ABSTRACT
Due to heavy workloads and shortage of staff, doctors often find it difficult to explain operations to their patients with the legally required detail and timing (in Germany, 24 h preop). This is however mandatory for obtaining informed consent. We developed a computer program that generates films explaining 24 common orthopedic operations and blood transfusion. They explain the operation, early postoperative phase, and benefits and risks to the patient. At our clinic, this program is used in daily routine and precedes the actual doctor-patient conversation for informed consent. We asked 300 patients about their satisfaction with the newly developed program. The multimedia presentation gives the patient more time, enough detail and clarity, and the chance to repeat parts of the film. For the doctor, it saves time. The time gap required in Germany between explanation and operation is thus easily adhered to. In case of legal problems, the film can be used for evidence. The use of this multimedia presentation to help in getting informed consent is improving workflow considerably.
Subject(s)
Computer-Assisted Instruction , Elective Surgical Procedures/education , Multimedia , Orthopedic Procedures/education , Patient Education as Topic/methods , Preoperative Care , Computer-Assisted Instruction/legislation & jurisprudence , Documentation/methods , Germany , Humans , Informed Consent/legislation & jurisprudence , Malpractice/legislation & jurisprudence , Patient Education as Topic/legislation & jurisprudence , Patient Satisfaction , Physician-Patient Relations , Preoperative Care/legislation & jurisprudence , Quality Assurance, Health Care/legislation & jurisprudence , Reoperation , Risk Management , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Integral cooperation of a clinical psychologist or psychotherapist in an internal medicine rehabilitation clinic is required because the presence of (contributory) psychic causes is evident beyond any doubt in numerous complaint syndromes. Regrettably, decision-making bodies frequently fail to acknowledge the necessity of competent psychological help. Various activities have developed as specific psychotherapeutic tasks, among them individual interviewing and above all group work (client-centered psychotherapy, staff-client meetings, health education, autogenic relaxation training, creativity therapy, biofeedback, and so on). Client-centered psychotherapy indications are outlined. Medical psychology, psychotherapy, and psychosomatic aspects of disease concepts must not be ignored if major concerns in medial rehabilitation and inpatient rehabilitative treatment programmes are to be dealt with effectively.
