Der Anaesthesist
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The amendment to the higher education act ("Hochschulrahmengesetz") of 1998 postulates an evaluation of teaching for quality assurance. Hence, in the winter semester of 2004 the University Medical Center of Bonn introduced a semester questionnaire for students to evaluate the quality of teaching (EVALON). This evaluation is designed to be an objective benchmarking tool which is used for the distribution of university funds. It is also a steering instrument for direct improvement of teaching in clinical subjects. The aim of this study was to investigate, whether EVALON improved the quality of teaching between 2006 and 2010 and whether the department of anesthesiology improved its ranking in comparison with the other participating institutes. ⋯ The reorganization of teaching anesthesiology, directly controlled by the results of EVALON improved the ranking of the department of anesthesiology. There was also a concomitant increase of the performance-oriented allocation of funds assigned to the department of anesthesiology based on the EVALON results.
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Anesthesiologists have a well-known increased risk of substance abuse including the intravenous administration of opioids and propofol. However, katamnestic reports from the point of view of propofol-addicted anesthesiologists themselves are missing which would aid a better understanding of the dynamics and progress of addiction. ⋯ This case shows exemplarily in accordance with the current literature that warning signs in addicted physicians are often ignored by colleagues and supervisors and rehabilitation is possible under professional therapy and continuous surveillance. Additionally, this case emphasizes the necessity of controlling the distribution of propofol to reduce the life-threatening professional risk to anesthesiologists.
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Case Reports
[Tuberculous encephalitis, Landouzy sepsis and Pott's disease: complications after surgery for spinal stenosis].
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease with a decreasing incidence in Germany. In particular, the occurrence of reinfections and possible complications associated with this disease, such as tuberculous meningitis/encephalitis and Landouzy sepsis are rare in industrial countries. ⋯ Additionally, the patient developed sepsis and meningitis. At this time an infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis could be detected in both cerebrospinal fluid and abscess material of the spine suggesting a Landouzy sepsis, tuberculous meningitis/encephalitis and the suspicion of an underlying Pott's disease.
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Demographic changes in Germany are leading towards a decrease of the population from the current 82 million to 74 million in the year 2050. As a consequence the shortage of qualified staff will be aggravated and intensifying recruiting efforts will increase competition among employers. An alternative is to utilize the potential of jobholders older than 55 years, the so-called generation 55 +. However, little is known about the hospital workforce generation 55 +. ⋯ Generation 55 + is not asking for an upscaled position in hospitals. They expect respect and appreciation for their sound experience of work and life. Generation 55 + wants to be integrated and sought after. Keeping these employees fit, motivated and qualified is a sound approach to fight the foreseeable shortage of qualified staff in hospitals.