Versicherungsmedizin / herausgegeben von Verband der Lebensversicherungs-Unternehmen e.V. und Verband der Privaten Krankenversicherung e.V
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Traffic accidents with bicycles are very frequent, since bicycling has become increasingly popular as a means of transportation and a sports instrument. Therefore, there are many bicycling victims in casualty hospitals. ⋯ Wearing helmets by motorcyclists has clearly reduced the severity and frequency of head injuries since it became compulsory. A legislative initiative for wearing bicycle helmets as well ist therefore necessary.
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A growing number of innovative, high-cost drugs call for assessment from social medicine. Synthetic human growth hormone (somatropin, STH) is a prominent example. The use of STH in children greatly increased over the last few years. ⋯ Off-label use of STH is widespread. The following questions arise: Is STH treatment medically necessary? Must social security (health insurance) carriers pay for STH treatment? Which methods are appropriate to analyse growth and to ascertain growth hormone deficiency? The stated target of STH treatment is a relevant increase of body height. Is this target achieved in the various indications? Special problems arise where psychosocial considerations are put forward.
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Whiplash injuries of the cervical spine probably are much too often complained of, certified and compensated. Many of these injuries arise from suggestion and/or deliberate simulation. The difficulty of verifying minor whiplash injuries is well known and used widespread, to try gaining compensation from the insurance companies. ⋯ If it is not possible to get reproducible evidence of an injury caused by the accident this must clearly be stated. Therapy should impose early return to normal life-style, a soft collar is obsolete and sick leave is in contradiction to the routine rarely needed. The current way how the insurance companies compensate encourages the symptoms and needs to be revised.