Dtsch Arztebl Int
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Amantadine, oseltamivir, and zanamivir are currently available in Germany for the prevention and treatment of influenza. We review their efficacy and side-effect profiles. ⋯ The benefits of antiviral drugs, particularly neuraminidase inhibitors, outweigh their risks. In deciding whether to use them, physicians should consider the properties of the currently circulating viruses and the patient's individual risk constellation, as directed in clinical treatment recommendations.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The Effectiveness of a Stress Reduction and Burnout Prevention Program.
Chronic psychological distress appears to have increased in recent years, mainly among the working population. The data available indicate that mental and behavioral disorders, including burnout syndrome, represent not only a personal problem for those afflicted, but also a serious public health issue. This study aimed at evaluating the effects of an outpatient burnout prevention program in a mono-center health resort setting. ⋯ The program proved to be effective in reducing perceived stress, emotional exhaustion and other targets. Future research should examine the long-term impact of the program and the effect of occasional refresher training.
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Patients in environmental medicine often want a thorough diagnostic evaluation of nonspecific symptoms. Unconventional testing, as well as conventional testing for indications other than the established ones, can lead to false diagnoses and, in turn, to substantial emotional, social, and financial harm. The goal of this single-center study was to assess inappropriate diagnostic testing among the patients of a specialized university outpatient clinic for environmental medicine. ⋯ An appreciable number of patients in environmental medicine were subjected to inappropriate diagnostic testing. When this happens, proper testing often needs to be done thereafter in order to confirm or refute the findings. This phenomenon should be more thoroughly assessed and quantified.
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Conflicting information about the proper treatment of head lice has given rise to uncertainty among patients and treating personnel. For example, the reported efficacy of permethrin fell from 97% in the 1990s to 30% in 2010. ⋯ Outbreaks of head lice can be successfully terminated by synchronous treatment with ovicidal dimethicones.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Interprofessional Medication Management in Patients With Multiple Morbidities.
Medication reviews and medication management are being used more and more around the world to improve medication safety. Both of these tools were originally conceived as pharmaceutical care activities and have recently been developed into interdisciplinary approaches. We studied the efficacy of interprofessional medication management for multimorbid patients that takes their medical conditions, but also their general living situation into account. ⋯ In this study, interprofessional collaboration increased medication safety. Working across disciplinary boundaries allowed for a decrease in drugrelated problems and brought up aspects outside the purview of the primary care physician.