of care and together with consumers who might be more interested in lower premiums; they offer almost no incentive for health care insurers and providers to steer on quality. Dutch policy makers should, therefore, be more explicit whether competition should take place on quality or price, and if the former is the case, additional incentives as part of the system reforms, are needed to create a business case for quality.     

HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA PRESENTING AS A SEPTICAEMIA-LIKE ILLNESS IN AN AFRICAN ADOLESCENT

SUMMARY Although primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) is quite common in adults in Africa, it is very rare in those under 25. The clinical diagnosis is usually straightforward by the time patients present and it is unusual to encounter differential diagnostic problems. We report an unusual clinical manifestation of PHC at the very young age of 15 years. The case presented clinically as a septicaemia-like illness that was initially thought to be typhoid. The patient died within 72h of presentation and the true diagnosis was only made at post-mortem. This case simultaneously highlights several problems commonly encountered in medicine in the developing world: late presentation, self-medication, and investigative and diagnostic difficulties related to inadequate facilities.     

Heterogeneity of the T-cell receptor delta gene indicating subclone formation in acute precursor B-cell leukemias

Precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias (B-ALLs) have been shown to be oligoclonal at the Ig heavy-chain (IgH) gene level in up to 40% of cases by Southern blot hybridization. In contrast, oligoclonality as deduced from diversity of T-cell receptor (TcR)-delta gene rearrangements of the immature types (ie, V delta 2-D delta 3, D delta 2-D delta 3) has not been reported, so far. We detected oligoclonality characterized by the coexistence of different junctional regions of identical V delta 2-D delta 3 rearrangements in four childhood precursor B-ALLs. No variation was found in the IgH gene status. Therefore, we define these populations as subclones. Two leukemias displayed the variants in an unequal proportion. In the other two leukemias, for which similar quantities of the coexisting rearrangements were detected, single cell-nuclei polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showed two separate leukemic populations. Subclone formation could not be demonstrated by Southern blot hybridization, but was detectable after PCR amplification of the V delta 2-D delta 3 rearrangement and separation by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The variants arose independently from each other, as deduced from their individual sequences. Using subclone-specific oligonucleotides for hybridization to amplified DNA obtained at diagnosis and during follow- up from bone marrow samples, we demonstrate, (1) specificity of all subclone-deduced probes, (2) that one residual leukemic cell can be detected in 10(4) to 10(5) normal mononuclear cells in a semiquantitative assay, and (3) that none of the subclones persisted after induction therapy. We propose that in a leukemic cell population, TcR-delta gene diversity arises after rearrangements of the IgH genes resulting in apparent clonality at the IgH gene level. However, cells are oligoclonal, if the TcR-delta gene rearrangements are considered. As various subclones may respond differently to chemotherapy, they may hamper the detection of minimal residual disease. Therefore, we use all subclone-specific oligonucleotides for hybridization to amplified DNA from follow-up samples.     

Contemporary surgical treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism without intraoperative parathyroid hormone measurement

Introduction

Primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) is usually the result of a single adenoma that can often be accurately located preoperatively and excised by a focused operation. Intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) measurement is used occasionally to detect additional abnormal glands. However, it remains controversial as to whether IOPTH monitoring is necessary. This study presents the results of a large series of focused parathyroidectomy without IOPTH measurement.

Methods

Data from 2003 to 2014 were collected on 180 consecutive patients who underwent surgical treatment for pHPT by a single surgeon. Preoperative ultrasonography and sestamibi imaging was performed routinely, with computed tomography (CT) and/or selective venous sampling in selected cases. The preferred procedure for single gland disease was a focused lateral approach guided by on-table surgeon performed ultrasonography. Frozen section was used selectively and surgical cure was defined as normocalcaemia at the six-month follow-up appointment.

Results

Focused surgery was undertaken in 146 patients (81%) and 97% of these cases had concordant results with two imaging modalities. In all cases, an abnormal gland was discovered at the predetermined site. Of the 146 patients, 132 underwent a focused lateral approach (11 of which were converted to a collar incision), 10 required a collar incision and 4 underwent a mini-sternotomy. At 6 months following surgery, 142 patients were normocalcaemic (97% primary cure rate). Three of the four treatment failures had subsequent surgery and are now biochemically cured. There were no complications or cases of persistent hypocalcaemia.

Conclusions

This study provides further evidence that in the presence of concordant preoperative imaging, IOPTH measurement can be safely omitted when performing focused parathyroidectomy for most cases of pHPT.