[Germany-Wide Survey on Networking and Cooperation Between Rehabilitation and Self-Help (VERS 2.0): An Overview of Opinions, Contacts and Cooperation of Rehabilitation Institutions in View of Self-Help]. / Deutschlandweite Befragung zur Vernetzung und Kooperation von Rehabilitation und Selbsthilfe (VERS 2.0): Ein Überblick über Meinungen, Kontakte und Kooperationen von Rehabilitationseinrichtungen in Bezug auf Selbsthilfe.

PURPOSE: The study aims to present opinions and knowledge of rehabilitation facilities in Germany about self-help (SH) and to identify initial structures and contacts in the networking of rehabilitation and SH. METHODS: The study is a quantitative observational study. The data were collected cross-sectionally by means of an online survey. Rehabilitation facilities in Germany were included. The convenience sample was collected using different approaches. The questionnaire is based on the survey on "Cooperation and networking of rehabilitation facilities and self-help groups/self-help organisations" (VERS) conducted by the University of Freiburg in 2002. RESULTS: 101 rehabilitation facilities across all 16 German federal states took part in the survey. The survey revealed a positive attitude towards SH and a high proportion of rehabilitation facilities that regularly inform about SH (76.2%) and maintain contacts with self-help associations/self-help clearing houses (74.3%). Information deficits regarding the specific experiences of self-help associations, the working and organisational forms of SH as well as the support opportunities of SH became apparent. CONCLUSION: To strengthen the networking of rehabilitation and SH, information gaps should be closed and transparency and structural conditions for cooperation should be created. The stronger integration of knowledge about SH in educational structures in the health sector, which is desired by the institutions, can be purposeful in the future.

Digitization in health-related self-help - Results of an online survey among self-help organizations in Germany.

Background: Nowadays, much hope and expectations are associated with digitization in the health sector. The digital change also affects health-related self-help. A nationwide survey of self-help organizations (SHOs) aimed to show chances and limitations in the use of interactive IT tools like webforums, online meetings or social media as well as digital infrastructures for their organizational management. In this survey, we also determined whether SHO staff themselves have support and qualification needs with regard to this topic. Design: The online survey was conducted between 14 November and 8 December 2019, i.e., immediately before the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. The questionnaire consisted of 50 questions consisting of 180 single items which could be answered in 30-40 min. After two reminder letters, 119 questionnaires of the SHOs were gathered and analysed. Results: SHOs already have a lot of experience with digital media/tools (e.g., own homepage, social media, cloud computing). Some tools are attested a "high" or "very high" benefit by more than 80% of users. Perceived benefits, however, are also facing a number of problems, ranging from lack of resources to data protection issues. Despite, or even because of the limits of digitization, there is great desire and need for support and further training in SHOs (and self-help groups). Conclusions: At many points in the survey it was shown that digital media can be a useful extension of "traditional" collective self-help. Taking into account the risks and limitations associated with digital tools, SHOs can be central stakeholders in digitization in health-related self-help. Patient or Public Contribution: The study was financially supported by the Federal Ministry of Health, Germany. A detailed representation of the results is publicly available at: https://www.uke.de/dish.