Der Schmerz
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Multicenter Study
[Patients with pain in outpatient care : A nationwide cross-sectional survey with path model].
There is limited knowledge on the degree of pain and pain-related impairments in home care clients. This study was carried out to provide data on the prevalence of pain and pain-related impairments in home care patients and to investigate the impact on activities of daily living and on classification into the three levels of care as defined by the statutory German long-term care insurance. ⋯ Even though the majority of home care clients in this representative study suffered from pain, the degree of pain intensity only becomes an issue in home care if it concurs with impairments in daily living and a corresponding classification to higher levels of care dependency. These findings suggest that pain and pain management should receive more attention in home care, irrespective of observable impairments in daily living. In practice, nurses in home care services should regularly assess the level of pain intensity among home care clients and the results of these regular pain assessments should be taken into account for the identification of individual care needs.
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Until recently the measurement of pain in cognitively impaired patients represented a neglected field in the diagnostics and treatment of pain. Investigations indicate a prevalence of pain in nursing home residents of between 45 % and 80 %. ⋯ The Doloshort scale is a well suited measurement instrument for the evaluation of pain in cognitively impaired patients. Because of the short form only simple instructions are necessary and it has a high acceptance with users.
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Comparative Study
[Treatment of elderly with chronic pain in geriatric care and pain therapy facilities in Germany : Survey results].
Even though there are no satisfactory data available on the prevalence of chronic pain in the elderly, it is certainly a common problem in Germany. The goal of this study is to provide information on the treatment of elderly patients with chronic pain in geriatric care and pain therapy facilities in Germany. ⋯ Due to the differences between geriatric and pain management departments shown in all investigated areas, an exchange between these two cross-sectional subjects could help to improve inpatient, outpatient and intersectoral treatment of elderly patients with chronic pain.