Reinhard Lindner1,2. 1. Medizinisch-Geriatrische Klinik, Albertinen-Haus, Zentrum für Geriatrie und Gerontologie, Wissenschaftliche Einrichtung, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Deutschland. Reinhard.Lindner@uni-kassel.de. 2. Fachbereich Humanwissenschaften, Institut für Sozialwesen, FG Theorie, Empirie und Methoden der Sozialen Therapie, Universität Kassel, Arnold-Bode-Str. 10, 34127, Kassel, Deutschland. Reinhard.Lindner@uni-kassel.de.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Geriatric and psychosomatic medicine follow a biopsychosocial paradigm. Despite this similar "Menschenbild" in general, collaboration between geriatrics and psychosomatics is still rare. OBJECTIVES: This comparative interventional study aims to find possible effects of psychosomatic work in geriatrics on the interaction between patients and nursing staff and contentment of patients with treatment in general. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the period of one year 238 geriatric patients (return rate 22.2%) of the intervention ward (psychosomatic consultation-/liaison service) and the control ward (TAU) were investigated with an anonymized questionnaire. Two questions were evaluated, concerning the patients trust in the nurses and their experience of being able to speak with them about their anxieties and concerns. This is interpreted as an indicator for the advancement of patients' contentment with treatment. RESULTS: In comparison with the control ward during the intervention the answers to both questions showed an increasing trust in the nurses and an increasing experience of speaking about anxieties and concerns with the nurses. This is evaluated as some evidence for the promotion of the patients' contentment with the treatment CONCLUSION: A psychosomatic consultation-/liaison service in geriatric medicine generates a positive effect on the relationship between patients and nursing staff, especially concerning trust and acceptance in existential situations of illness and limitation in hospital.
BACKGROUND: Geriatric and psychosomatic medicine follow a biopsychosocial paradigm. Despite this similar "Menschenbild" in general, collaboration between geriatrics and psychosomatics is still rare. OBJECTIVES: This comparative interventional study aims to find possible effects of psychosomatic work in geriatrics on the interaction between patients and nursing staff and contentment of patients with treatment in general. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the period of one year 238 geriatric patients (return rate 22.2%) of the intervention ward (psychosomatic consultation-/liaison service) and the control ward (TAU) were investigated with an anonymized questionnaire. Two questions were evaluated, concerning the patients trust in the nurses and their experience of being able to speak with them about their anxieties and concerns. This is interpreted as an indicator for the advancement of patients' contentment with treatment. RESULTS: In comparison with the control ward during the intervention the answers to both questions showed an increasing trust in the nurses and an increasing experience of speaking about anxieties and concerns with the nurses. This is evaluated as some evidence for the promotion of the patients' contentment with the treatment CONCLUSION: A psychosomatic consultation-/liaison service in geriatric medicine generates a positive effect on the relationship between patients and nursing staff, especially concerning trust and acceptance in existential situations of illness and limitation in hospital.
Authors: Mallika Lavakumar; Emily D Gastelum; Tse-Hwei Choo; Jonathan S Gerkin; Debra Kahn; Seonjoo Lee; Stephen E Nicolson; Lisa J Rosenthal; Ann C Schwartz; Marie B Tobin; Ralph N Wharton; Peter A Shapiro Journal: Psychosomatics Date: 2015-02-16 Impact factor: 2.386