Der Anaesthesist
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Randomized Controlled Trial
["Jump in at the deep end" : Simulator-based learning in acute care.]
With high-fidelity simulators in a modern blended learning setting, students are able to acquire knowledge and practical skills in acute medicine in realistic scenarios. However, it has not yet been clarified if the sequence of linking between knowledge and simulator-based training of practical skills plays an important role for increasing knowledge, for the self-concept and learning emotions of trainees. ⋯ In the context of simulation-based teaching, the learning outcome not only depends on knowledge, practical skills and motivational variables but also on the presence of negative feelings, ability self-concepts and various personality traits. There was a trend which showed that simulation in the field of anesthesiology and emergency medicine should be set up with the theoretical basis first in order to avoid negative feelings.
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How do physicians in the specialty of anesthesiology perceive the working conditions regarding stress and job satisfaction? The health system in Germany has been confronted with a rapidly changing framework over the last 20 years: For example, an increased influence of economic patterns on the workflow and the medical decision of physicians has been established forcing them to always take the economic aspects into account. Moreover, a new generation (generation Y) of physicians with other requirements of the work place, meaning mainly a demand for a better work-life balance, has gained a foothold in hospitals. These changes make it very important to investigate the status quo of current working conditions. ⋯ This study revealed a high prevalence of unfavorable working conditions for anesthetists in hospitals. Taking the forthcoming shortage of qualified physicians in German hospitals into account, these results have to be considered as a cause for concern. Constant unfavorable working conditions have a negative effect on the mental and physical health of employees. Sooner or later a migration of qualified physicians abroad could be the consequence. To prevent a future shortage of qualified physicians and to make the hospital work place more appealing, working conditions have to be adapted to current needs and expectations of employees. The focus should be put on balanced working conditions according to stress models shown in this study.
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Hemophilia A and hemophilia B are X chromosome-linked congenital bleeding disorders caused by a deficiency or absence of activity of coagulation factor VIII (hemophilia A) or factor IX (hemophilia B), which are graded in different degrees of severity (mild, moderate, severe). Depending on the severity patients may experience spontaneous bleeding episodes or will develop excessive bleeding in the context of injuries or surgery. Hemophilia should not be a contraindication for an invasive procedure; however, a number of conditions are required to provide successful surgery and an uncomplicated and safe postoperative course. This review provides an overview of hemophilia and the key biochemical laboratory and clinical aspects as well as possible specific and non-specific treatment options and addresses the special needs for the perioperative care of these patients.
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Chronic pain affects approximately 20 % of adults worldwide and is often associated with a decrease in the quality of life and various comorbidities. Conventional analgesic therapies are frequently insufficient and sometimes lead to severe side effects. ⋯ Epigenetic mechanisms which interfere with the regulation of gene expression are involved in the pathogenesis of several diseases and are gaining increasing impetus in medical research. As they are also involved in pain processing, a modulation of these mechanisms might represent a novel option for the therapy of pain patients.
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Mechanical ventilation is a life-saving intervention for patients with respiratory failure or during deep sedation. During continuous mandatory ventilation the diaphragm remains inactive, which activates pathophysiological cascades leading to a loss of contractile force and muscle mass (collectively referred to as ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction, VIDD). In contrast to peripheral skeletal muscles this process is rapid and develops after as little as 12 h and has a profound influence on weaning patients from mechanical ventilation as well as increased incidences of morbidity and mortality. ⋯ Levosimendan has also been proven to increase diaphragm contractile forces in humans which may prove to be helpful for patients experiencing difficult weaning. Additionally, antioxidant drugs that scavenge reactive oxygen species have been demonstrated to protect the diaphragm from VIDD in several animal studies. The translation of these drugs into the IUC setting might protect patients from VIDD and facilitate the weaning process.