[Adaptation of parents to the diagnosis of a chronic disease in their child]. / Adaptation von Eltern an eine chronische Erkrankung ihres Kindes nach der Diagnosestellung.

The course and the adaptivity of parental coping with a chronical disease in their child (leukemia, solid tumors, diabetes or epilepsy) was studied during the first three months after diagnosis. 66 parents answered questionnaires to their coping and their quality of life as well as to the perceived quality of life of their children 1-2 weeks and again 8-12 weeks after diagnosis. As coping was stable, the parents' and children's quality of life increased over time. Coping strategies using communication and social support improved the physical well-being of the parents. Family orientation and optimism are helpful for parents and children, too, but rumination decreased emotional well-being of the parents. Psychosocial care for families with a chronically ill child should improve open communication and social orientation in an early stage of the disease and should try to change maladaptive cognitive reactions.

[Psychosocial management in the general hospital--a survey of current status exemplified by Baden-Württemberg]. / Psychosoziale Versorgung im Allgemeinkrankenhaus--eine Bestandsaufnahme am Beispiel Baden-Württembergs.

Expert psychosocial care for severely ill people has, time and again, proved both necessary and effective, in particular in the field of oncology. While this fact is reflected by the number of positions allocated to psychosocial care in Paediatric Oncology there remains a grave deficit with regard to adult cancer patients. A survey of all General Hospitals in Baden-Württemberg yields concrete figures in respect of the scarcity of positions available in this area. 149 questionnaires were sent out with a response rate of 78.5% (117). Almost a quarter of the hospitals have no social worker on their staff, and trained psychotherapists are almost unknown. In most cases patients are referred to out-patient institutions and self-help groups. 94 per cent of the respondees considered an improvement in psychosocial support to be necessary, placing particular emphasis on the training and supervision of hospital personnel.